Why exactly do we avoid the number 13 when staying at a hotel, flying on a plane, or sitting in a specific seat? That’s exactly the question author Douglas Harris sets out to answer in the children’s book, “Don’t Be Mean to 13.” The boy in the book introduces the reader to his friend 13 and explains how many people are afraid of him. He then provides the origins of this particular superstition before explaining that there’s really nothing to fear about him at all.

Douglas does a great job at combining a sort of parable, providing an example of a character that is feeling ostracized like so many children are, with the history of how many superstitions come to be. Parents and children alike will walk away from this book having learned something while simultaneously being entertained. The illustrations are engaging to the smallest of readers especially when some of the more detailed parts get a little too wordy and possibly difficult to understand depending on the age. Overall, the book does a good job at explaining why superstitions are silly beliefs that some people have.

What a cute book for kiddos and their parents to enjoy together. It is funny, with strong and vivid illustrations that progress the story.

The number 13 is usually thought of as bad luck triskaidekaphobia - . This book delved deeper into why people are so afraid of the number 13.

The book talks about superstitions around the number and explains that sometime people are treated badly due to their association with the number. It also helps the reader understand the history behind the bad luck for the number as well as how different cultures perceive it.

Each page is captivating and cleverly designed so your full attention is on it.

Can’t quite put my finger on the age range of this book – it can be read with younger children and I think Key Stage 2 children will enjoy it by themselves.

Don’t Be Mean to 13 by Douglas Harris is a picturebook. Friday the 13th is bad luck. Some high rises have no floor thirteen. Why are people so afraid of 13!? Thirteen is feared and disliked for no good reason, while Twelve has always been so popular! When Thirteen and his friend Friday get together - watch out for friggatriskaidekaphobia! Explore the ancient historical roots of these popular superstitions while encouraging children to use evidence-based, critical thinking with our friend, Thirteen!

Don’t Be Mean to 13 is a picturebook that not only covers the superstitions around the number thirteen, but also points out how sometimes people treat people badly for equally poor reasons as they fear the number 13. I really loved the book's look and illustrations. I liked the colors and how each page is designed in a way that captures and keeps the attention of the reader. I really enjoyed the way the number 13 was illustrated, it made the character pop on each page while still appearing rather cute and fuzzy. Honestly the art is my favorite part of this book. I think it could be a little text heavy, and heavy handed with the message that everyone is special and unique like the number thirteen. However, I did like the book taught facts about 13 in history and some cultures

OMG, these illustrations are seriously so fun! This is the kind of children's book I adore - beautiful art, both kiddos and parents learn a lil something and an awesome message. Please continue writing such touching books!

As a fan of the number 13 I was really excited to find this book. I finally sat down to read it, and it was so much more informative than I had expected. It was cute, I learned some things, and the illustrations were great. I think my 4 year old would enjoy it, but I'd have no hesitation reading it to an older group as well.

This book was full of a lot of details but not put together in a way that kept my kids interested throughout. It’s also marketed for quite a young audience yet I felt like my kids (3 & 5) were way too young.

"Don't Be Mean to 13" by Douglas Harris is a fun and educational book that explores superstitions about the number 13. It uses a playful story with Thirteen and Friday to challenge the idea that 13 is unlucky. This book engages young readers, encourages critical thinking, and helps them understand the history of these beliefs. It's a great tool for teaching kids to question superstitions and promotes curiosity and skepticism. It's a fun read for curious young minds.

A book that clearly wants to do three things, and sort of falls at the last hurdle for all of them. It wants to scoff at superstitions, and this is the closest to a success it gets, proving (albeit more from the introduction than the actual core of things, you know, the bit kids'll actually read) that such false beliefs have no place in life these days. It also wants to specifically talk about the hoodoo about the number 13, and Friday 13th in particular, and it can mention the Norse and the Greek pantheons, but cannot get round to mentioning the Last Supper. I mean, c'mon, I have less religion in me than a sack of potatoes does, but stop with the woke "Christianity matters so little, we can ignore it" nonsense.

