Personal Space Camp - by Julia Cook (Paperback)

About the Book

Louis is back! And this time, he's learning all about personal space. Written with style, wit, and rhythm, Personal Space Camp addresses the complex issue of respect for another person's physical boundaries.

Book Synopsis

Teaching children the concepts of personal space.

Louis is back! And this time, he's learning all about personal space. When Louis, the world's self-proclaimed space expert, is invited to Personal Space Camp by the school principal, he soon learns that personal space really isn't about lunar landings, Saturn's rings, or space ice cream.

Written with style, wit, and rhythm, Personal Space Campaddresses the complex issue of respect for another person's physical boundaries. Told from Louis' perspective, this story is a must have resource for parents, teachers, and counselors who want to communicate the idea of personal space in a manner that connects with kids.

Review Quotes

This is a terrific book to help children understand the need that we all have for personal boundaries. I teach first grade and my students got the point of this story pretty quickly and laughed when Louis, the main character, did not! My students thought it was wildly funny that throughout the principal's camp, Louis thought he was going to "outer" space camp when in reality he was going to "personal" space camp (i.e., he thought he was being measured for a space suit when he was asked to lie down to have someone trace his body to show how much floor space his body took). I especially like the activities that the principal employed with Louis (i.e., the hula hoop to show how much space others need, the body drawings to help illustrate why they ALL can't lie on the floor). I also did these activities with my own students which really brought the point home. Now I regularly overhear my students tell their classmates, "Please be careful, you are entering my personal space." It truly is a book all primary teachers should have in their library.

JAG
First grade teacher

A MUST HAVE for any elementary school counselor or teacher! I am an elementary school counselor and use this book in all of my 1st Grade guidance lessons. The kids love to get inside a real hoola hoop to see what a personal space bubble looks/feels like. Julia Cook's books are great for elementary school counselors!

K. Kelly
School Counselor

Personal space, outer space...What's the difference? In the case of Julia Cook's latest book, the difference is a riot. Let's face it, explaining the concept of personal space to children isn't exactly easy, but as an experienced educator and astute author Julia Cook leads her lovable character Louis, a self-proclaimed space expert, on an enlightening journey of discovery. While this down-to-earth book will serve as your child's very own personal invitation to attend Personal Space Camp, it is also guaranteed to leave you (and anyone else who has any reason to interact with children) laughing your way out of the bookstore.

Laura A. Jana, MD
Associate Director, Boys Town Institute for Child Health Improvement

About the Author

Julia Cook, M.S. is a national award-winning children's author, counselor, and parenting expert. She has presented in thousands of schools nationally and internationally, regularly speaks at education and counseling conferences, and has published children's books on a wide range of character and social development topics. The goal behind Cook's work is to actively involve young people in fun, memorable stories and teach them to become lifelong problem solvers. Inspiration for her books comes from working with children and carefully listening to counselors, parents, and teachers, in order to stay on top of needs in the classroom and at home. Cook has the innate ability to enter the worldview of a child through storybooks, giving children both the "what to say" and the "how to say it."

Carrie Hartman is an award-winning illustrator who's work includes: editorial, children's books and book illustration, character development, advertising, posters, greeting cards, comic books, stationary, and animation projects. She is a graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, where she is currently a member of the design faculty teaching illustration.