School santa book appropriate?

[coffeeandteav]

Am I actually being unreasonable?

Santa came to see my sons class today and they all received a book. They are all 7/8. Son is 7, 8 next summer.

He has recieved this book and doesn't understand it at all. Nor find it engaging. Just strikes me as an odd present for a child struggling in Maths. Maybe for year 6 at a push.

Or is it actually good? Anyone read it?

I actually am. I had asked if the book
was age appropriate seems it is. I had only the picture of it when I posted. Seems it is aimed at 7-9 but wouldn't be interesting for a lot of
Kids. Some yes.

I teach secondary, that's a whole other level of ungrateful. Though I did get a few thanks for Christmas sweets yesterday.

I onve bought my y11's a Mr Man book for their personality and wrote them a leaving message.

I am aware of the effort teachers go too and yes I would always personalise for my class as best I could.

I was going to suggest this. It looks quite an interesting book but, if not your son's cup of tea, there'll be a great choice in the charity shops and children's books are always cheap.

There is nothing wrong with the book. At my child's school, the books are wrapped but not named,.so they just get any book. It's probably the same situation and he just happened to get one he's not that interested in. It's not a big deal.

Anything that has words and is of interest to a child, encourages literacy.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s the guiness book of world records, a joke book, a car manual or a magazine.

If this isn’t your child’s thing then that’s ok but the people who gifted it weren’t to know that.
They can’t get it spot on all of the time.

Some children would absolutely love it and would choose to read it over other types of books.

It was a free gift from Santa.
I hope you don’t give this attitude to your DC because most kids would be very grateful to receive a gift, regardless of what it was.

If they literally don't have a book of their own by school age, then their family must be throwing away all the free books and making an active choice not to have books in the house. It isn't from poverty, and this free book will go where the other free books went. It is not the case that there are lots of humble and deserving waifs just waiting to cherish any random book they are given, if only someone is kind enough to give them some book nobody else really wants.

And when it is wrapped up in Christmas paper and given by Santa, I remain fully convinced that this is a disappointing gift. Like being promised a treat and then given a sprout is worse than not being promised anything.

ALL books or indeed anything that has words can encourage literacy ,

how can you be sure your gift to the teacher and t.a will be perfectly matched to their likes and strengths ?

how would you feel if your teacher gift was criticised on here ?

Why are modern parents never happy with anything?

It’s a gift. If you don’t like it, chuck it in the charity shop bag.

So you’ve bought Mr Men books for your Year 11s before? I do hope you didn’t categorise the kids with negative Mr Men traits like Mr Greedy, Mr Uppity, Mr Smelly, Mr Grumpy, Mr Angry…

I’d argue that the Enterprise book is a perfect title to give to a child struggling with maths, as it takes a different approach to having fun with numbers (through real life application) and therefore helping to encourage your child to enjoy maths & thus engage more with the topic.

And yes, there are definitely families out there who have little to no books in their houses, beyond those brought home through schemes like World Book Day. It’s naïve to think otherwise. For some, books & literacy skills simply aren’t a priority.

I’ve said on a previous post some time ago that _any reading should be encouraged; even a trip to the local shops can be used to familiarise children to letters & words. Likewise it can also be an opportunity for applying real life numeracy skills. House numbers, prices on supermarket shelves, hopscotch markings, even car number plates can help basic numeracy skills.

A book that you as a parent could sit & read together, and explore a different approach to maths can only be a good thing.

I agree @TheYearOfSmallThings

Also only encourages literacy if the child is interested.

Fine if I gave wine to a Tee total but thats fairly mainstream. This wasn't.

Just thought was a strange choice.
Not like was going to complain or anything.

Also received gratefully

Hahha obviously not!

That would be mean it was all nice ones with a personal reason why. One girls so stressful says she still has it and loves it in her memory box

Its aimed at 7-9 year olds so I think its appropriate.

Its a free present from school - most schools are struggling so its not going to be a top of the charts popular book.
Our PTA pay for our Santa books. Its not personalised per class but a bulk buy on age appropriate books usually a 10 for £10 deal we can find. It takes an age to source the books, get them delivered and then wrap the books.

Just be grateful your DS got something. I know alot that do not get anything from schools/PTA funded at Christmas.

I’m sorry that your son wasn’t happy with the book.

We are always grateful when food isn’t used as a gift/treat/reward. Having a child with multiple allergies means facing constant disappointment, especially this time of year. I am constantly making and carrying my own treats around in an effort to substitute all the unsafe food handed out. It’s time consuming and expensive. Free from items aren’t always sourced by schools and aren't suitable for all allergies.

Schools can’t cater to everyone in a situation like this. There was probably a child or parent that was happy to see a book, and not a chocolate coin or biscuit.

I totally understand that.

Think its an odd book and we will donate to someone that will enjoy it. I do understand the food issues though. Particularly in primary.

I think it’s a weird topic for that age too but I’d just take it to the charity shop.

All his mates got a football book. So this is likely why disappointed.

And he didn't understand why Santa would give him this book but he probably won't believe next year anyway.

It's not a very good choice of book. If id been a teacher wrapping books I would have put that to one side as not very suitable.

probably wasn't a teacher but the PTA - and they just had to mindlessly wrap 400+ books

OP feel free to join the PTA, organise Santa, collect, store, wrap and distribute the books next year - making sure you have taken care to ensure the book is well matched with the recipient.

And ungrateful.

why don’t you help the school or community with fundraising? Maybe if you knew just how much thought, effort and planning went into these things you’d be a bit more appreciative.

I do at my own school thanks. If you bothered to read the thread.

@ballsdeep
So you are saying a child cant be disappointed that Santa doesn't know him? Finds it an odd gift. You sound like a peach.