Learning to Shine

Glow Girl by award-winning author Michelle Weidenbenner is the first book in the Droit series. It blends the appeal of a traditional middle-school storyline ( a girl must grapple with the weight and responsibilities of accepting, acknowledging, and using her... Continue reading →

The Healing Power of Friendship

Greenhorn written by Anna Olswanger and illustrated by Miriam Nerlove introduces young readers to a difficult yet important subject: the Holocaust. It is best read with a parent as the story touches on some of the horrific atrocities perpetrated by... Continue reading →

Hidden Gifts

With wry humor, parents often observe their children’s fascination with the packaging in which a toy arrives. Here's a box-shaped book that explores the creative magic of boxes. Continue reading →

Help Kids Find, Share Inner Strength

Children need Emotional Intelligence, They benefit from learning how to express and manage emotions in a safe and healthy way, how to name them, how to talk about them, and how to express them. This ability is an important element of Emotional Intelligence. Continue reading →

A Release Valve for the Pressure Cooker of Emotions

Helping children strengthen and expand their emotional regulation skills is an important parental responsibility. It can also be tricky and awkward. Chandra Ghosh Ippen’s newest book, Holdin Pott again steps into the fray to serve up an important message: Don’t... Continue reading →

Every Voice Counts

The books reviewed on this blog voice and reflect some of my core values. An emphasis on kindness forms a recurring thread as does inclusivity and empathy. Peter H. Reynolds, an author featured several times has created another gem, Say... Continue reading →

Snippets of Kindness: the Power of One

Diane Alber wrote and illustrated Snippets: A Story about Paper Shapes. It is a clever, charming book which at first glance appears to be about having fun with arts and crafts materials. If one pauses to read the Dedication, however, the... Continue reading →

Trading the Monochrome for a Spectrum of Color

Humans, like all animals, experience a level of comfort and security when they feel included in a group that reflects who they are, how they behave and what beliefs they share. While such tribalism can engender a certain level of security, all... Continue reading →

Families Come in Different Shapes and Sizes

Mary Hoffman, author of the highly acclaimed Amazing Grace picture book series, has written a powerful book about families: The Great Big Book of Families. This book is big both in physical size and in scope. It depicts a comprehensive... Continue reading →

Empathy Is an Inside Job

November … thoughts of Thanksgiving, family and festive gatherings come to mind. I can think of no better way to mark this important time than by focusing on having empathy and being kind, inclusive and responsible for our own choices. In her... Continue reading →