On these pages, 13 is a friendly gizmo, a ball of smiling black fluff, with what looks like his name on a patch sewn onto him. Which characterisation tries to allow for the book to pass the third test, of proving to the reader, who might at times feel neglected, misunderstood, bullied or thought ill of for no reason, that they are as special as said 13 is. But again this is just a couple of half-hearted add-ons here and there, and the third and final way this doesn't quite go far enough with any of its elements to really be called a success. And I think a book whose improvements could have been so simply identified and applied can only really get three stars.

Here's an interesting look at superstitions, and the origin of triskaidekaphobia. The illustrations by Yip Jar are eye-catching and fun. This would make a great addition to the school library shelf.

This book introduces the concept of superstition, especially of the number 13. It explains how there really isn't anything to be afraid of. It is a cute book and I think kids would like it. The illustrations are really cute too.

Cute and fun book about 13 and the fear of it. There were some cool words, and I learned the word for fear of Friday the 13th! Good informative book for kids.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

Very cute book that taught me a lot about 13.. I have a friend who won't leave the house on Friday the 13th.
I think 13 may have gotten a push as it is Taylor Swifts favorite number (or so I've been told a time or two.)

Cute book with a lesson attached.

This was a lot of fun. It looks at the fear of 13 and Friday the 13th and explains that they are just numbers and day. It also explains what a fear is and how they can come about. It does it all with a tongue in cheek humor that works perfectly. This book would be great for any library collection.

An adorably illustrated book to teach anyone that the number 13 isn’t unlucky. Thirteen is just a number like all the rest and there is no need to fear it. A cute, informative story that will have you thinking differently about 13 and a lot of other superstitions.

This is an adorable and informative read. It provides a simplistic approach to explaining a phobia with illustrations that will draw in youngsters to adults. Perfect for this time of year, too, regardless of Friday 13.

Don’t be mean to 13 is a children’s book about the fear, triskaidekaphobia, of the number 13.

Along with the illustrations, the readers get to know what a superstition and what fear is surrounding the number 13. Now, I read this on Friday the 13th, and I absolutely love this day! And reading this book was also a really fun read. The artwork was fun and I really liked the colors they chose to illustrate the number 13.

I hope a lot of young readers will enjoy this and learn more about our good friend 13!

Happy reading!♥️

Don't Be Mean To 13 by Douglas Harris is a fun picture book all about the number 13 and why people are superstitious about it. Even better, it's being released on Friday the 13th AND features a section on why some people are superstitious of that. It's a fun, quirky information book about all things 13 and I had a wonderful time reading it.

Things I enjoyed about this book:
🖤 The message that just because people don't understand you - and might be mean to you - you are special for who you are.
🖤 It unpacks what a superstition is - great for vocab work!
🖤 It unpacks the phobia of 13 (triskaidekaphobia) - also great for vocab work as it explores the Greek roots of the word
🖤 It includes real world facts about 13
🖤 It explores lucky numbers from other cultures
🖤 It's got a great sense of voice
🖤 The illustrations are bright, fun and inviting (and doesn't 13 look cute and friendly!)

This would be a great book to read on any Friday the 13th, explore superstitions and think critically about why those superstitions exist and whether or not they still have value in the current day. I'll definitely be looking to get a physical copy of this book as soon as I can.

What an odd but interesting book about the number 13…

Illustrated like it’s for little kids but only 1/2 the story seems understandable by my 7 year old. I’d peg this in the 8-11 category.

We learn the origin of the fear of 13 and the fear of Friday the 13th. Technical terms and word origins are introduced. Very intellectual read for smaller kids.

Do you have triskaidekaphophia? How about friggatriskaidekaphobia? This is the perfect book to teach your little nerds about the #13 and all the superstitions it brings. I bet you learn a little something yourself about this most feared number! It is also perfectly perfect that this book releases on Friday October 13th!

Thank you to NetGalley and Label Free Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.