Books That Heal Kids: self-esteem

Showing posts with label self-esteem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self-esteem. Show all posts

Book Review: Rain Boy

Author/Illustrator: Dylan Glynn

From the Book Jacket: Rain Boy is not very popular. Wherever he goes he brings wet. But everyone loves Sun Kidd, who brings sunshine. Only Sun Kidd sees what's special about Rain Boy. But when she invites him to her birthday party, disaster strikes, and Rain Boy storms. Will the other kids ever appreciate Rain Boy for being himself? Can Rain boy learn to love his rain? This is a story with all the emotions of the rainbow and about isolation, individuality, and self-love. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This one is full of messages about including others, standing up for someone being bullied, and self-love. I think it would be a great community builder to help start relationships out with kindness. Everyone brings something a little different to the group. Lets teach kids to appreciate those qualities that are unique and special. Love this one!

A Link to This Book: 
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Book Review: I Am Enough

Author: Grace Byers
Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo

From the Book Jacket: "Like the sun, I'm here to shine." I Am Enough is an essential book for everyone - an inspiring lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This year I am going to be doing more groups on self-esteem and needed some new resources to help guide my work. This book is so beautiful and I see it setting the tone for the group sessions and an art project. The illustrations are gorgeous and the words are so uplifting. Excited to share this with students and express to them that they are MORE than enough. 

Book Trailer:


A Link to This Book: 
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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. 

A Link to This Book: 
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Book Review: Brave


Author: Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Interest Level: Ages 3 and Up

From the Book Jacket: An empowering picture book for all kids that demonstrates to children that they can be real-life superheroes and that all kids have what it takes to be brave. Superheroes seek adventure, never give up, and stay calm when others are 
afraid. Superheroes are brave. But they aren't the only ones.

Kids are brave every day. When they are told they are too little, but accomplish something big. When they check for monsters under the bed, just in case. When they face something uncertain, whether a thunderstorm or a hospital visit. When they stand up for what's right, even when it means facing consequences.

Like superheroes, brave kids can save the world, just by being brave.

Brave encourages kids to be brave in all the ways they can: trying new things, speaking their mind, confronting bullies, and more. This book will inspire kids to follow their hearts and to have courage, no matter the situation.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I've been looking for more books to help kids overcome fear and anxiety. Helping kids understand they have the power within themselves to face small and big obstacles is part of my daily job as a counselor. Brave is a confidence builder and I am using it to help kids develop their self-talk around using bravery to defeat problems. So happy to add this one to my shelf! 

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
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Book Review: A Little Bit of Oomph!



















Author: Barney Saltzberg
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

About This Book: How do you make the ordinary extraordinary? With a little bit of oomph! A Little Bit of Oomph! teaches the invaluable lesson of throwing your heart into whatever you’re doing and trying just a little bit harder— because with a little extra effort and a lot of oomph, you can make anything beautiful.
 

A Little Bit of Oomph! is filled with pop-ups, lift-the-flaps, spinning circles and gatefolds—and, underlying every page, Barney’s timeless message that creativity is for everyone. Just add a little bit of oomph.



Why It's On My Bookshelf: I'm working with students on Growth Mindset this year and I love this little gem. I like using the word OOMPH to describe perseverance. It's great motivation. We expect A LOT from students. They need lots of encouragement. This is a cute little read to provide that inspiration and support.

A Link to This Book and Others That Might be Helpful:

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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!

A Link to This Book:


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Book Review: Mixed Me!























Author: Taye Diggs
Illustrator: Shane Evans
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket:  My mom and dad say I'm a blend of dark and light. "We mixed you perfectly, and got you JUST RIGHT!" Mike has awesome hair. He has LOTS of energy! His parents love him. And Mike is a PERFECT blend of the two of them. Still, Mike has to answer LOTS of questions about being mixed. And he does, with LOTS of energy and joy in this charming story about a day in the life of a mixed-race child.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I've been using this as a read aloud with my K-3 grades and it is AWESOME. My hope is that it would bring more understanding, acceptance, and validation to children of all races. It did that and so much more. Our librarian also bought a copy for our library so kids can access it. As a counselor, I deeply appreciate a book that opens kids hearts to each other and helps take away any stigmas or negative messages that have been received regarding one's race.

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

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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




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

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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.

A Link to This Book:

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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 
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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

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Book Review: I Believe in You

Author/Illustrator: Marianne Richmond
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up
Publisher: Sourcebooks

From the Book Jacket: I Believe in You explores the powerful feeling in every parent's heart as you watch a child take on the big job of growing up. This inspiring and meaningful book puts into words the little moments that reveal just how much you believe in them, no matter what life throws their way.

