Blog Archives
From Gray to Colorful
The Gratitude Goggles follows young children as they discover the concept of gratitude and the pitfalls of comparison and want in how it impacts their mental health and well-being. What was the inspiration for your story?
Since I became a mother five years ago, I have been working on myself and trying to be the best version of myself. I have explored many resources (e.g., books, workshops), to learn and to grow spiritually. One lesson that I have learned during my journey of personal growth is the importance of gratitude to support our wellbeing. I wanted to share this message with my children and with other children. The idea of goggles that we can wear to change our perspective (from gray to colorful) came to mind as a way to explain what gratitude can do in our lives.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The core idea in this book is that gratitude can help to bring back some color into our lives when everything looks dull and gray; there is extensive research supporting the positive effects of gratitude on well-being and on physical and mental health. Another message I wanted to relay in this book is that many times we may be tempted to compare ourselves to others or we may think that buying new things or changing something about ourselves will make us happier, which is not the case. We are constantly bombarded by messages (through ads or social media, for example) telling us that we are not enough or that we don’t have enough, which may make us feel inadequate and even depressed. Gratitude can help to combat those feelings of inadequacy and the ensuing depression.
The art in this book really brings the concepts to life for young children through the visual representations. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Rita Nilson?
I am so grateful to be able to work with Rita Nilson on these books. I explored collaborations with different illustrators, and Rita was a perfect fit. Not only is she an amazing artist, but she is also a mother and she has a sensitive and kind soul. Thus, she perfectly understood the intimate and tender feeling that I want to convey with The Gratitude Goggles and other books in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series.
Regarding our collaboration, we usually discuss ideas before she starts creating a storyboard. Sometimes, I will quickly sketch things that I have in mind and send sketches to her; she then takes those ideas and runs with them, adding her beautiful artistic touch.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The following book in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series is called The Puzzle Piece, and it talks about authenticity and loving ourselves just the way we are. We have not officially announced the launch date yet, but it will be in May this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
The Gratitude Goggles guides children as they imagine a special pair of goggles that can appear by simply feeling gratitude. These are goggles that reveal the world in its true, colorful splendor. The book explains the pitfalls of comparison and want, which can cast a gray pall over everything—as if we were wearing gray goggles. But fear not; we can always trade our gray goggles for the sparkling gratitude ones, thereby illuminating life’s wonders!
I Breathe For Me
I Breathe for Me, by Reesa Shayne, emerges as a thoughtful and educational picture book, particularly beneficial for young readers. This book delves into the importance of breathing as a fundamental tool for managing emotions. Shayne introduces simple yet effective breathing techniques, making it accessible for children to discover their inner strength in moments of distress, anxiety, or when seeking tranquility.
The book presents these concepts in a manner that resonates well with toddlers, who often grapple with understanding and regulating their emotions. Shayne’s approach, utilizing breathing as a practical method for emotional control, offers a valuable strategy for both parents and children. A notable element of the book is the introduction of ‘Gabby’s Corner,’ a designated space for the character to unwind and engage in positive affirmations. This inclusion not only adds a unique touch to the story but also serves as a practical example for young readers to create their own safe space for relaxation and self-affirmation. The book culminates with a helpful section titled ‘A Daily Breathing Exercise in 5 Easy Steps.’ This addition is particularly helpful as it provides a structured activity that parents and children can practice together, further reinforcing the book’s teachings.
I Breathe for Me stands out as an engaging and educational children’s book, especially suitable for parents and their young children. It offers practical, easy-to-follow techniques for emotional regulation, making it a beneficial addition to any young reader’s library.
Pages: 42 | ASIN : B0CCGSQQCH
Grumpy Grump
Grumpy Grump, by Ruthie Godfrey, is a captivating children’s book that tells the story of Gloria, a young girl who symbolically dons a “grumpy” blanket to express her discontent. Noticing her sour mood, her mother gently guides her on a neighborhood walk, exposing her to the joy and wonder of the outside world. This simple yet profound journey helps Gloria shed her irritable demeanor, illustrating the transformative power of a positive environment.
