Toothbrushing with Maggie and Mommy (Sparkly Smiles Series)

Written by Heidi Rocha, RDH

Illustrated by Noni-Ayanna and Gobern-Roach

This is the first book of a series written by a Dental Hygienist. The picture book with large, easy to read print and engaging illustrations features a little girl named Maggie and her mom.

Mom visits Maggie’s preschool and uses her stuffed dinosaur to demonstrate the proper way to brush teeth. This book will be appreciated by parents of preschoolers and pediatric dentists. There is a bonus activity chart to record progress and a find the hidden object page. The book is even approved by every little child’s friend, The Tooth Fairy.

Highly recommended, especially for parents and teachers of preschool children.

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Mommy Has a Monster on her Back!: A Story about Chronic Illness

Written by Liz Long

Illustrated by Ethan Roffler

The author and illustrator have succeeded in creating a beautiful picture book with an important message for young children.

This book is done in soft pastels and features words in bold that play on the different feelings engendered by chronic physical or mental illness. The illness is compared to a monster on mommy’s back. Some days are easy and others hard but mommy learns to deal with the illness and the child sees the need for resilience and acceptance. By using humor and analogies, even a preschooler can understand chronic illness.

Highly recommended for families and counselors who deal with chronic or physical illness.

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Daily Confidence Boosters Checklist
Goal: Help your child build confidence through daily, simple actions that promote self-awareness, self-expression, and resilience.

1. Encourage Self-Expression
   • How: Give your child a chance to express themselves creatively each day, whether through drawing, writing, dancing, or speaking up about their feelings.
   • Why: Self-expression is key to developing a strong sense of identity and confidence in their own voice.
2. Morning Affirmations
   • How: Encourage your child to start their day with a positive statement. They can say something like, “I am strong, I am kind, I can do hard things.”
   • Why: Affirmations set a positive tone for the day, helping children build a mindset of self-belief and optimism.
3. Small Wins Celebration
   • How: At the end of the day, ask your child to share one thing they accomplished, no matter how small (e.g., “I finished my homework on time” or “I was kind to my friend”).
   • Why: Recognizing small successes builds momentum, reinforcing the idea that progress happens one step at a time.
4. “Challenge of the Day”
   • How: Introduce a fun, simple challenge each morning. Examples include: “Try to help someone today” or “Try to ask a question when you don’t know something.”
   • Why: Overcoming small challenges teaches children resilience and encourages problem-solving skills.
5. Body Language Power Pose
   • How: Teach your child to stand in a “power pose” for a few seconds each day—legs apart, hands on hips, standing tall. Do this before school or big events (like tests or presentations).
   • Why: Body language can have a huge impact on confidence. This quick physical exercise helps them feel strong and capable.
6. Kindness Check
   • How: Ask your child, “What kind thing did you do for someone else today?” or “How were you kind to yourself today?”
   • Why: Acts of kindness, whether for others or themselves, build emotional strength and empathy, both of which are essential to self-confidence.
7. “I’m Grateful For…” Journal
   • How: Encourage your child to write down one thing they are grateful for each day, even if it’s just something small.
   • Why: Focusing on gratitude helps shift their mindset away from what’s missing and towards what’s already good in their life, promoting a positive, resilient outlook.
8. Compliment Swap
   • How: Make it a daily habit to share compliments with each other as a family. You can go around the dinner table and say one nice thing about someone.
   • Why: Giving and receiving compliments helps children recognize their own strengths and the strengths of others.
9. Try Something New
   • How: Ask your child to try something new every day, even if it’s small, like trying a new food or solving a different type of puzzle.
   • Why: Trying new things helps them get comfortable with taking risks, learning, and expanding their comfort zone—all crucial for building confidence.
10. “Bounce Back” Reflection
    • How: At the end of the day, reflect with your child on something that didn’t go as planned. Discuss how they handled it and what they learned.
    • Why: This teaches children that setbacks are part of life and provides a chance to learn resilience and perseverance.

How to Use This Checklist:

• Age-Appropriate: Tailor these activities based on your child’s age and personality.
• Consistency is Key: Pick a few of these to try each day, and be consistent over time. Little habits build big confidence!
• Reflection Together: Spend a few minutes talking with your child about how they felt after each activity to deepen the experience.