Growing up is a roller coaster ride of emotion and adventure, asking a child to show self-confidence and courage that they may not know they have. Showing you will be by their side can mean the world to them and give them the strength they often so desperately need.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: As I move closer to the arrival of my due date. I am very drawn to books with the message of unconditional love. Using positive affirming language is very important to me as a parent. I Believe in You is perfect for our family bookshelf. It's the kind of story that helps your child feel supported and loved.
I love the first illustration. 
The baby is wearing a post it note that says "To Do: Be the Best You Can Be!"

You'll love every line. Nothing in it is cheesy and I can imagine children feeling really built up and strong after reading this with a parent. I'm hoping it becomes a favorite on my daughter's bookshelf. More than anything, I can't wait to watch her grow into a wonderful person - and as a parent I love the support from all of these lovely book finds.

A Link to This Book:
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Book Review: Perfect Square

Author/Illustrator: Michael Hall
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: A perfect square is transformed in this adventure story that will transport you far beyond the four equal sides of this square book.


Why It's On My Bookshelf: I love to look at a new book and find the secret little bibliotherapy message in it. Perfect Square is AWESOME. Each day something happens to the square. It's cut in pieces, torn in scraps, shredded to strips, and shattered. But when these things happen, it transforms itself into something beautiful like a fountain, a garden, or a park. Here's some example pages below:

On Saturday, the square was crumpled and ripped and wrinkled.

So it made itself into a mountain.

So what's my message to the kids going to be? Self-esteem! If something gets you down....you can turn it around. You can make lemonade out of lemons! This really feels like an empowerment story. It's also a great way to teach optimism. I even think there might be a lesson on bullying in this one. A lesson on how not to let bully words and behavior bring you down - find a way to keep yourself built up. Gonna have fun with this one!

A Link to This Book:
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Book Review: Cloudette















Author/Illustrator: Tom Lichentenheld
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

From the Book Jacket: Being small has its advantages...if you're a little cloud like Cloudette, you can always find a good spot to watch the fireworks. But what if you want to do something big, like help a garden grow? When a thunderstorm blows Cloudette far from her neighborhood, she discovers what a little cloud can do that makes a big difference.



Why It's On My Bookshelf: Cloudette has gotten a lot of praise and rightfully so. It's a 'build your kids up' kinda story. This little cloud knows she has gifts and is determined to not let anything stand in her way. I also love how she wants to do good - to be a blessing. She is a little cloud with a big heart. Being around children everyday I get to watch them discover themselves. Cloudette is an adorable story with a needed message to help kids be the best they can be.

A Link to This Book:
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Book Review: Raj the Bookstore Tiger


Author: Kathleen T. Pelley
Illustrated by Page Keiser
Interest Level: Ages 4-8
Click here for Discussion Activity Guide

From the Book Jacket: Being a bookstore "tiger" is lots of work. Raj has to patrol the storerooms, keep an eye on the front window (while sun basking, of course), and greet customers with a hearty meow. But Raj loves his job, especially story time with the children.

Things change when Snowball comes on the scene. The cranky cat's snide remarks cause Raj to doubt his own tigerness. So Raj is forced to figure out if he's just an ordinary kitty-cat after all...or if, just maybe, it's Snowball who's got it wrong.



Why It's On My Bookshelf: It is such a great feeling when you feel your best self. It's a fill you up happy state called high self-esteem. But there is nothing worse when it all of a sudden plummets. And why did it plummet? WHAM - you got knocked down by a put down. This is what happens in one of my new favorites Raj the Bookstore Tiger. Another cat named Snowball takes over his turf by using put-downs and bully behavior.

I see this happen in school ALL the time. A student arrives in the morning all cheery and ready to learn and then I see them at their last recess looking absolutely broken. Whoa. What happened? A lot of times it's negative comments or mean words they received at one point during their day from another student. Just like Raj they feel withdrawn and a bit hopeless... like they want to disappear. Any power they once felt they had - poof - it disappeared. Enter one of my favorite words - EMPOWER. Raj teaches kids to stand up for themselves, don't believe in the put-downs, and guard your self-esteem. You have the POWER to not allow your self-esteem to plummet in the first place. I get excited teaching kids this stuff!

Something else I liked about this story is how Snowball and Raj didn't remain enemies but they became friends. It didn't end with Snowball being condemned as the bully and Raj as the hero. It made them equal and showed the possibility of healing a situation even when a major hurt has been caused. Stories that bring characters together are ones I relish reading to kids. Ask your students to look around the room at each other...who do they need to have healing with? This book will give them inspiration to do so.

