Book Review: The Color Monster - A Pop-Up Book of Feelings

By: Anna Llenas
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

About This Book: We teach toddlers to identify colors, numbers, shapes, and letters—but what about their feelings? By illustrating such common emotions as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and calm, this sensitive book gently encourages young children to open up. Kids will LOVE the bright illustrations and amazing 3-D pop-ups on every page!

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Super cool!! This is such a visually stunning pop-up book. When we received it my daughter was ooohhhing and ahhhhing each time we turned the page. This will be a fun addition to my social skills lessons on feelings identification. Can't wait to share it with students. 

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Book Review: Nadia - The Girl Who Couldn't Sit Still

Author: Karlin Gray
Illustrator: Christine Davenier
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Nadia Comaneci went from climbing trees in the forests of Romania to swinging into history at the 1976 Olympic Games, where she received an unprecedented seven perfect scores in gymnastics. 

But as readers will see in this first-ever illustrated picture book about Nadia's journey to Olympic gold, the road from small-town girl to world-class athlete was full of many imperfect moments. Nadia's story of determination, energy, and grace is perfect for any active child who just cannot sit still. A PERFECT 10. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: There is a belief that talent just comes naturally. You either are gifted or you are not. This type of thinking is associated with fixed mindset. Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn't Sit Still dispels this myth about talents and strengths. Nadia shows us she didn't just earn seven perfect 10s through luck. It was through her failures that she grew and she understood she needed to put in more effort, practice, and determination. 

I'm so happy to add this to my ever growing list of growth mindset books. And just in time for the Olympics!

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Book Review: What Do You Do With a Problem?

Author: Kobi Yamada

Illustrator: Mae Besom

Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: What do you do with a problem? Especially one that follows you around and doesn't seem to be going away? Do you worry about it? Ignore it? Do you run and hide from it?

This is the story of a persistent problem and the child who isn't so sure what to make of it. The longer the problem is avoided, the bigger it seems to get. But when the child finally musters up the courage to face it, the problem turns out to be something quite different than expected. 

This is a story for anyone, at any age, who has ever had a problem that they wished would go away. It's a story to inspire you to look closely at that problem and to find out why it's here. Because you might discover something amazing about your problem...and yourself. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: A lot of my job is helping kids solve problems. I was so excited to find a resource that teaches kids our problems are really trying to tell us something about ourselves. They are really an opportunity to learn, grow, be brave, and do something. What Do You Do With a Problem shows a child struggling with his problem and avoiding it as it continues to grow and get bigger. Finally, he faces it and learns what looked like something negative - really holds a positive outcome. What a great book to help kids stop avoiding a problem and instead take control of it. 

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Book Review: The CBT Art Activity Book - 100 Illustrated Handouts for Creative Therapeutic Work

By: Jennifer Guest

About This Book: Explore complex emotions and enhance self-awareness with these 100 ready-to-use creative activities.

The intricate, attractive designs are illustrated in the popular zentangle style and are suitable for adults and young people, in individual or group work. The worksheets use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and art as therapy to improve self-esteem, emotional well being, anger management, coping with change and loss, problem solving and future planning. The coloring pages are designed for relaxing stress management and feature a complete illustrated alphabet and series of striking mandala designs.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I'm so happy to have this workbook to use with students in my counseling sessions. It can be a challenge finding resources that have SOLID handouts to help kids work through problems. These will really enhance your toolkit. I HIGHLY recommend!

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Book Review: School's First Day of School

Author: Adam Rex
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up


About This Book: It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him? The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he's not the only one going through first-day jitters.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I've been emailing all of the teachers at my school and telling them to GET THIS BOOK! Such a creative way to talk to kids about how they might be feeling those first few days of school. Books help normalize behaviors and this one will be a great ally to your discussion. It's also kind of funny to think it's the school that is feeling so nervous. I can see kids giggling about this - a great way to minimize fears. The book ends focusing on the positive and kind things that happened throughout the day. Love.

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Book Review: Ida Always

Author: Caron Levis
Illustrator: Charles Santoso
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Gus lives in a big park in the middle of an even bigger city, and he spends his days with Ida. Ida is right there. Always. Then one sad day, Gus learns that Ida is very sick, and she isn't going to get better. 

The friends help each other face the difficult news with whispers, sniffles, cuddles, and even laughs. Slowly, Gus realizes that even after Ida is gone, she will still be with him - through the sounds of their city, and the memories that live in their favorite spots. 

Ida, Always is an exquisitely told story of two best friends - inspired by a real bear friendship - and a gentle, moving, needed reminder that loved ones lost will stay in our hearts, always.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This book captures the journey of loss so perfectly. Especially how much it hurts. You go through all kinds of emotions with both bears as the story leads up to Ida's passing. Love and caring for one another is emphasized as they deal with the devastating prognosis. That's how they get through it, by trying to be positive and helpful and taking advantage of every minute they have together. In the end, even though Ida is physically gone, her presence is often felt by Gus. The ending reminds us that closure is part of the journey. If you have a child who is experiencing loss or has been told a loved one is going to die - this is a solid and comforting resource to use. Reminded me that it's going to be okay......

