Have you noticed that children’s books aren’t just for children? As I add books to my pop-up bookshop, I am drawn to books that are about speaking up, making a difference, and following your dreams. Wouldn’t you know that as I reimagine my business, I have been taking courses, listening to podcasts, and reading books about these very things. We’re all just kids still figuring out how to make those dreams come true, aren’t we? As a young girl I devoured books and wrote stories and poems. In college I became an English major (many books and much writing), and in grad school I pursued a graduate degree in Education (loved all subjects but especially all things literacy). As a classroom teacher for 12 years I became a coach and mentor working to make sure my quiet students were heard, that all students discovered their strengths and especially their voice during our writers’ workshop. Publishing my students’ stories and hosting an annual Authors’ Tea for families was my delight. It was always a magical night! After my first son was diagnosed with Cornelia deLange Syndrome, I pivoted from classroom teaching to leading writing workshops, camps, story times with my son tagging along, and selling children’s books…always celebrating the stories that connect us and the power of words to effect change. It turns out that my son, Benjamin, has extremely limited speech due to apraxia. His brain is unable to make and deliver correct movement directions to his lips, jaw, and tongue. Thankfully he is able to say “mom” and “dad” along with “hi” and “bye”! He is able to communicate his wants and needs by using a speech app on an iPad, and that has made all the difference. And believe me, he has found his voice! So with this importance of voice in my own life, how delighted I was to discover the amazing books, Say Something and Find Your Voice! Say Something was written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds for young children. It opens with “The world needs your voice.” I just love that. And there are so many ways to say something. It doesn’t have to be with words! A diverse group of children show that you can say something with a paintbrush, with planting seeds in an empty lot, writing a poem, sharing your brilliant idea, and speaking out about injustice. Whether just one person listens or the whole world pays attention, keep sharing what is in your heart, says Reynolds. This book is perfect for children ages 3 to 8, but I know a few adults would benefit from hearing the words, as well!
Find Your Voice: A Guided Journal for Writing Your Truth was written by Angie Thomas, the author of the incredible YA novel The Hate U Give! She shares so many truths with aspiring young writers in just the first few pages: “Practice makes greatness.” “If you write, then you’re a writer with a capital W.” “The desire to tell the story has to outweigh the fear.” Solid gold for young and not-so-young aspiring writers! Thomas also gets practical and specific with sections on character, setting, dialogue, problems, story structure, subplots, and more. This journal is perfect for youth age 10 and above. There are exercises throughout with plenty of space for writing. Thomas shared a powerful story in The Hate U Give and is lighting the way for others to follow in her footsteps with this inspiring and practical guided journal. I highly recommend it! Purchase Say Something from Bookshop Purchase Say Something from Amazon Purchase Find Your Voice from Bookshop Purchase Find Your Voice from Amazon Disclosure: For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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Interest Level: 3 to 8 years Author: Britney Winn Lee Illustrator: Jacob Souva Publisher: Beaming Books, 2019 Retail: $17.99 Are you raising or teaching a child with big feelings? The Boy with Big, Big Feelings is such a great book and is a great way to start a conversation to validate all the feelings our young ones experience! As a sensitive mom herself to two boys with sensory processing disorder (SPD) and social anxiety, I definitely recognized familiar scenes in this sweet book. It features a sensitive little boy whose feelings are so big that they show up in his body. The shadows at night, the rumble of a truck, or a change in plans lead to big emotions. The boy in the book even feels the feelings of those around him, something my now ten-year-old recently shared happens to him. One day on the playground the boy meets a friend who feels things a little extra big, too. In sharing their big hearts, they also discover that other children experience big emotions and that feelings aren’t meant to be hidden away. Beaming Books shares six ways to help little ones with big feelings: *Celebrate Sensitivity *Rehearse Transitions *Give Language *Stay Steady *Maintain Boundaries *Discuss Your Feelings, too. Purchase from Bookshop Purchase from Amazon Disclosure: For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. The storyline in The Boy With Big, Big Feelings reminds me in many ways of one of my favorite books from Barefoot Books, The Boy Who Grew Flowers! Rink Bowagon is a shy boy who has a very unique talent of sprouting flowers all over his body whenever there is a full moon. Because he is shy and different, his horrible teacher puts him at the back of the room and his classmates ignore him. One day a new girl joins the class, and Rink's life is changed forever. I won't give the story away but will say that it melts my heart each time I read it. The new girl, Angelina Quiz not only has one leg shorter than the other but also holds a secret that deepens their friendship that much more. At the time I first read this story my oldest son had been recently diagnosed with a genetic syndrome called Cornelia deLange Syndrome or CdLS. We didn't know anything about CdLS but first impressions from the research showed a life of challenges and a grim prognosis. Though our little boy was born "different" from most, we loved him unconditionally as our little Benjamin. It was worrisome to think that he would grow up in a world where people wouldn't love and care for him the way we did. Reading The Boy Who Grew Flowers brought so many tears as Rink's differences are embraced by a new friend. It melted my heart and will always be one of my favorites. When I learned that the author, Jen Wojtowicz, wrote it in recognition of her brother who has autism, it meant even more. Jen is an artist who happens to write and teaches artists who also happen to have disabilities. I am so grateful she created this beautiful, well-written story and that Steve Adams brought it to life with his dreamy illustrations. I am also incredibly grateful to have met many people over the past 14 years who embrace our joyful, unique son, Benjamin, and see him and not his disabilities first. He is Benjamin who happens to have CdLS. |
About the Author
I am a mom to two sweet and lively boys and live in Santa Barbara, California. My oldest has Cornelia deLange Syndrome. He fuels my passion for advocating for equity and inclusion wherever I go. I love the power of a good story to inspire, educate, and make change in our world. Archives
April 2022
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