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


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Book Review: Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three Rules for a Happier Life

Author: Carol McCloud
Illustrated by Penny Weber
Book Website: www.bucketfillers101.com 
Interest Level: Grades 3 and Up
Chapter Book

From the Book Jacket: Do you know you have an invisible bucket which is filled with all of your good thoughts and feelings? If you're new to the concepts of bucket filling and bucket dipping, then this book is for you. With  easy-to-read chapters, colorful illustrations, and daily questions to help readers become better bucket fillers, Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three Rules for a Happier Life gives readers the tools to live a life filled with happiness.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: When I got this awesome new addition to my bucket books I had a little fun with it. So I hid it behind my back when I showed it to my 3-5th graders. They've heard Have You Filled a Bucket and How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids countless times over the years so I knew they'd be a little shocked and excited about this new one - because it is totally geared to their age. And of course when I showed what I was hiding, they were eagerly wanting me to read it and wanted to know when it would also be available in our school library.

It's a chapter book and well.....it's PERFECT. The kids are learning all kinds of new things about bucket filling:
  • BFF = Bucket Fillers Forever (and here you thought it meant best friends forever)
  • Group Bucket Filling
  • How To Avoid Dipping
  • Accidental Dipping
  • Thoughtless Dipping
  • Selective Dipping
  • Group Dipping
  • Dipping on Television
  • Long-Handled Dipping
  • Use Your Lid (I've been waiting for someone to use that idea when it comes to bucket filling.  Protect your bucket from getting dipped in the first place. Love it.)
  • Use Your Lid for Others
  • Advanced Bucket Fillers
  • When A Lid Doesn't Work
If you are a bucket believer then I know you just got a little giddy about the above list. I haven't created any lessons to go with the book yet so I've been playing it by ear and basically doing discussion as we read it. I am sensing from the kids that they would really like to have their own copy to read from. It also has cool pictures throughout. We have ordered a few copies for our school library and they will definitely be in HOT demand. I encourage teachers (grades 3 and up) to have a copy in their kid reading library. Your students will thank you. It could also be a great read aloud to increase your classroom climate. Now who is not for that!?  

Group Dipping


Use Your Lid
Hoping more bucket books are going to be published. They are an INVALUABLE resource for children.

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:   
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Book Review: Melissa Parkington's Beautiful, Beautiful Hair

Author: Pat Brisson
Illustrated by Suzanne Bloom
Interest Level: Ages 4-10

From the Book Jacket: "Spectacular! Gorgeous! Fabulous!" Those are some of the words people use to describe Melissa Parkington's hair, which is long, thick, and so shiny that it seems to sparkle. But Melissa Parkington would like to be known for more than her hair. After all, her hair isn't really an accomplishment. It just grows out of her head. Melissa wants to do something special, something spectacular. but everything she tries doesn't seem to work out the way she plans. Then one day she discovers that she can do something special - with her hair. Pat Brisson's engaging and heartfelt story of a young girl who longs to do something positive in the world features lively illustrations by Suzanne Bloom.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Often times I think about writing a blog post of my top 10 favorite books...which would be extremely difficult because I cherish SO many. However, Melissa Parkington's Beautiful, Beautiful Hair would make the list in a heartbeat. First time I read the story it left me with an incredible warmth. But what really warmed my heart was how the students felt about this story. They were changed because of it.

Melissa Parkington is adored because of her hair. Everywhere she goes this outer beauty is pointed out to her. Even her father says at bedtime, "Good night, my Melissa of the Beautiful, Beautiful Hair." But the constant praise starts to bother her, Melissa would rather be recognized and celebrated for her inner beauty. LOVE IT. It was so powerful to introduce the concept of inner vs outer beauty to the kids. Reminded me of the saying, 'It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, it matters what's on the inside.' This generation of kiddos doesn't hear that enough.

Melissa's dad complimenting her hair
So Melissa begins a journey to discover her inner beauty. When she receives a compliment for the kindness shown to two younger children she begins to understand her amazing caring nature for others. One day Melissa sees a sign at a beauty salon lookng for people wanting to donate their hair to kids who need wigs. Helping another boy or girl in need is what her heart desires. And guess what....she still feels just as beautiful without her locks. I asked the students, "Do you think she'll regret her good deed?' SHOUTING ERUPTED: "NO!" They got a bit passionate and protective of Melissa's amazing heart.  

 A woman (who looks like she has a lot of outer beauty
going on) can't believe Melissa would want to cut her beautiful hair

The kids love her act of kindness but it was really the last few pages that seemed to steal the show. This time Melissa's dad compliments her differently, "Good night, my Melissa of the Beautiful, Beautiful Heart." Does that not just say it all!!? 

The last lines of the story are SO touching. Sigh.
After we finished the story, we talked about the importance of giving compliments aimed at each other's inner beauty. Then we took the time to do just that. It's pretty amazing hearing kids give such heartfelt authentic compliments to each other. Kids need to hear the message given to us so wonderfully by author Pat Brisson. Take the time to discuss compliments, kindness, and the importance of focusing on inner and not outer beauty. A book written and illustrated so perfectly like this is a rarity.

A Link to This Book:
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