Book Review, Award & Publications
Don't Blame Hazel! is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom's Choice Awards® (MCA) evaluates products and services created for parents and educators and is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. Using a rigorous evaluation process, entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost. Around the world, parents, educators, retailers and members of the media trust the MCA Honoring Excellence seal when selecting quality products and services for families and children.
"Don’t Blame Hazel! is a short yet poignant glimpse into the life of a young girl who knows what it’s like to be different. With timely and important insight into the lives of children today, Frazia has touched on the emotional impact of bullying. What is most impressive though, is that she sheds light into the lives of both the bullied and bullies, and manages to show compassion for both. It is an impressive and crucial lesson in kindness that children of all ages will benefit from reading."
Creations Magazine
Reviewed by Erica Settino
Creations Magazine
Reviewed by Erica Settino
"Don't Blame Hazel is such a beautiful book in all possible ways. Readers will find that the message is deeper and more nuanced than it initially seems - i.e., when you treat others badly, you end up hurting yourself more in the long run, as hurting others distorts your appearance to the world - and this gives the book a lot of charm. The book also helps children to ask questions like: "Why are bullies so mean?" which can lead to deeper psychological questions of cause-and-effect. As a psychologist who works with individuals in various stages of the cycle of abuse, my job is to not only validate the feelings of victims, but also help them to break the cycle of abuse before it repeats. Sadly, many of the individuals who become perpetrators were once victims that never got the help they needed as children - either out of shame or lack of resources - leading to the repetition of the cycle. While it is understandable that most people have only contempt for those who cause others pain, in order to break each cycle of abuse we must be willing to see the scared child inside each person who does bad things. Don't Blame Hazel does a great job of helping kids create the mental space to begin examining the cause-and-effect relationship between the pain a person creates for others and the private pain they themselves have."
John G. Cottone, Ph.D.
Psychologist / Author
John G. Cottone, Ph.D.
Psychologist / Author
The Quiet Library
Barcelona, Spain
About a month ago, we were lucky enough to get a copy of "Don't Blame Hazel!," by emerging author R.G. Frazia. This is a story about being true to yourself and standing up when others try to put you down. As Hazel's mother puts it, "[she] should always be herself no matter what anyone thinks." The story also makes a point for children to trust grown-ups when they encounter a problem that seems too overwhelming for them to deal with it on their own - a lesson which could easily be extrapolated to people of all ages.
What's nicest, in our opinion, is that the story doesn't try to vilify bullies. On the contrary, it seems to point out that these are, more often than not, highly damaged people who belittle others in an attempt to make themselves look bigger. It is only through understanding and caring that their wounds will heal and all will live in harmony.
The story, which could be used by parents and teachers to initiate a discussion about bullying, is a quick read and should be enjoyable for children of all ages. The illustrations that accompany the words, by Monika Suska, are a delight to the eye.
Barcelona, Spain
About a month ago, we were lucky enough to get a copy of "Don't Blame Hazel!," by emerging author R.G. Frazia. This is a story about being true to yourself and standing up when others try to put you down. As Hazel's mother puts it, "[she] should always be herself no matter what anyone thinks." The story also makes a point for children to trust grown-ups when they encounter a problem that seems too overwhelming for them to deal with it on their own - a lesson which could easily be extrapolated to people of all ages.
What's nicest, in our opinion, is that the story doesn't try to vilify bullies. On the contrary, it seems to point out that these are, more often than not, highly damaged people who belittle others in an attempt to make themselves look bigger. It is only through understanding and caring that their wounds will heal and all will live in harmony.
The story, which could be used by parents and teachers to initiate a discussion about bullying, is a quick read and should be enjoyable for children of all ages. The illustrations that accompany the words, by Monika Suska, are a delight to the eye.
Sweet Lemons
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I am so excited to write about a new book that my kids and I have fallen in love with. “Don’t Blame Hazel!” by R.G. Frazia is about a little girl, Hazel, who dresses like a witch and is nervous to go to a new school because of the way she dresses. A girl at the new school makes fun of Hazel on the first day, but she is brave and tells the teacher. A fun twist shows how bad it is to be a bully. In the end, the bully learns a lesson and the two girls become friends.
This book came to our family at the perfect time. We have been discussing being unique and how important it is to always be yourself, no matter what others say. From the first time we read it, my kids fell in love with Hazel. When she was made fun of they all got mad and said that the bully is mean. In the end, they were happy with the result and proud of Hazel for always being herself. After we finished the book, I asked each one of my children what was their favorite part. Lala, 8 years old, said she liked that Hazel wasn’t afraid to be herself and to introduce herself to others even though she knew she was different from them, and her “second favorite part was that Hazel was nice to the mean girl even though she was mean to Hazel”. Princess (5 years old) said that her favorite part was that the mean girl became nice. And Lil Man liked that there was a frog in the book (he is 3!).
