Books That Heal Kids: strengths and talents

Showing posts with label strengths and talents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strengths and talents. Show all posts

Book Review: I Can Be Anything! Don't Tell Me I Can't

Author/Illustrator: Diane Dillon
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Like most girls and boys, Zoe enthusiastically embraces the wonders of our world and its infinite possibilities. "I can be anything I want to be!" she tells us, presenting herself in a range of careers. "But what if you fail?" asks a voice of doubt that attempts to undermine her confidence.

Bold and sassy, Zoe swats the voice away at every turn, declaring her certainty with a charisma that will encourage us all to silence the fears projected onto us by our world. Why can't a girl grow up to be President? Zoe can! When the voice of doubt continues, Zoe knows exactly what to say: "Go away, voice... I can be anything... but first, I have to learn to read. And don't tell me I can't!"

Award-winner Diane Dillon has created a winning character who defies anything to hold her back from achieving her goals. And the key to Zoe's future success begins when Zoe defiantly opens her book, making it clear that both confidence and reading are tools we all need to make our dreams come true.


Why It's On My Bookshelf: I'm a little blown away by the awesomeness of this book. It's like career development wrapped up with growth mindset and telling those negative voices in our head to get lost!!! Because we can be anything! I just can't recommend this one enough. This is definitely my favorite "What do you want to be when you grow up?" book out there! A big message is packed into this story. LOVE. 

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Book Review: Be Who You Are


Author/Illustrator: Todd Parr
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Be who you are: Be proud of where you're from. Be a different color. Speak your language. Wear everything you need to be you. JUST BE WHO YOU ARE! 
Todd Parr's bold messages and bright picture encourage readers to embrace all their unique qualities. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: A lot of self-esteem problems could be solved through these important words - BE WHO YOU ARE! It seems like it has been awhile since I have seen a story around this theme published. Sometimes I get focused on other skills and character traits when working with kids so it was refreshing to see this new one. Helping kids build confidence and pride in who they are is at the top of my list. My daughter was giggling at the illustrations and by the end she was exclaiming JUST BE WHO YOU ARE!

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Book Review: The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever


Author: J. Joseph Hopkins
Illustrator: Jill McElmurry
Interest Level: Ages 6 and Up

About This Book: Unearth the true story of green-thumbed pioneer and activist Kate Sessions, who helped San Diego grow from a dry desert town into a lush, leafy city known for its gorgeous parks and gardens.

Katherine Olivia Sessions never thought she’d live in a place without trees. After all, Kate grew up among the towering pines and redwoods of Northern California. But after becoming the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science, she took a job as a teacher far south in the dry desert town of San Diego. Where there were almost no trees.

Kate decided that San Diego needed trees more than anything else. So this trailblazing young woman singlehandedly started a massive movement that transformed the town into the green, garden-filled oasis it is today. Now, more than 100 years after Kate first arrived in San Diego, her gorgeous gardens and parks can be found all over the city. 


Why It's On My Bookshelf: I've been trying to pump up my career lessons and this new book has it all! It also reinforces the other messages I've been teaching this year around growth mindset, personal power, and perseverance. Not to mention it's a wonderful true story for girls who are interested in science. It's very well written. My main takeaway was that if you have an idea - you CAN accomplish it and overcome obstacles. Katherine LITERALLY changed the landscape of San Diego. Great read. 

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Book Review: I Think, I Am!: Teaching Kids the Power of Affirmations


Authors: Louise Hay and Kristina Tracy
Illustrator: Manuela Schwarz
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: "Your thoughts create your life!" This is the message that Louise Hay has been teaching people throughout the world for more than 25 years. Now, children can learn and understand the powerful idea that they have control over their thoughts and words, and in turn, what happens in their life. 

Within the pages of I Think, I Am! kids will find out the difference between negative thoughts and positive affirmations. Fun illustrations and simple text demonstrate how to make the change from negative thoughts and words to those that are positive. The happiness and confidence that come from this ability is something children ail carry with them their entire lives!

