This post is sponsored by Sarah Scheerger. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
MY REVIEW
I’ll admit it: I didn’t expect to laugh this much at a book about kindness.
But Dude. Be Nice totally got me. From the very first page, Dude bursts in like that one friend who means well but somehow turns every good deed into a mini-disaster. He’s unraveling sweaters, freeing dogs that were already fine, and putting out birthday candles—with a bucket of water. (Spoiler: wet cake is not nice.)
Fizz, his patient little sidekick, deserves a medal. Or at least a nap. There’s something oddly relatable about it all—how sometimes we try so hard to be good that we forget to just pause, ask, or listen. I’ve definitely had “Dude moments” myself—where I wanted to help and ended up making a bit of a mess. That’s what makes this story work. It’s funny because it’s true.
Written by Sarah Scheerger (a school-based mental-health clinician who knows kids), together with Brent and Jamie Camalich of the real-life Dude. Be Nice movement, and brought to life by Alex MacNaughton’s bold, comic-style illustrations, this picture book is a wild little masterclass in empathy — perfect for ages 3 to 7. Kids will giggle at Dude’s stunts, and somewhere between the unravelling sweater and the soggy cake, the message lands: real kindness means asking first.
It’s bright, funny, and sneakily wise — a perfect read-aloud for classrooms, bedtime, or any day the world could use a little extra “nice.”
GIVEAWAY
Enter for the chance to win one of ten hardcover copies of Dude. Be Nice! One grand prize winner will receive the ultimate kindness bundle: a complimentary virtual author visit with Sarah Scheerger (available anywhere) and an autographed copy of Dude. Be Nice, a ‘Dude. Be Nice’ apparel item (your choice of shirt, sweatshirt, or hat), and one additional book by Sarah Scheerger to add to your collection!
Dude. Be Nice: Book GiveawayABOUT THE BOOK
Written by Sarah Scheerger with Brent and Jamie Camalich
Illustrated by Alex MacNaughton
Ages: 3-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Flamingo Books (2025) | ISBN: 978-0593350607
Publisher’s Book Summary: Meet Dude, the nicest Dude in town! Or so he thinks . . .
One day, Dude decides that he wants to do nice things for his friends and neighbors all day long. But Dude isn’t exactly attentive and tends to forget the most crucial part of helping people: asking first. So when Dude unravels a sweater, frees some dogs, and ruins an ice cream social, he needs to reckon with his own niceness: is it really nice if he wasn’t that helpful? Can Dude and his best friend Fizz save the day before Dude makes too big of a mess?
With hilarious text from Sarah Scheerger and gorgeous illustrations by debut children’s book artist Alex MacNaughton, Dude. Be Nice is a tale of good intentions and not-so-good outcomes, sure to make readers giggle along the way.
PURCHASE LINK
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Sarah Scheerger is an author and mental health clinician. She provides school-based counseling services for “at promise” youth and helps them figure out who they are and who they want to be. The ‘Dude. Be Nice’ organization caught her attention and served as inspiration for Dude. This is her tenth book. Her middle grade novel, Operation Frog Effect, was nominated for multiple state award lists.
For more information and fun activities related to her books, check out her website at www.sarahlynnbooks.com.
https://www.instagram.com/sarahscheerger
https://www.facebook.com/sarahlynnscheergerbooks
Brent Camalich is the owner of ‘Dude. Be Nice’, whose videos celebrating unsung heroes have generated more than 80 million views. He’s a kid at heart. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and two children.
Jamie Camalich has worked in education for 19 years. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two children. This is her first picture book.
For more info and uplifting videos, check out the dude. be nice organization at dudebenice.com.
https://www.instagram.com/dude.be.nice
https://www.youtube.com/dudebenice
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Alex MacNaughton is an illustrator who lives in London with her partner and scruffy pooch. She loves animals, drinking tea, and knitting. This is her first picture book.
TOUR SCHEDULE
| Wednesday, October 8, 2025The Children’s Book ReviewTour Kick-Off for Dude. Be Nice |
| Thursday, October 9, 2025The Starlit PathBook Review of Dude. Be Nice |
| Saturday, October 11, 2025@books.with.courtneyInstagram Post about Dude. Be Nice |
| Monday, October 13, 2025@avainbooklandInstagram Post about Dude. Be Nice |
| Tuesday, October 14, 2025Confessions of a Book AddictBook Spotlight on Dude. Be Nice |
| Wednesday, October 15, 2025icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of Dude. Be Nice |
| Thursday, October 16, 2025Crafty Moms ShareBook Review of Dude. Be Nice |
| Friday, October 17, 2025A Blue Box Full of BooksInstagram Post about Dude. Be Nice |
| Monday, October 20, 2025Me Two BooksAuthor Interview with Sarah Scheerger |
| Tuesday, October 21, 2025Froggy Read TeachInstagram Post about Dude. Be Nice |
| Wednesday, October 22, 2025@bored_military_wifeInstagram Post about Dude. Be Nice |
| Thursday, October 23, 2025Mrs Makes Reading FunBook Review of Dude. Be Nice |
| Friday, October 24, 2025Little Free Library Mystery NetworkBook Review of Dude. Be Nice |
| Monday, October 27, 2025Country Mamas With KidsBook Review of Dude. Be Nice |
| Tuesday, October 28, 2025@allys.book.cornerBook Review of Dude. Be Nice |
| Wednesday, October 29, 2025Deliciously SavvyBook Review of Dude. Be Nice |
| Thursday, October 30, 2025Sybrina’s Book BlogGuest Post about Dude. Be Nice |
| Friday, October 31, 2025@loriwaylittlelibraryInstagram Post about Dude. Be Nice |
| Monday, November 3, 2025@nissa_the.bookwormInstagram Post about Dude. Be Nice |
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