“Don’t Blame Hazel” is a book that parents and kids will mutually agree upon when it’s time to pick a bedtime story; the parents because of the lessons taught and the kids because of the adorable illustrations and fun story. We have read the book every day since we received it and each time the kids want to talk about the lessons of the book after we are done.
No child is immune from bullying, making this book a must-have on every bookshelf. “Don’t Blame Hazel” will help kids embrace their uniqueness and teach them how to deal with bullying.
“Don’t Blame Hazel” is the perfect conversation starter for anti-bullying lessons and to help build self-esteem. Parents, caregivers and educators should rush to dontblamehazel.com for more information and to purchase the book. I promise you won’t be disappointed in this purchase. Your kids need to be introduced to Hazel today!
This book came to our family at the perfect time. We have been discussing being unique and how important it is to always be yourself, no matter what others say. From the first time we read it, my kids fell in love with Hazel. When she was made fun of they all got mad and said that the bully is mean. In the end, they were happy with the result and proud of Hazel for always being herself. After we finished the book, I asked each one of my children what was their favorite part. Lala, 8 years old, said she liked that Hazel wasn’t afraid to be herself and to introduce herself to others even though she knew she was different from them, and her “second favorite part was that Hazel was nice to the mean girl even though she was mean to Hazel”. Princess (5 years old) said that her favorite part was that the mean girl became nice. And Lil Man liked that there was a frog in the book (he is 3!).
“Don’t Blame Hazel” is a book that parents and kids will mutually agree upon when it’s time to pick a bedtime story; the parents because of the lessons taught and the kids because of the adorable illustrations and fun story. We have read the book every day since we received it and each time the kids want to talk about the lessons of the book after we are done.
No child is immune from bullying, making this book a must-have on every bookshelf. “Don’t Blame Hazel” will help kids embrace their uniqueness and teach them how to deal with bullying.
“Don’t Blame Hazel” is the perfect conversation starter for anti-bullying lessons and to help build self-esteem. Parents, caregivers and educators should rush to dontblamehazel.com for more information and to purchase the book. I promise you won’t be disappointed in this purchase. Your kids need to be introduced to Hazel today!
Additional Reviews
"As President of a PTA at a wonderful elementary school, I serve as an advocate for children. I have 5 children myself, and often look for ways to get through to them when they say things that aren't so nice about others or when they tell me that others say things that aren't so nice to them. I can tell you that this book has helped me conquer that quest. It is a beautifully well written book that opens up a child's mind and allows them to think outside of the box which will ultimately help them come to realize the importance of becoming a good human being. The book is well written and extremely well thought out and the drawings are just beautiful. I would recommend this book to any child and to all libraries. Hazel is a beautiful and inspirational character. I would also ask that you explore the idea of bringing Hazel back to life through subsequent stories. We want more!!!"
-Julia Johnson, PTA PRESIDENT
"What a wonderful addition to my library! Ms. Frazia has captured the truth about bullying in creative manner offering children a very different view from a more mindful and introspective approach. I highly recommend this book not only for therapist working with children, but also for parents and guardians, to help children more deeply understand their thoughts, feelings and behaviors."
-Deborah Smith ATR-BC, LCAT, LMHC, LPC
"What a great book; I read it with my great-niece and we both loved it. We talked about it afterward and she definitely got the message that is being conveyed about bullying; she even opened up a little bit about some things that go on at her school with the other children. Adorable pictures too; excellent choice."
-Barnes & Nobles review
"I love this book! What a wonderful heartfelt story about being different...and learning that is okay!! The lessons that are gently told, about bullying, friendship and self esteem...they just pull at your heartstrings. The story is told so lovingly, my children were at the edge of their seats. Everyone needs this book in their home library, and buy one for your school library. What a perfect story to let children know what is right and wrong. Don't Blame Hazel is my new favorite book!!"
-M. Deukich, Mother of three
-Julia Johnson, PTA PRESIDENT
"What a wonderful addition to my library! Ms. Frazia has captured the truth about bullying in creative manner offering children a very different view from a more mindful and introspective approach. I highly recommend this book not only for therapist working with children, but also for parents and guardians, to help children more deeply understand their thoughts, feelings and behaviors."
-Deborah Smith ATR-BC, LCAT, LMHC, LPC
"What a great book; I read it with my great-niece and we both loved it. We talked about it afterward and she definitely got the message that is being conveyed about bullying; she even opened up a little bit about some things that go on at her school with the other children. Adorable pictures too; excellent choice."
-Barnes & Nobles review
"I love this book! What a wonderful heartfelt story about being different...and learning that is okay!! The lessons that are gently told, about bullying, friendship and self esteem...they just pull at your heartstrings. The story is told so lovingly, my children were at the edge of their seats. Everyone needs this book in their home library, and buy one for your school library. What a perfect story to let children know what is right and wrong. Don't Blame Hazel is my new favorite book!!"
-M. Deukich, Mother of three
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