Mimi's Strategy
Illustrated Children's Book Series
I was inspired to write the first book, MIMI’S STRATEGY: What to do when your sister takes your toys, after visiting my granddaughters and realizing that my five-year-old granddaughter needed some practical help in dealing with her two-year-old sister. She needed an alternate strategy to “Stop it! Don’t grab that toy! You must share! Let her play with it! You are the big sister!” It seemed that everyone was upset after these squabbles. The older child was angry, the younger child was crying, and my daughter was extremely frustrated.
I explained the concept of having an alternate strategy to my granddaughter. At five years old she understood it, was able to implement it, and marveled when the plan worked! She was giggling, her sister was laughing, and my daughter was very relieved. The next morning I wrote the story down. It occurred to me that there must be many young families who could benefit from an alternate problem-solving strategy as well. I continued writing more stories for the series, energized by the success of Mimi’s strategies, and because I have yet to meet the child who would prefer a reprimand to a kiss.
Mimi’s strategies are educational and offer young children a universal new way of solving their problems and having their needs met. There are 32 stories in the MIMI’S STRATEGY series to date. The stories are short and simple with the emphasis on the main character’s growth outward in concentric circles from her nuclear family setting to her broader school environment. Learning to think strategically rather than reacting emotionally is a valuable problem solving skill that will empower any child throughout his/her life.
Being resourceful, thinking independently, and behaving assertively are American behavior traits that have been deliberately impeded by decades of leftist public school indoctrination. Leftism encourages passivity, collectivism, and groupthink. Common Core is steering another generation of children toward socialism, rather than motivating them toward critical thinking, individual achievement, American exceptionalism, and the fairness of a meritocracy. The Culture War on America begins in elementary school.
I read several of the stories to my niece’s elementary school classes to field test their appeal, and to establish grades and ages for the target audience. Kindergarten through 3rd grade, ages 5-9 years all loved the stories. The kids started voting on their favorites to determine which story to hear next. Reading the stories aloud launched lively discussions with the children about their own personal experiences, how they had reacted in the past, and how they could choose a different response in the future using MIMI’S STRATEGIES! It was marvelous!
The first ten titles in the series are available in hardback and ebook formats. They can be ordered through any bookstore worldwide and online directly at: Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Click on Book Shelf above to see title listings and view book covers.
ENDORSEMENTS:
—Joan Swirsky, New York-based journalist, author, NY State-certified psychotherapist
MIMI’S STRATEGIES are wonderful stories that teach serious problem-solving skills to young children. Mimi provides the unique balance of love and learning that the wisest teachers in the world are famous for.
—Kristen Sierra-Reisman, elementary school teacher in Florida
MIMI’S STRATEGIES are precious stories that teach valuable coping skills with humor and love. A must for your child’s library.
—Victor Sharpe, author of six books, journalist and contributing editor for several leading websites and magazines
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
MIMI'S STRATEGY: What to do when your sister takes your toys © Linda Goudsmit
Once upon a time there was a little girl named Hildy, who lived in the country with her Mama, her Papa, and her little sister, Francesca.
Hildy loved Francesca and Hildy loved being Francesca’s big sister but SOMETIMES Hildy got into trouble!!
I will tell you why.
Francesca loved Hildy and wanted to be just like Hildy.
Francesca wanted to do whatever Hildy did.
Francesca wanted to go wherever Hildy went.
Francesca wanted to say whatever Hildy said.
Francesca wanted to sing whatever Hildy sang.
…..and read whatever Hildy read.
But most of all Francesca wanted to play with Hildy’s toys!!!
Hildy loved to play with Francesca but Hildy did NOT like it when Francesca took her toys.
What was Hildy supposed to do?
First, Hildy tried grabbing her toy back.
“WHAAAA!!!” Francesca started wailing!!
When Mama heard Francesca crying she ran into the room and said, “Hildy, you are the big sister! You CANNOT grab the toy!!
Next, Hildy tried using her words. “Francesca, that is MY toy you cannot have it.”
“WHAAAA!!!” Francesca started wailing again.
When Mama heard Francesca crying again she ran into the room and said, “Hildy, you are the big sister! You have to share!!”
Then, Hildy tried taking turns.
“WHAAAA!!!” Francesca just kept on screaming, “MINE! MINE! MINE!”
When Mama heard Francesca screaming she ran into the room and said, “Hildy, now you are going into time out!”
Being in time out made Hildy VERY sad and VERY angry. It seemed that no matter how hard Hildy tried she could not get it right.
THEN she remembered Mimi’s STRATEGY!
Mimi was Hildy’s grandmother who lived far, far away in Florida. When Mimi came to visit, she said to Hildy, “Hildy, you need a STRATEGY!”
“What is a strategy, Mimi?”
“A strategy is a plan, darling.”
“What is my plan, Mimi?”
“You love your sister, right?”
“Right, Mimi.”
“When you play with your sister she takes your toys, right?”
“Right Mimi.”
“When you grab them back YOU get into trouble, right?”
“Right, Mimi.”
“Hildy, the next time Francesca takes your toy I want you to STOP and think STRATEGY. Instead of grabbing your toy back I want you to give Francesca a different toy. When you give Francesca a different toy she will let go of your toy. Try it. That is your plan, Hildy.”
The very next day Hildy and Francesca were playing with their toys.
Hildy had her bunny and Francesca had her frog.
Suddenly Francesca reached out and took Hildy’s bunny.
“MINE! MINE! MINE!”
Just as Hildy was about to grab her bunny back she STOPPED and remembered Mimi’s STRATEGY!!
Hildy looked to her right and Hildy looked to her left and Hildy saw Francesca’s ducky.
Hildy picked up the ducky and gave it to Francesca.
“DUCKY! DUCKY!” Francesca picked up her ducky and dropped Hildy’s bunny.
When Mama heard the commotion she ran into the room and hugged and kissed Hildy, “You are such a good big sister Hildy! I am very very proud of you!”
Hildy was SO happy!
When Hildy used her new STRATEGY she got her toy back, she did not get into trouble, and her Mama was very proud of her!
So, if your little sister takes your toys and you end up in trouble I think you should try Mimi’s STRATEGY too.
THE END