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Book Review: Jack's Worry

Author/Illustrator: Sam Zuppardi
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: A touching and reassuring story about the jitters associated with first experiences — and the satisfaction that comes with conquering your fears. Jack loves playing the trumpet, and for weeks he’s been looking forward to taking part in his first concert. But on the morning of the big day, Jack finds he has a Worry. And his Worry starts to grow. Even when Jack’s mother calls him for a special breakfast, even when he hides under the bed or runs around the yard, his Worry follows him. Suddenly, when it’s almost time to leave for the concert, Jack finds it’s all too much. For anyone who’s ever been afraid of failing at something new, this book offers just what’s needed to shrink a Worry down to size.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Such a great book to help kids understand their anxiety and how to overcome it. I feel like I have so many kids who are dealing with worry. These worries are debilitating because kids don't know what to do other then Fight, Flight, or Freeze. 

Jack is worried about performing in a concert so he tries to deal with it by avoiding having to go. When his mom asks him if everything is OK, he cannot find the words to talk about his worry. Many children feel this way. He is afraid of making a mistake in the concert. His mom is able to reassure him that the concert is about having fun and not about being perfect. His worry begins to shrink. 

When he arrives at the concert he sees his friends are also covered with worry. So he helps them make their worries go away. As a counselor I am so happy to have this new resource. It's going to help me show kids how to open up, develop strategies, and face their fears. 

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Book Review: Charlotte and the Quiet Place

Author: Deborah Sosin
Illustrator: Sara Woolley
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

About This Book: Charlotte likes quiet. But wherever Charlotte goes, she is surrounded by noise, noise, noise — her yipping dog, Otto; the squeaky, creaky swings; the warbling, wailing sirens. Even in the library, children yammer and yell. Where can Charlotte find a quiet place? Sara Woolley’s magnificent watercolors bring Charlotte’s city to life when Otto leads her on a wild chase through the park. There, Charlotte discovers a quiet place where she never would have imagined!

Sometimes children need a break from our noisy, overstimulating world. Charlotte and the Quiet Place shows how a child learns and practices mindful breathing on her own and experiences the beauty of silence. All children can relate to the unfolding adventure and message of self-discovery and empowerment. Parents, teachers, and caretakers of highly active or sensitive children will find this story especially useful.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is such a helpful resource for self-regulation. I am using this to teach kids to take a break and find a quiet space in the classroom to get back to a calm state. There is also an awesome discussion guide you can use. So happy to have this new tool. It also fits perfectly with my Zones of Regulation lessons. 

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Book Review: Who We Are! All About Being the Same and Being Different

Author: Robie H Harris

Illustrator: Nadine Bernard Westcott

Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Young children are curious about almost everything. Asking questions is one of the many ways they learn about themselves and the world around them. The Lets Talk About YOU and ME series provides our youngest children with easy-to-understand facts and fascinating answers to their delightful, thoughtful, and often nonstop questions. 

Join Nellie, Gus, baby Jake, and their parents at Funland as they go on rides, watch performers, and play games with many other children and grown-ups. This enjoyable excursion can help children understand that people are the same as one another in lots of ways and different from one another in lots of ways. 

Accessible, humorous, family-filled illustrations; conversations between Gus and Nellie; and matter-of-fact text help children to realize why treating other people the way they want to be treated - and the way you want to be treated - matters, whether a person is a lot like you or different from you or is a friend or someone you have met or seen for the first time. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I'm adding this one to my kid's bookshelf at home and also here at school to use in lessons on differences. I see books like these as community builders. The more we teach and remind children how important, wonderful, and normal differences are - the more we become connected on a deeper level. 

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Book Review: What Happens When A Loved One Dies? Our First Talk About Death

Author: Dr. Jillian Roberts
Illustrator: Cindy Revell
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up
Book Series: Just Enough Series

From the Book Jacket: It can be difficult to know how to talk with children about death, whether they are experiencing grief and loss for the first time, or simply curious. Child Psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts created the Just Enough series to empower parents and caregivers to start conversations with little ones about challenging subject matter. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Kids have a lot of questions about death and dying. I thought this was a really informative book to help give children real answers and also comfort. 

Questions asked: What does death mean? Do people die too? What happens when someone dies? What happens to the person who has died? Where does that person go? What is a soul? Where does the soul go after a person dies? What is the afterlife? Will I ever see the person I love again? Why do I feel so sad? What can I do to feel better?

So happy to have this new recommendation for parents and children. 

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