Teaching Kids the Power of Hello: A Review of Badi Blesbok Says Hello

I’m so excited to share a new book with you that is absolutely perfect for back-to-school season, but honestly, it’s one of those stories that works beautifully all year round.

Books have this wonderful way of slipping lessons into the everyday moments of childhood. Sometimes, the message is loud and clear; other times, it gently sits beneath the surface, waiting for kids to notice and reflect. This book manages to do both, and that’s part of what makes it so special.

A few weeks ago, I was contacted and asked if I’d be interested in reviewing this book. And let me tell you, the moment I saw that it had social emotional learning (SEL) built into the storyline, my answer was an enthusiastic “yes, please!”

If you’re new here, you should know that I am a huge believer in sneaking life lessons into fun and engaging books. It’s kind of like broccoli covered in cheese for the brain; kids don’t even realize they’re learning something important because they’re too busy enjoying the story. And as a counselor and a mom, I know how powerful that “sneaky learning” can be.

Below is a link to the book (affiliate link). You can click the link to go straight to the Amazon link and purchase your copy of the book.

Badi Blesbox Says Hello

First Impressions at Home

When the book arrived in the mail today, my two-year-old’s radar went off immediately. He spotted it before I even had the chance to open the envelope and started chanting, “me, me, me,” while reaching his sticky little fingers toward it. (Because of course, in his mind, anything addressed to Mom is actually meant for him.)

He ended up loving the illustrations, which featured bright, cheerful animals that practically leapt off the page. He pointed to each character, named the ones he knew, and repeated many of the words, especially the fun new greetings in Oshiwambo. Watching his excitement was half the joy for me. Even at two years old, he was fully engaged with the book, which is a true testament.

The Story

The book is called Badi Blesbok Says Hello, and it’s a sweet and thoughtful story.

Badi is on a journey to learn all the different ways people say hello. Along the way, he discovers that greetings aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some friends go in for a hug. Others might prefer a handshake. A fist bump is always a solid option, and waving is universally friendly.

What I love most is that the story normalizes the idea that we don’t have to greet everyone the same way. Every friendship can look a little different, and that’s not only okay, it’s actually wonderful. In fact, it’s one of the small yet powerful ways kids can learn to respect boundaries, differences, and personal comfort.

The Power of Self-Talk

One of the details that stood out to me the most was Badi’s internal dialogue. He wrestles with frustration and sadness when others ignore him or greet him differently than he expected. But then, he praises himself when he finds a greeting that works.

That piece of the story is absolute gold. Children need to see and hear examples of positive self-talk because it influences how they perceive themselves in everyday situations. As a counselor, I often remind kids that what they say to themselves matters just as much as what others say to them. My go-to saying when kids are learning self-talk is "if I wouldn't say this to my best friend, I shouldn't say it to myself." Kids and adults often speak more kindly to their best friend than they do to themselves. We usually encourage and reframe our friends' ways of talking to themselves, so this is a helpful way for kids and adults to begin noticing when they aren't being kind to themselves. Seeing Badi model self-talk in a storybook makes the concept concrete and approachable.

As they read examples of positive self-talk through Badi's internal dialogue, resilience is built one page at a time.

Why This Matters for Kids

At first glance, learning how to say hello might seem like a tiny, obvious social skill. But for many children, especially those who are shy, anxious, or navigating new environments, it’s a big hurdle.

Think about the start of a school year: kids walking into a classroom full of strangers, teachers meeting families for the first time, parents hovering at drop-off, all while nerves are high. How we greet one another in those first few moments can set the tone for comfort, trust, and connection.

Books like Badi Blesbok Says Hello give kids a roadmap for those small but significant moments. They help children understand:

• It’s okay if you don’t want a hug.

• It’s okay if you prefer a wave instead of a handshake.

• It’s okay to try different things until you find what feels right.

That message empowers kids to both advocate for themselves and respect others’ boundaries, two skills that can prevent misunderstandings and build healthier relationships.

The Illustrations

Let’s pause and talk about the illustrations because they are gorgeous. They’re bold, bright, and filled with little details that invite kids to linger on each page.

