I Don't Want to Be Nice! is a social story geared toward 4-8 year olds. It focuses on Finn who doesn't play fair and isn't nice or helpful to others. With help from a teacher and his classmates, Finn realizes that it's good to be a buddy and starts being kind toward others. Like most social stories, I Don't Want to Be Nice! is a simplified version of reality which creates a beginning point of discussion. The book also offers an additional picture story with the same theme as well as before and after reading guidance.

This is a great book for use with young children. There is usually at least one or two children in a class that have difficulty getting along with others. They may be too aggressive playing games, be a poor sport, pick on others, not help out etc. Finn is not nice to his classmates. He is too aggressive when playing soccer, walks by friends who need help and ignores a new boy at school who he is supposed to be a buddy with. This book tackles the problem of someone who is not nice to their peers. With the help of an adult (teacher in this case) both the class and the student having difficulty get advice and suggestions from the teacher. They are able to work things out without using force or being mean to one another. There are simple suggestions given that could open a discussion with a small or large group of children. At the end of the book there are simple activities that can be done to reinforce the concept of being nice and kind to others. A good book to use in schools whether a whole class or a small group that are learning about being kind and helpful to others.

This series introduces young kids to different emotions and behaviours through simple engaging stories that they can all relate to.

"I Don't Want to Be Nice!" exposes the issues of selfishness, bullying, and being kind to others. The Golden Rule shines forth in this book big time. "Do onto others as you would have them do onto you."

Finn has little care for treating others with kindness. He dismisses their needs even though he could help. He is aggressive on the playground at recess. He pushes and shoves his teammates causing them to call him unkind and just plain mean. His classmates finally have had enough of his abusive and bad behaviour and they go and report him to Mr. Hare their teacher.

Mr. Hare listens attentively to their accusations, ponders a while, and then gets a very brilliant idea that just might solve Finn's problem. He puts Finn in charge of a new boy, Jake, who needs a buddy to ease him into the fibre of the school. Finn isn't interested in being a buddy, he doesn't want to help Jake find his way around, and is unkind to him which make the other kids very upset indeed witnessing his rude and offensive behaviour.

Finn finds himself ostracised and is left feeling lonely and very unhappy, deservedly so. Can Mr. Hare do an intervention and find a way to help Finn change his disrespectful and selfish ways?

This book is a perfect catalyst to get kids conversing and identifying their emotions. Through dialogue and sharing their feelings they can boost their self confidence which will help with their social and emotional development greatly. I highly recommend this book. This is a perfect book to be in a classroom or school library.