Book Review: Deep Breaths

Author/Illustrator: Carol Thompson

From the Book Jacket: Dolly the Pig and Jack the Rabbit are best friends, but even best friends don't always get along. When Dolly and Jack have a big disagreement, they learn to count from ten to one, hum like a bee, and take long, deep breaths to calm down...and be zen friends again!

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Originally I thought this was going to be a book about mindfulness but it actually is a story about two friends who get mad at each other. They say some very hurtful things to each other but really don't mean it and really don't want to be upset with each other. They declare they are no longer friends. From there they use calming techniques to get rid of their anger. Eventually they find each other and the friends are reunited by telling each other how much they missed one another. It's a sweet story and I'm always looking for stories showing friends making up. 

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Book Reviews: Home Is a Window and Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend!

Author: Stephanie Parsley Ledyard
Illustrator: Chris Sasaki

From the Book Jacket: Home can be many things - a window, a doorway, a rug...or a hug. At home, everything always feels the same: comfortable and safe. But sometimes things change, and a home must be left behind. Follow a family as they leave their beloved old home and learn to make a new one in this heartfelt book. 

Author/Illustrator: Cori Doerrfeld

From the Book Jacket: Every goodbye brings a new beginning. Goodbye to snowmen means hello to stomping in puddles! Goodbye to the sun means hello to the stars! Sometimes goodbyes are especially hard, and sometimes new beginnings take time, but tomorrow always comes. This picture book follows two best friends as they help each other through life's transitions, both big and small!

Why They Are On My Bookshelf: I just discovered these two books and I'm so happy about it. I have a lot of requests for recommendations on helping kids transition to a new home/school or deal with a friend moving. They are also great read alouds for the classroom. 

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Book Review: Everyone...

Author/Illustrator: Christopher Silas Neal

From the Book Jacket: Happy one moment and sad the next - everyone has feelings. Everyone, cries, everyone laughs, everyone sings, Everyone. Author Christopher Silas Neal invites young readers to explore how we feel what we feel, and how everything -- and everyone -- feels it, too. From the animals in the woods to the neighbors in their homes nearby, everyone has feelings. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I thought this was a wonderful book to not just talk about feelings but to recognize everyone around us shares them too. It's a great community and empathy builder also.  If you need a new one to teach feelings, the zones of regulation, or help develop empathy - this is an awesome resource. 

We also are working on helping kids to be responsible for their emotions and take good care of them. So when students are having really big feelings about something, we can remind them to use the tools we have taught them to manage their behavior. I appreciate how this book helped us with that important social skill training. 

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