Oh, Bother! Someone’s Jealous! by Betty Birney can help children learn the words for feelings. They can learn how feelings influence behavior. Tigger loves hill-bouncing because “that’s what Tiggers do best!” When he is not the best hillbouncer, we learn about jealously. Four friends are enjoying a Spring day when Tigger wants them all to play hill-bouncing. This game is competitive: boing to the top of the hill in only six bounces. This game is not easy or fun for Pooh and Piglet. It is fun for little Roo, who can reach the top of the hill in only four bounces. Tigger feels something ‘bad’ about Roo’s achievement. He no longer feels very bouncy and this feeling prompts him to say the game is stupid and to walk away. Roo is young and confused but Piglet understands that Tigger is jealous. Eeyore provides Tigger with a reality-check. Different friends have different abilities. Christopher Robin mediates the misunderstanding, just as parents need to do for children. Christopher Robin teaches Tigger that a he doesn’t have to be the best at something to be considered a fun friend. Many children will appreciate this message in the highly competitive culture in which we live. This book teaches children to respect and appreciate others, regardless of ability or skill.