Ruthie Godfrey’s work stands out for its engaging narrative and moving underlying message. The book offers young readers a delightful blend of engaging dialogue, a compelling and accessible plot, and a deeper lesson about emotional management. Gloria’s character is a relatable figure for children, depicting the universal struggle with negative emotions and presenting a healthy strategy for overcoming them. The narrative conveys that indulging in crankiness is not only unproductive but also detracts from the beauty and excitement of the world. The high-quality, cleverly designed illustrations in the book are a visual treat, capturing children’s attention from the outset and maintaining their engagement throughout the story. These illustrations complement the text beautifully, enhancing the book’s educational value. The dialogue is crafted with young readers in mind, featuring clear, understandable language and a brisk pace that holds their interest without overwhelming them. This approach is particularly effective for an audience with a shorter attention span, making the book a perfect choice for elementary school reading or a soothing bedtime story.
Grumpy Grump is a valuable tool for teaching positivity and resilience. Its appeal lies not only in its narrative and artistic merits but also in its ability to impart an important life lesson to its young readers.
Pages: 39 | ASIN : B0C5CHB8N6
Being The Best You
Ruby the Emotional Stingray follows a stingray family who, together, teach and learn how to manage their emotions. What was the inspiration for your story?
As an adult, I have struggled with understanding and processing my emotions, and I’ve always said I wish I would’ve had a way to learn this sooner. After my grandfather passed away, I was at the beach by myself, watching the sun come up, and I finally decided that I was going to be the one to create such a book. If I could help just one child learn and understand their emotions, what causes them, and how to control them that’s the difference I want to make.
Children are often fascinated by aquariums and all the different sea life in the ocean. What made you choose a Stingray for your main character?
I have always been drawn to aquariums myself, so much so that it is my goal to visit every aquarium. I came up with Ruby when I was at the beach last year. I got up every morning before the sun came up to welcome the day and spend time with the animals. every morning I would walk the beach and I would see the same baby stingray every morning. I would sit and watch it, and that’s when I knew I had to finally start my dream of writing a book. Stingrays are amazing creatures, and it seemed very fitting. Stingrays have always been my favorite.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
My main goal was to give tools that would be easy to remember but strong enough to make a difference. Emotions can have a huge impact on your day-to-day life, and having that outlet and understanding can make a major difference.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, this is the first book in the series but not the last by far! I expect the next book will be out before Thanksgiving of this year. Right now, there is a journal that goes with the lessons that Ruby has learned that children can use to put these tools to use. The next book will cover some very important topics essential to learn at a young age such as self-love, being the best you, and other topics that will help make kids feel like they are not alone. It will give them easy tools that will have a positive impact on their growth.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Amazon
This book follows the journey of Ruby as she learns to navigate her emotions and communicate effectively with those around her. Throughout the story, readers will meet Ruby’s family and best friend Diamond, and witness her experience a range of emotions, including anger, fear, and sadness. With the guidance of her parents, Ruby learns valuable skills for managing her emotions and handling difficult situations. Overall, Ruby the Emotional Stingray is a heartwarming and educational story that will resonate with readers of all ages.
The Love Knot: An Empowering Children’s Book to Work Through Thoughts And Feelings
Step into the enchanting world of Ollie the otter with The Love Knot. This heartwarming tale introduces readers to Ollie, who’s about to make a big splash by joining the boys’ raft. But even with the excitement, Ollie finds himself tangled in a net of anxiety, fearing he might just drift away into the night. Luckily, his family dives into the rescue, filling his days with joyful activities to untangle those worries. And when Ollie’s mom shares a precious love knot, suddenly, he’s armed with the confidence to set sail with the boys.
The Love Knot is not just a story; it’s a beautifully illustrated journey that gently reassures young readers about the normality of anxiety. Through the lovable character Ollie, author Vassi Rombis becomes the guide, helping kids navigate their emotions and showing them how to navigate the waves. This book is a gem to read to toddlers who surf through various emotions daily, assuring them that it’s all part of the ride. The illustrations are vibrant and lively, reminiscent of a favorite cartoon, making the story even more engaging. And don’t miss the cool otter fun facts at the end – a clever touch that adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
The Love Knot comes with my enthusiastic recommendation for parents aiming to create an atmosphere of open dialogue about feelings. This book isn’t just a story; it’s a stepping stone to building emotional intelligence in young hearts.
Pages: 39 | ASIN : B0CCYYXTHP
Hidden Within Us; A Radical New Understanding of the Mind-Body Connection
In Hidden Within Us Samuel J. Mann, MD, offers a groundbreaking exploration of the mind-body connection, shedding new light on the concept of repression. Far from being a disease, Dr. Mann argues that repression serves as a powerful tool for coping with traumatic experiences. Drawing from extensive research and years of experience, he presents a compelling theory on the impact of repressed emotions on physical health, suggesting that long-buried feelings can contribute to a range of medical conditions.
