Journal
Journal
DownloadBook Recommendations for Children
'An absolute darling of a book. Its portrayal of children who find it hard to communicate, or have specific interests that are puzzling to others, is kind, sensitive and warming' Discover Children's Books
A warm and affectionate look at the joys and difficulties of making and keeping friends, relating to others, and finding your place in the world.
A reassuring and sensitive book – the perfect springboard for talking to children about sharing their hidden worries. From the Big Bright Feelings series by Tom Percival
'If your child has a worry - and all children do have worries - this is the ideal book to encourage them to talk about it' Parents In Touch
A perceptive and poignant story that is a must-have for all children's bookshelves. From Tom Percival's bestselling Big Bright Feelings series, this is the perfect book for discussing childhood worries and anxieties, no matter how big or small they may be.
'If your child has a worry - and all children do have worries - this is the ideal book to encourage them to talk about it' Parents In Touch
A perceptive and poignant story that is a must-have for all children's bookshelves. From Tom Percival's bestselling Big Bright Feelings series, this is the perfect book for discussing childhood worries and anxieties, no matter how big or small they may be.
Bold, bright and empowering, this is an inspiring story about coping with difficult situations. It's the ideal book for helping children to build resilience and embrace a 'can do' approach to life. Tom Percival's Big Bright Feelings series is the perfect springboard for conversations about mental and emotional health, positive self-image, building self-confidence and managing feelings.
A clever and engaging book about temper tantrums, dealing with emotions and learning to express and understand your feelings. From Tom Percival's bestselling Big Bright Feelings series, this is the perfect book for helping with bad days and noisy outbursts.
Nominated for the BookTrust StoryTime Prize 2020
Simple, playful, and with delightful illustrations, Alphabreaths is the perfect introduction to mindfulness and breath awareness.
Mindfulness means being fully in the present moment. Children can learn how to manage their emotions, make good choices, and balance their busy lives by learning to be mindful, express emotions through speech, find empathy through imagination, and wonder at the beauty of the natural world.
“There are times when I worry about what might happen next and what happened before. The thoughts in my head are like rushing water, and I feel like a boat with no anchor . . . being carried away. I give myself a moment. I take a breath.”
Find Your Calm is part of the Growing Hearts & Minds picture book series. It's a perfect addition to your home or school social-emotional library!
Murray Bear has lots of worries. What if the waterfall he’s visiting is too loud? What if he’s not very good at climbing? And what if all his friends laugh at him? With the help of his sister, Milly, Murray makes a special box in which to keep all his worries. But can the worry box really help? With wonderfully soft illustrations from Sean Julian (I'll Love You For Ever, A Friend Like You, Bear Can't Sleep!), this is the perfect book for children dealing with anxiety or feeling nervous about starting at a new school or nursery.
Santiago didn’t feel like smiling. He didn’t feel like playing. Ever since his family moved, Santiago didn’t feel like doing much. But with the help of a new friend, Santiago begins to understand that making room for all his feelings-- including sadness, is a way of being kind to himself. He also learns that the dark clouds will be followed by sunshine again.
Your child can follow along as Santiago finds that it’s okay to be sad. By paying attention to what he’s feeling Santiago can get the support he needs.
Santiago’s Sadness includes coping tools and activities that reinforce the story's message at the end of the book.
Your child can follow along as Santiago finds that it’s okay to be sad. By paying attention to what he’s feeling Santiago can get the support he needs.
Santiago’s Sadness includes coping tools and activities that reinforce the story's message at the end of the book.
You are the only you there ever has been or ever will be. You are unique in all the universe. Just the odds of you being here at this exact place and this exact time are so great and so rare that it will never happen again.
Written by New York Times best-selling author Kobi Yamada, this is a story for everything you will do and everything you can be. It’s a story about all the possibilities ahead of you. It’s for who you are right now and it’s for all the magical, unbounded potential you hold inside. With its beautiful visual storytelling and timeless message, Maybe is an inspiring story for kids of all ages.
The perfect soothing read for quiet time, "Happy" gently encourages young readers to explore their emotions and the beautiful world around them. This poetic journey to a place of happiness and calm will inspire and empower your child to enjoy the practice of mindfulness.
How will you know what's possible if you don't try?
This is a story for anyone who has ever felt like a beginner, or had doubts, or worried they weren't good enough. It's a story for those who have experienced the pain of trying something new and not having it turn out as they had hoped.
Written by New York Times best-selling author Kobi Yamada, this captivating book celebrates the way failure is the just the beginning of the journey. With alluring black-and-white illustrations and a powerful message, this beautiful tale is about how failure has so much to offer--lessons that help us learn, grow, and discover all the amazing things we can do.
This is a story for anyone who has ever felt like a beginner, or had doubts, or worried they weren't good enough. It's a story for those who have experienced the pain of trying something new and not having it turn out as they had hoped.