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This book has been a total game changer for me as a strong counseling technique. It has really taken some of my lessons to a whole new level and the response I'm seeing from kids is unbelievable. Teaching kids they have control over their thoughts is huge - it can change a hard day to an incredible day. I Think, I Am! does such a wonderful job of teaching kids what a positive affirmation is and how to challenge negative ones. There are 13 examples in the book like, "I can't believe I forgot my sweater. I always forget everything!" "I don't like my hair. I wish it were hers!" "If I don't do what they want, they will be mad at me." The situations are easy to relate to. I cannot recommend this book enough. Get it on your shelf immediately!

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Book Review: Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin






















Author: Chieri Uegaki 
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: When Hana announces that she'll be playing violin in the school talent show, her brothers laugh so hard they nearly fall out of a tree. But Hana doesn't let that stop her - she practices and practices, inspired by memories of the time she spent in Japan with her ojiichan, a professional violinist. But when the day of the performance arrives, will she be able to overcome a sudden case of nerves? From the author of the bestselling Suki's Kimono comes a celebration of music, individuality and the very special bond between a child and her grandparent. 



Why It's On My Bookshelf: I love finding these stories. It's awesome to discover your talent. But it can be so defeating when you are mocked for that gift. Hana does not give up or give in to quitting. She continues to pursue her passion. I try and tell kids when we don't follow our hearts desires then how can we fulfill our purpose? That's our jobs as humans. To fill ourselves up with the things we love to do. What an inspiring read for children and adults. 

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Book Review: A Is For Awesome


Author/Illustrator: Dallas Clayton
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: This is a book about the alphabet and all the wonderful letters it contains. It's also a book about possibilities, about all the possible words there are. Once you gather letters together, you can mix them  up in whatever order you choose; you can make up whatever words you like. Big words, small words, old words, new words - even words that no one has ever said before. Once you've learned this alphabet, think about all the other alphabets out there, and all the other languages and all the other words all over the world. Imagine how many great things you'll get to read and write and sing and say. It's going to be awesome!

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I run self-esteem groups throughout the year for students and we often do a name acronym activity. We choose a lot of uplifting adjectives. I came across A is for Awesome and am so excited to have this as part of my lesson. Reading it will help get some inspiration going as we start the activity. Plus it's such a cool book!

I is IMAGINE IDEAS all your own
J JUST remember you're never alone
K is for KIDS being KIDS (that's the coolest)
L is for LIVING LIFE up to its fullest




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Book Review: Wilma Unlimited


Author: Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: David Diaz
Interest Level: Ages 6 and Up

From the Book Jacket: One of the most energetic kids in the town Clarksville, Tennessee, Wilma loves to run and laugh and play with her nineteen older brothers and sisters. But before she's five years old, she gets very sick, and the doctor's news is not good: polio has paralyzed her left leg. Everyone says that Wilma will never walk again. 

Wilma refuses to believe it. Not only will she walk again, she vows, she'll run. It takes years. It takes hard work. But at last she does run - across the basketball court, around the track, and eventually, all the way to the Olympic Games.  

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is an inspiring story to read after winter break. I'm already thinking about June! We all need a good dose of PERSEVERANCE! We live in a time when kids expect an immediate reward without putting in the hard work. We need to encourage children to establish a target and practice their skills to achieve it. Even if it's a small goal...like finishing a book. We will be using Wilma Unlimited as our school's book of the month and I am so happy that ALL of our students will get to hear her story and learn the importance of perseverance.

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Book Review: Whale Shines - An Artistic Tale



Author/Illustrator: Fiona Robinson
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: All day, Whale swims through the ocean, advertising the annual art exhibition. Whale sees the beautiful things his friends make - Hammerhead's salvage sculptures, Giant Squid's ink paintings, Eel's patterns in the sand - and wishes he could be an artist too. If only he weren't so big, clumsy, and uninspired. Then one day, with help from a very unexpected source, he discovers his own distinct point of view and talent. This is a tale about defying expectation and finding the artist within.

At one point whale sinks to the bottom of the ocean floor. It's important to point out how we all sometimes get that sinking feeling and can feel really low.

 This was a great lead-in to negative self talk and all of the UNtruths we tell ourselves.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I almost passed this one up. That would have been a huge mistake. But the cover pulled me in and I had to see what it was all about. Whale's journey is everybody's journey. He doesn't believe he can do it, that he has no worth, and compares himself to others. He also has a lot of negative self-talk going on. He says a lot of "I can't" through the book. I am reading this book K-5 because I feel so strongly that kids are suffering with self-doubt throughout the school year. I want to help be their champ and turn themselves into their own champs. This is just the story. Also, a wonderful reminder to help be a cheerleader for others when they are down. Great stuff here.

