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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
In Veronica Stanley-Hooper’s children's book The Meanies, a little boy insists that unseen “meanies” in his mouth and hands are causing him to speak harshly and act out at school and at home. After he pulls Riley’s hair, pushes Drew, and refuses to share, his teacher contacts his mother, who takes him to a doctor to find the cause. The doctor cannot find anything unusual, leaving the child to face the same urges when he returns to class and interacts with Kara. At home, his actions begin to affect his mother, and he starts to question whether the meanies truly control him. As another school day unfolds, he becomes aware of the moment just before he acts, where a different choice might be possible, even as the meanies seem to remain close by.
Veronica Stanley-Hooper’s The Meanies is a wonderful picture book, and I love how the story shows difficult-to-understand urges and behavior directly through the point of view of the little boy who is struggling with them. It is unique in showing accountability in a child’s imagination, with impulses that many young readers will recognize. The author writes using rhythmic phrasing and repetition that mirrors how children think and speak, which makes the voice feel natural and easy to follow. Simple sentence patterns paired with playful language create a steady flow that supports read-aloud use in both home and classroom settings. The illustrations bring the meanies to life as colorful, mischievous figures that cling to the child’s body, especially visible on the tongue and hands. Overall, this is the perfect book for young readers and their adult carers looking for a story that addresses different behavior in an understandable and immersive way. Very highly recommended.