Written by New York Times best-selling author Kobi Yamada, this captivating book celebrates the way failure is the just the beginning of the journey. With alluring black-and-white illustrations and a powerful message, this beautiful tale is about how failure has so much to offer--lessons that help us learn, grow, and discover all the amazing things we can do.
This is a story about noticing the little things, the grand big things, the imaginary, and sometimes, hidden things. It is about embracing what's possible. And that the incredible is everywhere, and in everything--waiting to be known, discovered, recognized.
This beautiful tale by New York Times best-selling author Kobi Yamada and illustrator Elise Hurst encourages readers of all ages to slow down and look at the world with their hearts--to use their imagination to expand their vision. A companion to the beloved children's book Trying, Noticing follows a young girl and an accomplished painter as they learn to observe the beauty and magic in each day. It's a story that will encourage you to pay attention, to make new discoveries, and to explore the unknown. And it's also an invitation to look within, to your own hopes and dreams, and perhaps to discover even more.
We can learn a lot about joy from a dog. At least, that's what Abuela tells Nico when he visits her and her dog, Kiki. Nico's not so sure. Kiki doesn't have to deal with schoolwork. Or chores. Or early bedtime! But after spending an afternoon at Abuela's house, Nico accepts her challenge to be more like Kiki. Nico soon finds that Kiki may be on to something after all as he discovers the power of paying attention to small moments.
Our brains are wired to focus on negative things. They're excellent at noticing what's not going well. Finding Joy reminds us to pause and practice looking for the good in everyday moments we often overlook. It's a wonderful addition to your home or school social-emotional library.
Finding Joy is part of the Growing Hearts & Minds Series.
Finding Joy is part of the Growing Hearts & Minds Series.
Did you know you can stretch and grow your own brain? Or that making mistakes is one of the best ways your brain learns? Awarded as one of the best growth mindset books for kids, Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It teaches all the ways that the brain can develop with exercise, just like the rest of our bodies.
Educator and psychologist Dr. JoAnn Deak offers a fun and engaging introduction to the anatomy and functions of the brain that will empower each young reader to S-T-R-E-T-C-H and grow their fantastic, elastic brain!Looking for award-winning picture books for curious kids? Your Fantastic Elastic Brain is the perfect fit. Dr. Deak shares information in ways that are accessible for parents, teachers, and children alike. Delightful illustrations with accurate details foster motivation to learn and grow in new ways.
Using up-to-date research to explore our brains' critical functions when we are asleep, psychology experts JoAnn and Terrence Deak invite kids (*and adults too!:) to unpack all the amazing things your brain is doing when you're not awake—and why it's so important to get your sleep!
Amaya, the little girl we're following, was like a walking storm cloud. But is Amaya just 'the angry one'? Nope! In 'Amaya's Anger,' you'll join her on a journey to uncover what's really cooking underneath her anger. Along the way, she figures out how to name and talk about her feelings, and, surprise, deep breaths can actually help!:)
What does being present look like? Noticing when someone in your class needs help and taking the time to help them.
Sound like? The rain outside your window.
Smell like? Briny seaweed at the beach.
Taste like? A bite of orange.
Feel like? Allowing the rhythm of your breath, in and out ... to make you feel peaceful.
Do YOU have the magic breath? Let’s see… Take a deeeeeep breath in… and BLOW it ouy... and like magic, you can feel better just by breathing! Sometimes it’s hard to feel happy. But with this interactive picture book, children breathe along as they learn how to make angry or sad thoughts disappear.
In a world that is sometimes too busy, with too many things going on, My Magic Breath will help steer children into a serene space of mindfulness, self-awareness, and balance.
Children can develop greater joy and concentration through the practices of mindfulness and meditation, and Moody Cow Meditates is the perfect way to introduce them. This vibrant and funny children's book is a playful way to introduce children to the power of meditation. With full color illustrations by the author, Moody Cow Meditates is a wonderful book for parents and children to share together.
All of us, adults and children, struggle with ‘Moody Cow’ days sometimes, where we feel caught up in our anger and other emotions. This book is an accessible introduction to using mindfulness to find relief and calm.
Gold NAPPA Winner (National Parenting Publications Awards) What to Do When You Worry Too Much guides children and parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques most often used in the treatment of anxiety.
Did you know that worries are like tomatoes? No, you can't eat them, but you can make them grow, simply by paying attention to them. If your worries have grown so big that they bother you almost every day, this book is for you. Lively metaphors and humorous illustrations make the concepts and strategies easy to understand, while clear how-to steps and prompts to draw and write help children to master new skills related to reducing anxiety. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering kids to overcoming their overgrown worries. Includes a note to parents by psychologist and author Dawn Huebner, PhD.
