Product Review: Ripple’s Effect {Hardcover} (Age 3+)
Can You Make a Shark Smile Today?
I learned early in life that when you stick up for (what you think is..) the underdog and hold a personal – very clear – definition of right and wrong when it comes to the kind treatment of others that you can’t care about popularity. Bullying is not just a childhood problem and the ‘cool kid’ clique does not magically disappear after middle school so I have had many opportunities to hone my insight. It is not the clique itself that bothered me; it was and is the herd mentality of picking on a person (I always assumed it was to avoid being a target?) that makes me avoid people at times. I never actively sought out to be a mark, but I have never been one to be silent if I saw ‘injustice’ and that kind of conflict it can bring when you speak up is sometimes very hard in terms of the personal fallout. I was that annoying kid that pointed out at the skating rink party (in that grade where you still have to invite all your classmates) that I would not tolerate the other kids throwing quarters at the boy with Down Syndrome because it was not funny to watch him scramble to pick them up and I was left alone to skate with him the entire event. I am still that same person these days but a little more toned down and I have been pleasantly surprised, even in recent years, how it can just take one person to change a situation for the better. It makes me glad to know I can stick to my principles, but relax a little and know that there are really good people out there who will stand up when things are wrong. Ripple’s Effect goes a bit deeper than the usual book about bullying because it really drives home the notion that we choose happiness and we can smile in the face of a bully. Who knows, they may even smile back!
Ripple’s Effect is about a happy and joyful little dolphin named Ripple who has a new home in a pool filled with all kinds of sea creatures: sea turtles, tropical fish, penguins, otters and – gulp – a shark. Not just any shark, a mean bully of a shark that tells Ripple if he continues his happy attitude he might just snap Ripple with his teeth. Shaken and dismayed at all the other animals that are petrified and not playing for fear of the shark, Ripple becomes determined (with some nice reminders from a kind trainer) to not let this bully affect his happy life having fun. The ending is fantastic and shows that there is a lot of power in positivity that can change not just your life, but others around you. Parents, let’s raise our kids to be the ‘positive outliers’ (as noted by the authors) and let them know they are in control! The authors (who, by the way, have very impressive backgrounds!) include a nice section in the back about their research of happiness and its connection with life-long success to drive this point home. Love it!
“Things may not always go our way, but we can choose how we see our world and make it a better place because of who we choose to be.”
Ripple’s Effect {Hardcover} (Age 3+)
List Price: $ 18.95 (currently $14.20!)
Momma's Bacon 
Jeanna,
Thank you for this wonderful review of Ripple’s Effect, and for being such a strong supporter of the “underdog” throughout your life! It takes a strong person to stick to their morals at such a young age, and it is important to encourage children to embrace this strength.
~Cameron
Thank you so much for your comment, Cameron. I completely agree and I love that this book explains that your happiness and sticking towards your principles go together so plainly. It is such a refreshing read!
Lovely review. I think it is very empowering to children to realize that they can affect not just their own lives, but those around them, for better or worse. And thank YOU for being that little girl, and now the woman, who stood up for what you thought was right.
Thank you so much for your comment. I do hope to raise my daughter to stick to her priciples when things are not right regardless of popularity. A book that shows that happiness is not tied to peers is a great lesson for all ages.
Powerful thoughts! Thank you for sharing them with us. I have to agree with your assertion that it only takes “one person to change a situation.” I love that Ripple is a gamer-changer with her smiles. It such a great message for our little people. Thanks again for sharing!
Thank you so much for your comment, Sarah. It is an awesome message for our little people. Let’s keep sharing it!