I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the concept for this book. It's hard for young kids sometimes to know they have to be flexible. I thought this was an alright book to demonstrate it. The pictures were bright and colorful and the storyline stayed on topic.

Thank you #netgalley for giving me a copy of #itsmywayorthehighway to review. This book was perfect for my daughter who is very strong-willed. This is a book to continuously go back to. She loved this book and referenced it throughout the weeks after we read it. We need to re-read it as a reminder. This story helps kids to see that demanding is not the best way to go about your day. All strong-willed children should have access to this book.

Cora is a little girl who likes things just a certain way. It’s her way or the highway. While this is a common saying, why is a little girl saying it? Does she even know what it means? Then various people like teachers and even her mother tell her she has to be “Flexible”. She thinks this is being bendy in different directions which is illustrated perfectly in the book. Later the lesson is that flexibility is learning that you don’t always get your way, and that being flexible means doing things you may not want to do, to get along or obey others. This is not a book I would ever use with kids because I think the message is a bit wonky, not exact, and a tad confusing. But i see parents and teachers liking it.
#LitsyAtoZChildrens

This is another winning title from Julia Cook. I plan to use it in my individual and small group counseling sessions but it can be easily be used for classroom read-aloud. I would highly recommend it to educators and parents. Thanks to Boys Town Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this title.

Its about a little girl who wants to be a boss and wants everyone to do as she says. She learns from her mother the power of flexibility. There are tips for parents and educators at the end .

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC

I'm torn on this one. On one hand, I didn't enjoy it and thought it was far too over-the-top for the message to really get across to kids. Most "bossy" children aren't going to see this and recognize themselves because they're not doing it in such a blatant way as she does. On the other hand, it could be a great way to open up conversation with children who need to learn to step back and not boss their friends around or be so demanding with their families.

This is a delightful book with a very valuable life lesson to share. Cora June indeed has girl power but she uses it to tell other people what to do ... according to Cora June's playbook. She likes to take control and bosses everyone around, even her teacher! She tells her teacher that her assignments are boring, she co-ordinates the games the kids play at recess and even disses what is served at family dinner. Cora June makes people feel very uncomfortable and sad when she acts that way. The refrain you hear from each of her victims is that she needs to use the power of flexibility not her overpowering, overbearing girl power on others. Can she do it? Can she change that disagreeable behaviour and turn her bossiness into being a credible, respectable leader? Cora June learns that life is not always about getting your own way.

The illustrations are extremely well done. They are colourful and full of expression and heart. "It's My Way or the Highway!" is the first title in a new series, "The Leader I'll Be!" by the award winning author. I like the added "tips for parents and educators" that is included at the end. This book would be a perfect addition to a classroom and an elementary school library. I highly recommend it.

Cora June does not think she is bossy. She just knows how she wants things to be and does not accept ‘No’. Her teacher, her coach and even her best friend tell her she needs to be more flexible. What does it exactly mean? Twisting yourself in weird and uncomfortable positions? It is time for a little chat with her Mum who is worried that Cora does not understand the concept. Mum explains that if you ask instead of telling, people will listen to what you have to say. ‘Life isn’t all about you. There is a power in flexibility.’
Cora is trying to understand how her actions affect the others. She still likes being a boss from time to time but she is learning how to be a flexible boss and a future leader.
This little story carries a great message. Being strong-willed is not about getting your way but more about being able to control and adjust your actions if necessary.
The book has lovely colourful illustrations which are certain to appeal to children.
I am looking forward to other titles in this series of books designed to help children develop their social skills.
Thank you NetGalley and Boys Town Press for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

A cute way to explain to children that not everything is about them and to be considerate of others. I read this with my 5 year old niece, who very much resembles the main character in the story. Some of it needed to be explained to her, but overall it was a fun way to show children that they should be less bossy.

As an elementary school library tech, I am always looking for "lesson" stories to read in-between the silly, funny ones. I'm very pleased with IT'S MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. It's engaging and funny and with colorful illustrations to keep students interested. As I read it, I could almost hear my students gasping and commenting on what Cora June said or did that wasn't nice. By the end of the story I appreciated that Cora June is aware and working on her behavior instead of suddenly changed.

I'm looking forward to ordering IT'S MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY for my school library. I'm also interested in Julia Cook's other titles.

This is a great tool for teaching children how to be flexible and not bossy. They can learn to be a leader using more positive skills.

As an educator, I appreciated the message in "It's My Way or the Highway!" So often children resort to tell others what to do and don't understand the implications of their actions. Julia Cook has given us a book to use as a lesson in helping children understand the "power of flexibility." In addition, I like the added "tips for parents and educators" at the end.

This is a nice way of presenting a touchy subject. I'm not a fan of the gender-disparate section about assertiveness versus bossiness, but it seems like everyone is on a mission to separate the sexes even further these days. For this reason alone, I'm removing a star. I like the section at the end that talks directly to parents, giving them strategies and ideas for channeling leadership personalities.

It’s My Way or the Highway is a tale about a bossy young girl who is used to getting her own way. It doesn’t say how old the character is, but based on illustrations, I would guess she’s about eight.

This story had a lot of potential as it seems there is always at least one “bossy” kid in every grade; however, the illustrations and story fell completely flat and left me feeling more disgusted than anything else. Yes, the story is aimed at kids who ARE bossy, but they rarely see themselves as being bossy, so the direct approach does not always work – nor is it as simple as the book suggests. Bossy is a hard emotion to focus on as it often coincides with just down-right rudeness.

In one scene, Cora June decides school is boring and holds an impromptu vote, then tells the teacher, “This class would be a lot more fun, if you’d do things my way.” While many “bossy” kids do think that, it is more than bossy to say it out loud. Needless to say, I did not like this story or the illustrations.

Hi all educators and parents!! Boy, do I have a book for you to read to your little ones. @juliacookonline did a phenomenal job writing Its My Way or the Highway. She goes into great detail on how this little girl wants everything done her way and likes to be the boss. Towards the end of the book it demonstrates how mom sits her down and explains that she has to be a good listener. She goes on to tell her that she can’t be bossing people around. Julia Cook also gives some amazing tips at the end of the book on what to do and/or say to children that are going through this tough stage in their lives. I will definitely be reading this book to my students and my children!! Thank you @juliacookonline #netgalley #Itsmywayorthehighway

Loved the message this story sends. It has beautiful artwork and has wonderful talking points at the end of the book to help parents and educators (or anyone else) discuss this topic with the kids in their life. I noticed a recurring typo that will likely be fixed in the final draft (the word "flexible" was missing from some of the sentences it belonged in). My only suggestion to improve the story would be to show examples of how to properly lead as well as examples of how to be flexible. Overall, it's a great story with a message that will be helpful for many kids.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Very good short story about a little girl who is bossy and her parents show her the importance of being flexible. You can't be a leader with no followers. I thought the story gave some decent advice on how to steer your kids into more proactive and inclusive behavior.