In partnership with EQ Explorers and The Children’s Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOKS

Wally Whale’s Mighty Tail: Happiness is a Choice!

Written by Kim Linette

Illustrated by James Loram

Publisher’s Synopsis: The secret to happiness? It’s written on a whale’s tail. At least that’s what Koa hears, and so he sets out in search of Wally Whale and the valuable knowledge that he hopes Wally will share.

Wally Whale’s Mighty Tail, one of the first books in the EQ Explorers series, teaches the powerful EQ principle: Happiness is a Choice. It’s a lesson of emotional intelligence that is essential for any child—including Koa, who learns as he journeys through the Pacific with Wally Whale.

Ages 4-12 | Publisher: Kapalua Cove, LLC | August 1, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1950062003

Available Here: https://amzn.to/3deRJ4O

Compare Bear’s Double Dare: Be Yourself – Don’t Compare!

Written by Kim Linette

Illustrated by James Loram

Publisher’s Synopsis: The last thing Danny expects to come across during his hike in the forest is a very insecure bear. And yet, Compare Bear is precisely that—a bear who struggles to see his own strengths, and instead constantly compares himself to other animals, with astonishing results.

In Compare Bear’s Double Dare, one of the first books in the EQ Explorers series, Danny helps his unique new friend take to heart the powerful EQ principle: Be Yourself. Don’t Compare. It’s a lesson of emotional intelligence that is essential for any young reader.

Ages 4-12 | Publisher: Kapalua Cove, LLC | August 1, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1950062010

Available Here: https://amzn.to/2UUXdeS

Jojo Giraffe’s Big Laugh: Don’t Take Things Personally!

Written by Kim Linette

Illustrated by James Loram

Publisher’s Synopsis: Jojo Giraffe’s Big Laugh, the third book in the EQ Explorers series, takes children on a journey through the African Savannah, learning what it means to be wonderfully unique along the way—just like the spots on each and every giraffe.

The story centers around the powerful EQ principle: Don’t Take Things Personally. It’s a lesson of emotional intelligence that is essential for any child—including Kali, who learns through a series of fun adventures with Jojo Giraffe.

Ages 4-12 | Publisher: Kapalua Cove, LLC | April 21, 2020 | ISBN-13: 978-1950062096

Available Here: https://amzn.to/3fufdV2

MY REVIEWS OF THE BOOKS

Wally Whale’s Mighty Tail

Another happy book in the EQ Explorers series. Little Koa searches for Wally because the boy has heard that Wally has the secret to being happy written on his tail. Koa will be the leader of his tribe one day. Koa wants to know how to lead his people to happiness.

But Koa is dismayed when the message on Wally’s tail is smudged. He sees Happiness is a ch…. What are the missing letters? Wally teases Koa and plays a guessing game with him. Koa makes guesses like cheer, chocolate, and chair. Finally, Wally relents and provides the correct answer. He explains to Koa that our emotions are like the waves of the ocean. Sometimes we feel happy and sometimes sad. When you choose happiness, you can find ways to stay happy through tough times.

Discussion questions to illustrate the book’s lessons are included as well as fun facts about whales. Loram does not fail to disappoint with colorful multicultural illustrations.

Recommended for elementary school readers.

Compare Bear’s Double Dare

Danny is never afraid of trying something new. One day, he embarks on a hike through the woods. He meets an unusual bear. Compare Bear is afraid of climbing trees, racing, fishing, or roaring. Every time the bear finds another who is better than he at something, he stops doing it. To make matters worse, parts of his body change into that animal.

Danny urges him to be himself and dares him to compete. Will Compare Bear find the courage to accept himself and stop trying to be perfect?

Fun facts about bears and discussion questions are included in this beautifully illustrated picture book.

Jojo Giraffe’s Big Laugh

This book is part of the EQ Explorers, Little Adventures for a Happy Life. The profits from the sale of these books are donated to underserved children.

Kali is hiding in a tree crying because the other kids make fun of her for being short and spending her time climbing trees. Jojo passes by and encourages her to laugh. He shows her perspective, a new way of looking at things. The giraffe shares his personal experience with other giraffes. He encourages her not to take things personally and to value her own opinions of herself rather than those of others. As they walk and meet other animals like ants, hippos, and zebras, the lesson becomes clear.