A Gold NAPPA (National Parenting Publications Awards) winner Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Activity Books (Silver).
Did you know that people have brain sorters that keep their brains from getting cluttered with unnecessary thoughts? Sometimes these brain sorters get mixed up, though, and brains get clogged with thoughts that really bother kids. If that has happened to you, if it's hard for you to feel safe or sure of yourself because certain thoughts have gotten stuck, this book is for you. What To Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder. This interactive self-help book turns kids into super-sleuths who can recognize and more appropriately respond to OCD's tricks. With engaging examples, activities, and step-by-step instructions, it helps children master the skills needed to break free from OCD's sticky thoughts and urges, and live happier lives.
Honors NAPPA (National Parenting Publications Awards) Winner What to Do When Bad Habits Take Hold provides the keys to escape from a variety of pesky habits. Nail biting. Thumb sucking. Hair twirling. Scab picking. Shirt chewing.
Do you have a habit that's hard to stop? A habit that embarrasses you or gets you in trouble? If so, you're not alone. Lots of kids have habits they wish they could lose. But habits are stronger than wishes. They lock on, holding you tight. Even if you want to break free, you can't. Unless you have the keys. Engaging examples, lively illustrations, and step-by-step instructions teach essential habit-busting strategies, targeting everything from nail biting and thumb sucking to shirt chewing, hair twirling, and more. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to set themselves free.
iParenting Media Award Winner Mom's Choice Award 2009 Gold Recipient for Self Improvement (Ages 9–12) 2009 Young Voices Award, Children's Interactive (Silver).
This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to fall asleep and stay asleep. Wouldn't it be great if you could climb into bed, snuggle under your covers, and fall asleep without any fuss or fear? Without listening for noises or thinking about bad guys? Without an extra drink, or an extra hug, or an extra trip to the bathroom? Bedtime is tough for many kids. If you're a kid who dreads your bed, and you're convinced that nothing short of magic will make nighttime easier, this book is for you. What to Do When You Dread Your Bed guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat problems with sleep. Fears, busy brains, restless bodies, and overdependence on parents are all tackled as children gain the skills they need for more peaceful nights. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to fall asleep and stay asleep — like magic!
What to Do When Your Temper Flares guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat problems with anger.
Engaging examples, lively illustrations, and step-by-step instructions teach children a set of "anger dousing" methods aimed at cooling angry thoughts and controlling angry actions, resulting in calmer, more effective kids. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to work toward change.
Did you know that life is like an obstacle course? It's exciting and fun, but full of tricky spots to get through. If you're a kid who feels so frustrated by those tricky spots that it's hard to enjoy the good things in life, this book is for you.
What to Do When You Grumble Too Much guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat negative thinking. Lively metaphors and illustrations help kids see life's hurdles in a new way, while drawing and writing activities help them master skills to get over those hurdles. And step-by-step instructions point the way toward becoming happier, more positive kids. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to work toward change.
Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers by psychologist and author Dawn Huebner, PhD.
Book Recommendations for Adults
Mindfulness—the quality of attention that combines full awareness with acceptance of each moment, just as it is—is gaining broad acceptance among mental health professionals as an adjunct to treatment. This little book is a very appealing introduction to mindfulness meditation for children and their parents. In a simple and accessible way, it describes what mindfulness is and how mindfulness-based practices can help children calm down, become more focused, fall asleep more easily, alleviate worry, manage anger, and generally become more patient and aware. The book contains eleven practices that focus on just these scenarios, along with short examples and anecdotes throughout.
In The Little Frog Awakes, Eline Snel offers parents of young children advice and tools for responding mindfully and effectively in the moment. These skills help us regain trust in ourselves and in the integral wholeness of our kids. And when we make mindfulness practice a part of daily life, it gives our children a powerful message on how to recognize, name, and deal with emotions and situations.
Drawing on stunning new findings in neurobiology and attachment research, they explain how interpersonal relationships directly impact the development of the brain, and offer parents a step-by-step approach to forming a deeper understanding of their own life stories, which will help them raise compassionate and resilient children.
In an age of scheduling demands and digital distractions, showing up for your child might sound like a tall order. But as bestselling authors Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson reassuringly explain, it doesn’t take a lot of time, energy, or money. Instead, showing up means offering a quality of presence. And it’s simple to provide once you understand the four building blocks of a child’s healthy development.
- Cope with your child’s negative feelings, such as frustration, anger, and disappointment
- Express your strong feelings without being hurtful
- Engage your child’s willing cooperation
- Set firm limits and maintain goodwill
- Use alternatives to punishment that promote self-discipline
- Understand the difference between helpful and unhelpful praise
- Resolve family conflicts peacefully
Growing Up Mindful helps parents, educators, and counselors learn how to embody and share the skills of mindfulness that will empower our children with resilience throughout their lives.