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Storytelling Heals, Teaches, and Inspires
This anthology of children’s stories teaches children about emotional intelligence, for example, courage, empathy, and understanding. What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write The Magic in Metaphor?
The Magic in Metaphor was sparked by the profound challenges of the pandemic, which illuminated the emotional toll on both adults and children. As a hypnotherapist, I’ve seen the transformative power of metaphorical storytelling in healing and growth. The rising concern among my clients about their children’s well-being—echoed by reports on increasing mental health emergencies among youth—inspired me to take action. This book is crafted to arm families with the tools needed to guide children through the emotional challenges of these trying times.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
It was vital to integrate aspects of emotional learning that aren’t always addressed in traditional education. I wanted to ensure each story would foster emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and self-reflection, empowering children to navigate life’s challenges with resilience, empathy, and understanding.
What is your background and experience in writing, and how did it help you write The Magic in Metaphor?
With a background in mental health and hypnotherapy, I focused on my ability to communicate complex concepts in a simple way. My experience guiding others through personal journeys informed the narrative structure of the book and allowed me to create stories that children and adults alike can relate to.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope readers recognize the profound power of storytelling to not only entertain but also to heal, teach, and inspire. If each reader, young or old, comes away with a deeper empathy for themselves and others, and the courage to face their own stories, “The Magic in Metaphor” will have fulfilled its purpose.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
From Archie, the lovable puppy overcoming his first-day anxiety at Doggie Daycare, to Cally, the caterpillar bracing for her transformative journey into a butterfly, each narrative serves as a metaphor for real-life experiences, helping children navigate their own emotional landscapes.
Beyond the compelling narratives, this book provides a unique blend of therapeutic value, offering detailed insight into each story, suggested activities for children, and highlighted activities for parents, teachers, and counselors to engage with children.
The Magic In Metaphor is more than a collection of tales; it’s a comprehensive guide that equips adults with the tools to foster emotional intelligence, personal growth, and emotional expression in children.
The Magic In Metaphor
The Magic in Metaphor: Empowering Children Through Healing Stories is an enchanting and heartwarming anthology of stories meticulously crafted to guide young children on their journey to understanding emotional intelligence. Within its collection of 25 tales, each narrative introduces an animated character navigating the intricacies of their journey with imaginative anecdotes of emotional growth.
A great thing about The Magic in Metaphor is how it helps kids develop empathy and understand emotions better. The book does this by letting them dive into the stories of animated characters. It’s like they’re walking in the characters’ shoes and feeling what they feel. This makes it easier for children to grasp how people’s feelings work and how relationships can be complex.
Author Harley Sears has crafted an incredible resource that is entertaining and educational. The stories within this collection are skillfully designed to engage young minds, sparking thoughtful conversations and introspection. For instance, in the book, children get to link feelings with colors and things they do. Connecting emotions with what they see and do makes it easier for them to think about why they feel a certain way and how they can learn from it. It’s like a fun journey of getting to know themselves!
This book is not just great for helping kids understand their feelings, but it also allows parents and teachers to explain things in a more hands-on way. When children read this book, it sparks their imagination and makes them think about their experiences. That’s a fantastic way for them to learn and grow emotionally.
Pages: 192 | ASIN : B0C8F2GJVD
What Are Mondays Good For, Anyway?
Who likes Mondays? Monday morning means the fun from the weekend is over, and it is time to return to school. Bennie hates Mondays and dreads them each week. This Monday starts off with stinky green socks coming out of his favorite cereal box. At first, Bennie is irritated, but a small smile creeps across his face as he sees the humor in the situation. As his day continues, all the things he thinks he dreads about the day end up offering a glimpse of amusement. Can Mondays actually be good for something?
What are Mondays good for, anyway? by Nicole Frankel is a humorous picture book that teaches children to find the positive in things. Each situation that Bennie encounters could have been a disaster and made him grumpy all day. Instead, he finds something to smile or laugh about with each situation and, by the end of the day, realizes he has actually enjoyed his Monday. This story is a good reminder that just because something unexpected happens, it is not automatically a bad thing. It helps teach children to see things in a different light and look closer at situations. For example, Bennie could have been mad when he fell but instead saw the smile the fallen cereal made. Finding the good in all circumstances is a skill set that children need to learn early in life to help them through the more challenging areas as they grow.
I feel that one of the most important messages in this picture book is that we need to find a reason to laugh every day. Laughter can be healing, and smiling is contagious. What are Mondays good for, anyway? Is a wonderful children’s book with children and adults laughing and relating to little Bennie. The reminder to find joy and laughter in situations will benefit readers, young and old.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B0BVWL596S
The Decision to Kill
When a crime is committed, numerous questions are asked. But if that crime rips apart the very core of a family, the only question to ask is why? When everything about who you are and who you love is torn apart, what have you got left to stand for? And would you overcome all the pain and sorrow to see justice prevail? Would you fight for your family? Is blood thicker than water? And in the end, could you say that you still love after so long of feeling nothing but hate?
The Decision to Kill: A True Crime Story of a Teenage Killer and the Mother Who Loved Him is brought to us by Leslie Ghiglieri. It is a memoir and true crime book that documents the investigation and murder trial of Dwayne Weir, a 16-year-old boy accused of murdering his father. The author shares all the gruesome details surrounding the case but does so in as respectful a manner as she can. The story is told from the perspective of his mother, Cherie. She talks us through the whole story, their lives, the events leading up to the murder, and what happens after.
The author has included real courtroom accounts and expert testimony on not just the actual murder but the mental state of Dwayne. What I really enjoyed about it was the use of actual letters written by Dwayne. This really gave an insight into his mental state and showed how far he retreated into the dark corners of his mind. But this tale is as much about his mother if anything. Her quest for the truth and her battle to understand is almost too hard to bare. Her struggle to move forward and reconcile her feelings for her son after what he did is heartwrenching. This is a story no mother ever wants to be a part of.
The Decision to Kill is an emotionally charged biography and true crime story. This gripping story will engage readers as they follow the tragedy and follow along as the family searches for the answer to why. A must-read for any fans of true crime.
Pages: 340 | ASIN : B09ZNKF28B
LITERARY TITAN 