Book Review: Willow Finds a Way


















Author: Lana Button
Illustrator: Tania Howells
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: In Willow's class, Kristabelle was the boss. Willow wants to go to Kristabelle's fantastic birthday party. So even though she'd rather not, Willow sits at Kristabelle's table for snack, claps for her tricks on the climber, and wears pink, Kristabelle's favorite color. But when her bossy classmate un-invites some children from her party, Willow finds a way - a quiet but sure Willow way - to say "no."

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Dear Bossy Kids: watch out!! Because this book empowers kids to stand up to unkindness. Willow Finds a Way starts out with a birthday party where everyone is included. Sounds great! However, when kids don't do everything Kristabelle says - exclusiveness enters the scene. She immediately starts crossing kids names off of her public birthday list. Very hurtful. But no one wants to stand up to her mean ways. The author uses lines like: You're not my friend anymore. These words really sting. And I have heard that phrase (emotional weapon) used by kids.

Willow overcomes her fears of standing up to Kristabelle and decides to cross her own name off the birthday list. Soon all the kids follow suit and do the same. The consequences of social isolation cause Kristabelle to reconsider her ways and she apologizes by tearing up the list and making things right. Children struggling with a bossy friend will not only relate to this story but be able to find a way to assert themselves in a manner that makes them feel safe and not controlled by mean behavior.

Read my Willow's Whispers review here .

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful: 


Being the Best Me! Series

Be Positive!
A sense of optimism is a key ingredient to success in life. Guide young children to develop a positive outlook and discover how the choices they make can lead to feeling happy and capable. This friendly, encouraging book introduces preschool and primary-age children to ways of thinking and acting that will help them feel good about themselves and their lives, stay on course when things don't go their way, and contribute to other people's happiness. 















Feel Confident!
Empower children to recognize their individual worth and develop confidence in themselves, their abilities, and the choices they make. Children learn that they can speak up, expect and show respect, try new things, and believe in themselves. Confidence-building skills of accepting yourself, asking for what you need, making decisions, solving problems, and communicating are also discussed. Young children will respond to the true-to-life situations and colorful illustrations. 

Why They Are On My Bookshelf:  These are wonderful! They are uplifting and build self-esteem. The illustrations depict kids in situations where they are trying something new, helping someone, figuring out a problem, or expressing themselves in a positive manner. They feel like bucket filling books.  Great fit for preschool/kindergarten kids. 

Let me share some of the words from the books. 

From Be Positive:
I can choose to be positive
I can decide to think happy thoughts about people and things around me. 
Doing something nice for someone can help me feel happy faster than anything else. 
Things won't always go the way I want, but I can keep trying. 
Even when something seems bad, I can learn from it of find some good in it. 

From Feel Confident: 
I can choose to think confident thoughts. (do my best, be brave, believe, dare, learn, trust, imagine, keep trying, I can do it)
When there is a problem, I can try to do something about it, or ask for help. 
I believe that I can do hard things. 
I'm able to speak up and tell people how I feel and what I want.  

Excited to have these as a counselor but also looking forward to sharing them with my daughter. 


A Link to These Books:  


  You can also find them at Free Spirit Publishing 

Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster

Author/Illustrator: Michelle Nelson-Schmidt
Book Website: whatifmonsters.com

About This Book: Jonathan James' Whatif Monster asks all kinds of questions to stop him from trying new things: What if it's scary? What if they laugh? What if it's hard? Until finally, Jonathan James has some questions of his own: What if they don't? What if it isn't? What then?

The child-friendly rhyming tale provides the ideal antidote for every child's occasional bouts of self-doubt and fear of trying something new. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Kids can develop a lot of fears and anxiety about ALL sorts of things. It can be really tough sometimes to know how to reassure kids they are safe and everything is going to work out. Well, my load just got lessened thanks to this INCREDIBLE resource Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster AND you can get a plush Whatif monster!! Kids are capable of managing their fears but they need tools exactly like this one to help them through their feelings of insecurity.

I like the simple message in the book.....just try, take the risk, and you will find a positive on the other side of the fear. Kids have a huge fear of failure. I want to hit home with kids that you can still come out on top even if it felt like you were defeated. Keep trying and don't buy in to the negative WHATIF monster. I can see this being used in a variety of helpful ways to counselors, teachers, and parents.  LOVE LOVE this resource.
 
Find the book and Whatif Plush Monster HERE

Mindsets in the Classroom

Author: Mary Cay Ricci

From the Book Jacket: When students believe that dedication and hard work can change their performance in school, they grow to become resilient, successful students. Inspired by the popular mindset idea that hard work and effort can lead to success, Mindsets in the Classroom provides educators with ideas for ways to build a growth mindset school culture, wherein students are challenged to change their thinking about their abilities and potential. The book includes a planning template, step-by-step description of a growth mindset culture, and "look-fors" for adopting a differentiated, responsive instruction model teachers can use immediately in their classrooms. It also highlights the importance of critical thinking and teaching students to learn from failure. The book includes a sample professional development plan and ideas for communicating the mindset concept to parents. With this book's easy-to-follow advice, tasks, and strategies, teachers can grow a love of learning in their students.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I'm not in the position to review this book yet because I just got it. But it looks so fabulous and we have talked about the adult version of Mindset in my school before. I had no idea there was a KID version so thank you to the person who commented in one of my blog posts that they use it as a resource. So excited to start reading it. I am always looking for creative inspiration in my profession and I really see this bringing forth A LOT of change in students' thinking.

A Link to This Book:

Book Review: Visiting Feelings

by Lauren Rubenstein
illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger
Publisher: Magination Press

From the Book Jacket: Visiting Feelings harnesses a young child's innate capacity to fully experience the present moment. Rather than label or define specific emotions and feelings, Visiting Feelings, invites children to sense, explore, and befriend all of their feelings with acceptance and equanimity. Children can explore their emotions with their senses and gain an understanding of how feelings can lodge in the body, as conveyed by common expressions like "a pit in the stomach" or "a lump in the throat."