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Leo the Elf Saves Christmas (The Guardian Elf)

Written by Bradley Doxon

The author targets this approximately 125 page book for readers ages eight through twelve but it can also serve as a read aloud or early beginning chapter book for younger children.

Santa and the elves are getting a nagging feeling that something is wrong. Sure enough, they soon discover that the Sorrow King has escaped and his mission is to destroy the Christmas spirit. Leo, one of the elder elves, decides to take on the nemesis. He teams up with a young, human girl named Ava.

This short book is a combination of fantasy and adventure. Can this dynamic duo banish the Sorrow King and restore the true Christmas spirit?

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The Traveling Book Goes to School: A Little Free Library Book

Written by Charissa Bates

Illustrated by Nadja Bullis

Personally, I love little free libraries and was delighted to find this book!

Twisty is one of the books included in one of these new libraries. The house is unveiled at a local school. Soon the children are choosing books. One of these, named Twisty, gets its pages torn by a careless student. Twisty is afraid of not being chosen.

But soon Twisty is making the rounds of eager readers. Still, the book remains apprehensive of chances to continue his travels. Where will Twisty end up?

This book conveys many valuable messages. Each person is important just as each book contains valuable ideas. It teaches children this message as well as the need to take care of our belongings. The book also shows how teachers carefully transmit knowledge through these shared books.

I hope readers will take advantage of little free libraries in their communities and encourage our children to do the same.

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Theodore: The Sloth Who Wants to Race

Written by J.L. McCreedy and Dr. Sam

Illustrated by J.L. McCreedy

Theodore is a sloth born with two toes instead of three. That is not the most unusual characteristic of the protagonist in this charming, rhyming picture book.

Theodore has a dream. He wants to be the fastest and a racing champion. Unfortunately, speed is not valued by his fellow sloths. No one wants to race. When he finally finds a racing partner, he feels cheated.

All that changes one day, when he finally meets a sloth who shares his need for speed. Theodore learns about the importance of proper physical training to success. This is one of the messages of the book which celebrates the importance of individuality and being true to oneself as well as the necessity of good preparation for success.

I especially enjoyed the author including facts about sloths, the animal kingdom, and a glossary to tackle unfamiliar words.

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This is the first in a series of articles dedicated to helping parents raise happy, confident and successful children.

5 tips to help tweens and teens resist peer pressure.

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A Little Labradoodle Christmas: A Rhyming Picture Book About the Power of Family, Love, and Kindness (The Little Labradoodle 4)

Written by April M. Cox and Kairi Fullerton

Illustrated by Remesh Ram

A cute, Christmas, rhyming picture book for preschoolers and primary grade children with an important message.

Kairi and her pet labradoodles encounter Casper, a grumpy cat on their walk. They decide to spread the spirit of Christmas. They invite the cat to their home to participate in traditions like baking cookies and trimming the tree, but nothing seems to work. Eventually, they find the real reason for the cat’s disdain about Christmas. Will they be able to spread love, empathy and family traditions that will change the tide?

A nice read aloud for the holidays.

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Bobby and His Hobby: Elephant kids book. children book on empathy and kindness in the kindergarten for ages 3-6 

Written by Sholmo Goldman

Illustrated by Tanja Russita

Bobby, the Elephant, has a nasty hobby. He likes to call all his classmates nicknames that are not too flattering.

One day, a huge elephant comes to visit the class. Bobby promptly calls his friend, Reggie, a scaredy-cat. The other students finally realize they can no longer put up with Bobby’s insensitivity. Will Bobby give up his hobby?

The rhyming book is a fun read-aloud with an important message about bullying and empathy. Recommended for readers ages three through six.

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Hop Lola Hop

Written by Kathy Urban

Illustrated by Siski Kalla

Ella doesn’t leave the house without her favorite stuffed, toy, a bunny named Lola. They have shared many adventures. One day, after riding on a bus, Lola gets separated from Ella.

As the story evolves, readers experience the emotions seen from each of their perspectives. Will the best buddies be reunited? Read the beautifully illustrated watercolor picture book for primary grade readers to find out the lessons each learned.

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