Beautiful colors and expressive images foster the imprinting of the story on young minds. This book is a good choice for a read aloud or bedtime story for children in elementary school.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win an EQ Explorers prize pack!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• A copy of Jo Jo Giraffe’s Big Laugh autographed by Kim Linette.
• A copy of Compare Bear’s Double Dare autographed by Kim Linette.
• A copy of Wally Whale’s Mighty Tail autographed by Kim Linette.
• A play fort perfect for reading and imagination play.

Two (2) winners receive:

• A copy of Jo Jo Giraffe’s Big Laugh
• A copy of Compare Bear’s Double Dare
• A copy of Wally Whale’s Mighty Tail

Giveaway begins July 6, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends August 6, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

July 6	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Book Review
July 7	Word Spelunking	http://wordspelunking.blogspot.com/	Book Review
July 8	Over Coffee Conversations	https://www.gmarciano.blogspot.com	Guest post
July 9	Tales of A Wanna-Be SuperHero Mom	http://wannabesuperheromom.blogspot.com/	Book Review
July 10	Fairview Elementary School (Library)	https://fveslibrary.blogspot.com/	Book Review
July 13	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com	Book Review
July 14	icefairy’s Treasure Chest	http://icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/	Book Review
July 15	Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog	https://bamauthor.me	Book Review
July 16	Heart to Heart	https://tynea-lewis.com/	Interview
July 17	A Dream Within A Dream	http://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com/	Book Review
July 20	J.R.’s Book Reviews	https://jrsbookreviews.wordpress.com/	Book Review

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Many children feel pressure to “fit in with the crowd.” How can we encourage youngsters to think independently and take charge?

This series is dedicated to discussing how parents and teachers can develop and facilitate a sense of independence that will foster creativity, encourage self-esteem, develop empathy and create the leaders of tomorrow.

The first post discusses how to create an environment that encourages young people to assume leadership roles.

How to Create a Home Environment That Instills Leadership in Kids

As parents and caregivers, we often want to create an environment at home that will be conducive to instilling leadership. But how? Instilling leadership can take many forms, and of course your individual family dynamic comes into play. But generally speaking, here are some tips on how to create a home environment that fosters leadership in your children.

Have a Routine

You may think that having a routine is creating followers by telling them what to do and when to do it. But actually, having a routine encourages leadership, because it provides security and a model of order and predictability. A good leader is not fickle – he or she possesses self-control and is fairly predictable. So those who are followers are certain of where they’re going.

Routines also teach organization, another important leadership skill. Organizing time is crucial if your kids are going to grow up to inspire others to follow. Include your kids in the development of your schedule and calendar, and show them how time is organized and which tasks and activities are prioritized.

Clear Boundaries

As leaders, your kids will need to be able to define and enforce boundaries. Having clear boundaries in your home helps make expectations clear and lets your kids know how far they can go before they cross over. They will learn how to be fair and firm when boundaries are crossed, especially if you take care to consider the situation before enacting consequences. Not all boundary violations are the same.

To be good leaders, kids need to learn when to be firm (such as when a boundary is blatantly ignored) and when to be lenient (such as when a boundary is crossed accidentally). Including your kids when you develop boundaries and consequences is another way to create a leader-building environment.

Appreciate

When your kids do a job well, let them know. Give them positive feedback so they will learn how to give it themselves when they grow up to be leaders. A good leader knows when to pat followers on the back and appreciate their efforts.

Chores

Yes, having chore lists is something that parents may dread, or they may have heard about it and just don’t think it will “fly” in their family. But chores are one of the first ways that kids learn to be a part of the family “team,” and being part of a team is an important way to learn leadership.

Chores can be delegated depending on age and ability, and you can certainly include your kids in making the chore list. To keep motivation, have rewards for chores that are done well and on time. In fact, chores can be a way to earn privileges – your chore list can have two columns, one for chores and one for the privileges each chore earns.

To Sum Up

There are all sorts of things you can do to build a home environment that fosters leadership. Don’t be afraid to be creative, and remember to include your kids and give them age-appropriate responsibilities.

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