Children can cultivate mindfulness and nurture their emotional intelligence. In essence, mindfulness is tuning into yourself and paying attention to the present moment without judging or analyzing what you are thinking or feeling. Practicing mindfulness can enhance many aspects of a person's well-being, help develop insight and empathy, and build resilience.

**A Note to Parents provides more information about emotional awareness and  mindfulness; plus practical advice and activities for introducing mindfulness into your home and daily family routine.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Visiting Feelings is really helping me work with children who go into shutdown mode. Helping kids tune into their emotions can be really challenging and it's important I have lots of different types of feelings books on my shelf. This definitely sparks deeper thinking and gently encourages openness. It's been perfect for a small group setting with an art therapy. activity My goal for all the students in my school is that I am able to help their emotional intelligence grow. There are so many things we can do to help teach children how to tap into their feelings. This is a GREAT resource to do so.

A Link to This Book: 

Book Review: Your Fantastic Elastic Brain




















Author: JoAnn Deak
Illustrator: Sarah Ackerley
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

About This Book: This innovative and timely picture book teaches children that they have the ability to stretch and grow their own brains. It also delivers the crucial message that mistakes are an essential part of learning. 



Why It's On My Bookshelf: I have been wanting this book FOREVER. It was picked as one of our Book of the Month selections at school so copies were ordered for everyone! So why is this book so uber cool in my opinion? It teaches kids ALL about their brains but most importantly:
  • learning new things strengthens the brain
  • making mistakes is one of the best ways your brain learns and grows
  • you can STRETCH the part of your brain that controls your feelings
And much more........

Don't these seem like things kids should know and understand? And shouldn't we be reinforcing these messages as they navigate their ever complicated world? Love this resource and I think it should be on EVERY teacher's shelf in America. Seriously.

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful: 



Book Review: The Invisible Boy

Author: Trudy Ludwig
Illustrator: Patrice Barton
Interest Level: Ages 6 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party...until, that is, a new kid comes to class.

When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine. This gentle story shows how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish. Any parent, teacher, or counselor looking for material that sensitively addresses the needs of quieter children will find The Invisible Boy a valuable and important resource.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: "The number one thing kids want is to feel they belong and are accepted." I will always remember those words which were spoken by a close mentor of mine when I was in graduate school. So when I read The Invisible Boy that quote spoke to me again. It's also speaking to my students....especially the kids who are hurting on the inside. Hurting for a friend.


Brian is completely shunned in the story - treated as if he does not even exist. The kids who are doing this think they are the cool ones. They have labeled Brian as uncool in their minds. But a new student Justin comes along who does not box kids into any sort of category or stereotype. I LOVE seeing this issue addressed because sometimes I worry we are not talking about it enough - and that's how bullying can take birth. Minds and belief sets were changed through this lesson.

Trudy's new book is exceptional. Probably one of the most important books I will read all year long. It's REAL, beautiful, inspiring, and has helped kick our school year off in a spirit of kindness and inclusiveness. 

Check out this Bullying Book Discussion Guide from Random House. It's SUPER helpful.

A Link to This Book:

Book Review: The Very Inappropriate Word

Author: Jim Tobin
Illustrator: Dave Coverly
Interest Level: Ages 6 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Michael loved collecting words. Big words like smithereens, little words like vast, and fast words like dragster. Then one day, he picked up a new word. A BAD word. An INAPPROPRIATE word. At least that's what his sister said. But Michael kind of liked the word and thought he might try it out. At school. Bad idea.




Why It's On My Bookshelf: We are not going to stop kids from learning inappropriate words. Last week a 2nd grade student was upset with a peer over a small problem. She handled it by getting a piece of paper and wrote one word on it - the F word. Then handed it to the girl. I was a little stunned by her behavior but not shocked. Words have power - especially bad ones. Kids figure this out quickly. The Very Inappropriate Word is the resource I've been waiting for because it's actually helpful. The story ends encouraging children to expand their vocabulary in a positive way. So instead of writing nasty notes we can remind kids there is a world of words they can use to express themselves with dignity and respect. This is a great read aloud for my social skills lessons - but I also cannot wait to use this with my daughter someday. 

A Link to This Book:




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.

A Link to This Book:

Book Review: The Peace Rose

 




















Written and Illustrated by Alicia Jewell
Interest Level: Ages 3 and Up

About This Book: A peace book for children ages 3 and up, introducing the skill of solving problems with the use of a peace rose. This book consists of three every-day problem-solving vignettes, modeled with clear, simple language, and contains sixteen beautiful full-color illustrations of the children involved. The Peace Rose encourages the independent and peaceful resolution of difficulties between children in a classroom, at home, or anyplace where children gather. At the end, a three page Teachers Guide helps the adult to model and encourage use of the peace rose.






Why It's On My Bookshelf: I wish I would have purchased this book a LONG LONG time ago. It's so simple and easy for children to understand. It's going to work great for teaching kids how to communicate their feelings using I-Statement language. Having kids use a rose to pass back and forth as they talk to each other is such a wonderful act of peace and friendship. And now that I have a Peace Table in my counseling room - I can help kids use this process to solve conflicts. I'm so happy about this book!

A Link to This Book:


Take a look at the Peace Table/Break Area I have been putting together this year......












Sources:
Believe You Can Sign: HERE
How Are You Feeling/Reflection/Take A Break Signs/Calming Cards: HERE
Lamp, Pillows, Blue Rug, Basket: IKEA
Sand Tray: Amazon
Only One You Puppet: Amazon
Feelings Books: I will blog about these soon!