This rhyming picture book is well-written with catchy rhymes and reinforcement learning activities.
It is an ideal read-aloud for a parent or a classroom teacher to introduce children to a group school experience.
The protagonist is a young boy who rides on a magical school bus. He uses this experience to practice positive social-emotional skills. At the end of the tale, these are listed as affirmations for the reader to say and practice. The author also includes a coloring page of a school bus and a matching activity.
Put this one on your list for back-to-school time or as a review in teaching social-emotional skills for children ages three through six.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO RECEIVE NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Daily Confidence Boosters Checklist Goal: Help your child build confidence through daily, simple actions that promote self-awareness, self-expression, and resilience.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO“Join a Community That Builds Strong, Happy Families.”
Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew: The Case of the Two Emily Soos
Written by Dr. Drew Palacio
Illustrated by Apolline Etienne
A common dilemma. Emily is going to a party and doesn’t know what to wear. Looking at herself in the mirror, nothing looks right. Suddenly, the mirror begins talking to her? Can Emily find the courage to stand up for her convictions and show the world the real Emily?
I really enjoyed the crisp rhymes that employ lively language of sounds and alliterative phrases that roll off the tongue and make this book a delightful read aloud. Illustrations portray the emotions beautifully. Young readers get the message to stand up and use affirmations to transmit their true feelings to others.
I highly recommend parents, teachers, and counselors place this book on their must read bookshelves.
Good Evening, Good Evening: Mindfulness and Affirmations for Babies and Kids.
Written by Kaarjal Agnani
Illustrated by Ekta Makhijani
This is a sweet rhyming picture book for toddlers and preschoolers. It contains short affirmations connected to evening that will calm them down and prepare them for bed, while reminding them of the many beautiful images associated with winding down at the end of the day.
Recommended for children ages two through five to be read aloud as a bedtime lullaby.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Publisher: Brandylane Publishers, Inc. | ISBN-13: 9781958754368
Publisher’s Book Summary: With a sigh, she went pacing before a large mirror that stood,
Remarking: “Ugh! I’m hideous! None of this looks very good!”
After struggling to find the perfect outfit, Emily Soo dances the night away at a fun party. But when she gets home, her inner voice Emily Two tries to put a damper on her evening.
Confronting our thoughts, fully facing tough emotions, and affirming ourselves can be difficult.
Can Emily Soo find it within herself to squash her Worry and Woe?
Drew Palacio grew up in Mendocino County, California. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco and currently practices in Kansas. Clinically, he implores partnership and efforts from local families, schools, and the community. Lastly, Dr. Drew is himself a child a heart, using his love of magic and worldly mystery, whether via comic books, animation, video games, or through the passing daydream, to always stoke his inspiration.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
What a wonderful resource for children in upper elementary grades, middle schools and even young adults! Palacio reminds us not to listen to that nagging inner voice that tries to pull us into negativity. In this beautifully written rhyming story, Emily Soo has spent much time choosing her outfit and then enjoying a night out dancing. But when she returns home, that nagging voice in her head tries to tear her positive image down. Children need to learn we are all unique and special. Rather than paying attention to negative self talk, we need to develop affirmations to remind ourselves to stay positive. Palacio provides the tools to put us on the right path to form a healthy life-long habit of self-esteem and healthy lifestyle.
As an educator, I highly recommend classroom teachers and school counselors add this book to their library.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for the chance to win a personalized hardcover copy of Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew: The Curious Case of the Two Emily Soos and Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound: The Quiet Wants of Julien J.
Twelve (12) winners receive:
-A personalized, signed copy of Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew: The Curious Case of the Two Emily Soos
–A personalized, signed copy of Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound: The Quiet Wants of Julien J.
I Am an Amazing Asian Girl: A Book of Positive Affirmations
Written by Yobe Qiu
Illustrated by Jade Le
This book features an Asian-American girl as the narrator, but the story is strongly multicultural. Qui discusses adjectives that describe qualities of the character like being adaptable, appreciative, and assertive. She is also independent in her opinions, while also being very community oriented. She interacts with children of different cultures while pursuing her own interests and projects.
There are not too many books available with female Asian protagonists and this book is a good choice for primary grade children to encourage self-confidence and reinforce self-esteem.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
This short book of affirmations provides inspiration and self-confidence for elementary school and early middle grade readers. Who is to say what I can or cannot be, the answer is only me?
The affirmations cover topics like career aspirations, academic success, athletic prowess, and the Golden Rule. A dozen affirmations interspersed with multicultural illustrations encourage children to “be all they can be.”
A wonderful resource for a child’s home bookshelf, classroom library, or neighborhood library to build empathy, self-esteem, and social-emotional skills. Recommended especially for children ages six through ten.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY SUNDAY AND WEDNESDAY.
September 7, 2025
bamauthor
Comments Off on PUT YOUR BEST SELF FORWARD
Barbara Ann Mojica's BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.