Freddie the Fly: Seeing Through Another Lens

Book excerpt: Everyone was gathered in the cafeteria for lunch, so Freddie decided it was the perfect moment to show off the grisly gash on his leg. He thought the scar was cool and impressive. But Freddie thought wrong. No one was impressed, but they were grossed out. That’s Freddie the Fly. He assumes everyone sees, thinks, and feels the exact same way he does. And it’s becoming a problem. The lunch lady demanded Freddie make a beeline to the nurse’s office. Freddie wasted no time telling Nurse Mantis about how he made his leg the center of lunchroom attention. Rather than just treating the cut, however, Nurse Mantis diagnosed Freddie’s real problem – his vision! He struggles seeing any perspective other than his own. Freddie didn’t realize the nasty-looking scratch would be stomach-churning to anyone who just wanted to eat. Just like he didn’t understand why Mesquita had swatted at him that morning (too self-absorbed!) or why his best buddy dumped him as a project partner (too overbearing!). To help Freddie be more empathetic, sensitive, and understanding toward the opinions, attitudes and feelings of others, Nurse Mantis encourages him to use “perspective-taking lenses.” Will that switch Freddie’s outlook from ME to WE? Or will he continue to annoy his friends and family by seeing every situation from only one side – his? A special page written specifically for parents and educators offers practical tips on helping kids develop their perspective-taking skills so they will be more open to and aware of the feelings and thoughts of others.