Focus Is My Superpower: An Inspiring Story to Help Kids Pay Attention, Avoid Distractions, and Improve Concentration for Ages 4–8 (My Superpower Books Book 15)

Written and illustrated by Alicia Ortego

This book is a wonderful resource for elementary-age children who have difficulty focusing.

The protagonist is a young boy who has difficulty staying focused and completing tasks. His grandfather brings the boy to the garage and shows him a magnifying glass. Grandpa explains how the glass focuses the rays of the sun to one point on the glass. His grandson should practice this method.

Grandpa also teaches him the five-finger step method for remaining on task. In the book, the author lays out this pathway and provides examples of how the boy achieved successful completion. In addition, Ortega provides a letter of encouragement and an interactive task for readers to follow the example.

A sequence of clever rhymes and charming illustrations draws readers, making this book an excellent choice for children and adults.

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Preston’s Positive Thoughts: I Am a Problem Solver Series

Written by Jenelle French

Illustrated by Karina Yasinova

Poor Preston is having an awful day. He is not particularly good at soccer, he gets anxious in math class, and he cannot seem to get the knack of using his brother’s hoverboard. That night Preston reflects about the terrible day and wonders what it would be like if he decided to change his mindset to think he would succeed. Maybe his thoughts would influence his actions and the results?

The next day, he tries out this new outlook. Preston convinced himself he would do well on a test, try his best in art class, and apply himself to learning how to play computer games. Could bad days become best days by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones?

This book is beautifully illustrated with well-executed multicultural illustrations and easy to read text. Parents and teachers of shy, introverted children or those who have trouble thinking before they act will find it a useful tool. Recommended for children in grades one through five.

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Mindfulness for Children: The Natural Way to Cure ADHD, Improve Focus and Schoolwork, and Have a Happy and Healthy Child

Written by Tony Robson

This title is a mouthful; it seems like a magic formula. The author promises to explain the technique without a lot of extra boring information, and the book is less than thirty pages. He focuses on strategies that can be especially helpful for parents of children and teens who struggle with ADHD.

Robson begins with the definition of mindfulness which is meditation based on accepting and focusing on emotions and thoughts that are occurring in a person’s present moment in time. He lists the benefits of practicing mindfulness: better sleep and health, less stress, improved schoolwork, and keeping emotions in check. Next, he briefly explains how to determine when and where to meditate, how to influence your child and how to do the meditation. Robson suggests making it active, perhaps a superhero walk for a young child or a pretend driving lesson for teens. The parent must keep the child away from distractions, and search for what things worry the child. It is important to learn how to choose battles and when to respond. This will allow a child to better control emotional outbursts. Finally, teach children to be grateful so they remember the good things rather than the bad.

While these suggestions are helpful, parents need to understand that they must be able to meditate and stay in control if this technique is to be successful with their child. Robson refers them to another of his works for more detailed information. Anyone who is serious about learning and using this technique should know that this book is probably not sufficient for mastery of the technique. Certainly recommended to parents and teachers of ADHD children who are interested in finding non medical alternatives for their children

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