For my two-year-old, the pictures were the hook. He may not fully grasp the deeper SEL lessons yet, but he happily sat through the entire story (which is nothing short of miraculous for his attention span). He delighted in spotting animals and mimicking their greetings.

For older kids, think preschool through early elementary, the illustrations work as conversation starters. They might notice how one character greets Badi differently from another, or how Badi’s facial expressions shift depending on the interaction. Those visual cues give teachers and parents an easy way to spark reflection: “How do you think Badi felt when that happened?” or, “Which hello do you like best?”

A Cultural Window

Another element that makes this book shine is the cultural aspect. From the very first page, readers are introduced to the African setting of Namibia, and the story explains that Oshiwambo is the most commonly spoken language in that region.

Throughout the book, various greetings in Oshiwambo are woven into the story, accompanied by simple translations at the bottom of each page. It’s a natural, seamless way to introduce kids to another language and culture, something that broadens their worldview and encourages curiosity.

In an era when many children grow up with limited exposure to life beyond their immediate surroundings, stories like this serve as gentle reminders: the world is vast, diverse, and beautiful.

How to Use This Book

From a counseling and parenting lens, I can see so many ways this book could be used:

• At home: Ask your child how they like to say hello. Practice different greetings together. You might be surprised by what feels most natural to them.

• In the classroom: Use the story as a springboard for a community-building activity at the start of the school year. Kids can vote on their favorite classroom greeting and practice respecting one another’s choices.

• In small groups: Role-play different scenarios where greetings might feel awkward, meeting someone new, saying hello to a teacher, or greeting a relative. Let kids experiment in a low-pressure environment.

The beauty of this book is that it doesn’t just tell a story; it opens doors for conversations, role-play, and real-world practice.

Why I’ll Keep Coming Back to It

I can already tell this is going to be a book we pull off the shelf again and again. My son might love it now for the animals and the fun new words. In a year or two, he’ll notice the choices Badi makes and start to reflect on his own. As my daughters get older, it will serve as a reminder that friendships don’t have to all look the same, that connection can come in many forms.

That’s the hallmark of a great children’s book: it grows with your family.

Final Thoughts

So whether you’re preparing your kids for the first day of school, working on social skills at home, or simply wanting to expand their view of the world, Badi Blesbok Says Hello is a wonderful pick. It’s playful, thoughtful, and culturally rich, with lessons that will stick long after the book is closed.

And if nothing else, it might just inspire your child to enthusiastically fist-bump every stranger at the grocery store.

5 Questions to Use After Reading Badi Blesbok Says Hello to Spark Conversation

1. What was your favorite way that Badi said hello? Why?

2. How do you like people to say hello to you, hug, high five, fist bump, wave, or something else?

3. How do you think Badi felt when someone didn’t greet him the way he expected?

4. Can you think of a time when you felt nervous to say hello? What did you do?

5. Why do you think it’s important to respect how other people like to be greeted?

Learning Extension Activities

Below are some great ways to continue practicing this important social skill. They are versatile, so teachers can do activities from the counselor category and vice versa. These are just ideas to get you thinking.

At Home:

• Greeting Chart: Create a family chart of various greetings (e.g., wave, hug, handshake, fist bump, bow). Let each family member circle their favorite. Try them out together throughout the week.

• Stuffed Animal Practice: Have your child line up their favorite stuffed animals and give each one a “preferred greeting.” Practice greeting them the way they like.

In the Classroom:

• Morning Greeting Choice Board: Display a poster at the classroom door with icons representing various greetings (wave, handshake, high five, fist bump). Each student can choose how they want to be greeted upon entering.

• Cultural Connection: Research greetings from other countries and try them out together. Talk about how different cultures have different ways of showing kindness and respect.

• Role-Play Scenarios: Pair students up to act out meeting someone new. Encourage them to try different greetings and discuss which ones felt most comfortable.

For Counselors & Small Groups:

• Feelings Match Game: Show pictures of faces (happy, nervous, frustrated, excited) and ask, “How might Badi feel in this situation?” Then, connect it to real-life experiences kids may have had.

• Self-Talk Practice: After reading, ask kids to share something positive they could say to themselves if a greeting doesn’t go as planned (e.g., “I can try again,” “That’s okay,” “I did my best”).