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Book Review: Rosie Revere, Engineer



Author: Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
Interest Level: Ages and Up

From the Book Jacket: This is the story of Rosie Revere, who dreamed of becoming a great engineer. Where some people see rubbish, Rosie Revere sees inspiration. Alone in her room at night, shy Rosie constructs great inventions from odds and ends. Hot dog dispensers, helium pants, python-repelling cheese hats: Rosie's gizmos would astound - if she ever let anyone see them away under her bed. Until a fateful visit from her great-great-aunt Rose, who shows her that a first flop isn't something to fear - it's something to celebrate.



Why It's On My Bookshelf: I really loved Iggy Peck, Architect. So when a teacher alerted me a second book was coming out about a GIRL I was ecstatic. Rosie Revere has a creative mind and has lots of big ideas. But when she tries to build something and it turns out to be a disaster - she doubts herself and decides she's a failure. Luckily her aunt teaches her a very important lesson - The only true failure can come if you quit. You will also see Iggy Peck in Rosie's classroom.

This year my school is really focusing on career education. Nice to have this on my shelf to help encourage children to follow a path towards whatever they aspire to be.

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Book Review: Crafty Chloe


Author: Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: Heather Ross
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up
Book Website: Crafty Chloe

From the Book Jacket: Chloe has a crafty solution to every problem. But when she needs the perfect birthday present for her best friend, Emma, she starts to feel a little insecure. How can a handmade gift ever make the cut? Even if it is very purple?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Chloe is everything we want our kids to be. I'm so incredibly happy I discovered this book so I can share her example of kindness, the reminder to be yourself, and be proud of your strengths.

Chloe is put down by a girl, London, for making something homemade for Emma's birthday gift. London has bought a Flower Girl doll from the store which is something Emma really wanted. On the way to the birthday party London accidentally drops the doll and her dog tears up it's clothes. That's when Chloe's kindness shines. Her gift was a dress she had sewn for the doll. You might think she would let London learn her lesson for being so mean but she doesn't.

More than all the googly eyes in the world, Chloe wanted to say, Well, good luck with that! But instead she lifted the lid on her box and she pulled out a perfectly purple dress. "She can wear this."

It's very hard in life to sometimes show respect and kindness to someone who has been disrespectful and hurtful towards your feelings. Chloe is an awesome example of GOODNESS. I absolutely loved this story and it's been a MEGA HIT with kids. We are ordering it for our school library and of course I'm going to have to get a copy for my daughter. THIS BOOK IS A MUST MUST READ.

Kelly DiPucchio is also the author of one of my favorite books The Sandwich Swap.

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Book Review: Brontorina

Author: James Howe
illustrated by Randy Cecil
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

Publisher's NoteBrontorina had a dream. I want to dance! But Brontorina was rather large - too large to fit in Madame Lucille's dance studio. And Brontorina did not have the right shoes - and everyone knows you can't dance without the proper dance shoes. Still, Brontorina knew, deep in her heart, that she was meant to be a ballerina.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: If you were at Barnes and Noble a couple of Sundays ago and saw a grown woman reading a children's book with a big adorable dinosaur on the cover and hugging it afterwards...well, that would be ME. What's so great about those moments is when I realize how much the kids are going to enjoy my new find for them. And it is an AWESOME find. Brontorina covers acceptance, rejection, being yourself, differences, and following your dreams quite beautifully.

When Brontorina enters Madame Lucille's Dance Academy she is met with warmth and curiosity. But she's also met with a little bit of an attitude by two girls who just can't seem to find anything nice to say. It's like they want her to fail. They have a very minor role but I pointed out their put-downs. A kiddo said, "They are trying to stand in front of her dream!" Luckily, there are two other dancers, Clara and Jack, who want nothing more then to help her succeed. We need to lift each other up - not cut each other down. This was a well received message thanks to Brontorina. Major kudos to the author for picking a dinosaur to be a ballerina. This kept both boys and girls engaged. The last illustration got a heartwarming "AHHHHHH" from all the students. Oh, and from me too!

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