Dr. Mann’s revolutionary approach in the medical field opens up new avenues for treatment and discovery. He supports his claims with captivating case studies and insightful patient interviews, providing readers with a valuable understanding of this complex subject matter.
Written in an accessible and elegant style, Hidden Within Us avoids confusing medical jargon and adopts a nurturing, insightful tone that resonates with readers. Dr. Mann’s empathetic approach to his patients’ coping mechanisms enables him to delve deep into the mind-body connection.
One of the most progressive aspects of this book is Dr. Mann’s perspective on hypertension. He posits that repression can be harnessed as a gift, sharing powerful stories of patients whose uncontrolled hypertension was ultimately triggered by repressed emotions. In doing so, he challenges conventional notions of repression as a pathological condition, presenting his insights and observations without undermining existing studies.
From unraveling the enigma of paroxysmal hypertension to examining repressed emotions in other contexts, Hidden Within Us serves as an essential guide for healthcare professionals and anyone interested in the interplay between emotional and physical health. Dr. Mann has masterfully articulated his ideas in a way that is both comprehensive and accessible, making this work an enlightening read regardless of one’s medical background.
Pages: 203 | ASIN : B09YZ4CYVC
Harmony Dances On: A Book About Grief
It is hard to lose a loved one, especially as a child. When Harmony’s mother dies, she says that the pain is worse than anything else she has ever felt. She exsperances the emotions of anger, fear, and sadness and even finds chances to feel happy and hopeful. This vast range of emotions confuses her and even scares her when she momently forgets about her mom while dancing. Thankfully she has supportive family and friends around her that help her through this painful time.
Harmony Dances On: A Book About Grief by Mandy Woolf is a heartfelt story about a little girl managing the loss of her mom. Grief is a complicated emotion that is made up of many different feelings and exsperances. Harmony finds some comfort in her mother’s scarf; wrapping it around her and smelling it reminds her of her mom. She struggles with resuming normal activities like going to school and returning to her dancing. I loved how the author shows the other adults in Harmony’s life struggling with finding the right words but also being patient and understanding, showing that adults struggle with how to help their child process and deal with grief too.
Elmira Georgieva’s illustrations really bring out the emotions of the characters. I can relate to the grandmother wanting to take away Harmony’s pain and support her. The activities that are included at the end of this story are invaluable to helping families deal with grief. I loved the emotions wheel; it helps kids identify the different things they are feeling and understand that they can feel more than one thing at a time. I found “The 3 P’s” activity especially useful, not just for dealing with grief, but for every day to remind children to work at a healthy mindset each and every day.
Harmony Dances On: A Book About Grief is a well-written children’s book about a difficult topic. The author shows great compassion and understanding of children’s emotions in this picture book. This is a wonderful book to have on hand to help children that may experience a tremendous loss like Harmony.
Pages: 34 | ISBN : 1922670960
A Butterfly’s Song
A small little butterfly emerges from her cocoon, amazed by the world around her. Her joy and wonder are soon diminished as a bright-colored, and outgoing butterfly group flutters by but ignores her when she tries to make friends. Pupa is not brightly colored or large like the other butterflies and blends into the land around her. She feels as if there is nothing special about her and grows sadder at the moment. When she tries to sing like a nightingale, she is unable to and curls up crying. When a kind and friendly, gentle breeze spots Pupa, he stops to show her that she has beautiful music inside her and teaches her that she is special.
A Butterfly’s Song by Tuula Pere is a magical story for children that teaches them that how a person is on the inside is more important than what they look like or what special skills they have, like singing. They will learn that real beauty comes from inside and that everyone is unique and has something to contribute, even if it seems small. This wonderful message about positive self-esteem and not trying to be something that you are not are important lessons for young children to grasp early on. The sooner they learn that they are perfect just the way they are, the sooner they will discover their hidden talents and abilities.
The illustrations by Roksolana Panchyshyn in this picture book are whimsical and engaging. Children will be able to see the emotions Pupa is feeling as they read through this story. Each full-colored page will draw in children and keep them engaged in the tale.
I recommend A Butterfly’s Song by Tuula Pere for all preschool and kindergarten classrooms and for families. This beautifully written story will inspire children to love themselves and appreciate who they are.
Pages: 38 | ISBN : 9523578421
LITERARY TITAN 