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The Kids' Bookstore
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The children's books on this page are about love, growing up and self esteem. The other themed pages are all listed at the side or you can return to the main category listing here. The red links are for the USA store and the blue for the UK - both ship internationally. |
Pink! by Lynne Rickards. An endearing story of a small penguin who wakes up pink one morning. He deals with the challenges of being different, taunting, seeks medical help, finds others who he perceives to be like him and ultimately accepts himself as he is. A nice reminder for us all, for who isn't different in some way? Margaret Chamberlain's humoresque illustrations add to the charm of the book.
'Mind Time Cards' by Sharon Hackleman, who developed the idea for these cards while counseling at risk teens in emergency shelters and group homes. Beautiful self esteem cards for teens building self worth and also educating about the power of positive thinking. We adults love the cards too - a very good reminder of where to keep our focus :) Available from the author's site or from Amazon below.
We found an excellent pairing with the above cards was the Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn. It offers lots of very practical advice about how to find your own way in the world, develop your own style, think for yourself, end up with a career you love as opposed to one you've been railroaded into by other people etc. (oh it also has a chapter on persuading your parents to take you out of school so do be careful what you wish for ;) )
'I Am a Lovable Me - Affirmations for Children' by Sharon Penchina and Dr. Stuart Hoffman. A delightful, very colourful book for children which builds self esteem through affirmation. Though the book would at first glance with it's bright, simple characters, seem to be aimed at quite small children, my two aged 10 and 12 years (at the time of writing) loved the affirmations too. Getting along with others, eating healthy food, drinking water and being confident are just a few of the issues dealt with - a lovely book which leaves you feeling happy.
'I Take a Deep Breath!' in the same series as 'Lovable Me' above. This book really makes you aware of your breath (as an adult I was breathing better by the end!). It starts with some facts about deep breathing and how it benefits you and continues with cheery affirmations. One I drew my children's attention to was "When it's time to clean my room, I take a deep breath in and breathe out slowly. Then I take care of my things - what a good feeling it brings"!!
'Don't Feed the Animals' by Tima Vlasto. Bright and beautiful illustrations guide you through this positive, different and quite unique book for children. A young girl takes a trip through a metaphorical zoo gathering animals symbolic of her negative thoughts. She chooses to transform her state of mind and be free of the clinging creatures. Very simple so suitable from very young upwards, though Daniel (13) and Charlotte (11) really enjoyed it too - Charlotte says she's going to have fun telling us 'not to feed the animals' whenever we say anything negative!
Available from the author's site Vlasto Publishing
Two charming, gentle storybooks for young children. In 'Callie the Caterpillar's Greatest Adventure' we see Callie learn about releasing in order to grow and change. He ends up happier than ever and can still use his unique gifts. The shy, easily embarrassed tree in 'Seymour's Winter Leaves' learns to accept and love himself for what he is. Though aimed at children younger than ours we did give them the books to read. 'Quite wonderful' was Daniel's verdict of Seymour and Charlotte liked and understood the lessons from Callie too. We all need reminding of these lessons at times.
Available from authors Linda and Richie Pollock AKA Love and Magic Also available on the site are some positive music CDs for children - you can listen to excerpts here and here.
'The Angel of Nitshill Road' by Anne Fine. A really charming novel for children dealing with the issue of bullying. The bullies get away with their reign of fear in the playground of Nitshill Road School until a very unusual little girl turns up. The book contains some good messages including how the unwritten 'not telling on people' rule is misused by bullies. Reading age of seven and upwards.
'The Pop-Up Potty Book' by Marianne Bogardt and Maxie Chambliss. We loved this book when our children were at the learning about potties stage - the humour is appreciated by all ages and it really does seem to make little ones think!
'Billywise' by Judith Nicholls and Jason Cockcroft - an incredibly beautiful book in both text and illustration. It tells the tale of a baby owl from hatching to daring to learn to fly with the gentle encouragement of his mother - quite breathtaking pictures. Reading age 4-8 but suitable for reading aloud from much younger.
'No Matter What' by Debi Gliori. A charming story about unconditional love with dreamy illustrations. Small fox asks Large fox - 'Does love wear out, does it break or bend?', 'If I was a grizzly bear, would you still love me would you still care?' - suitable from very young (about two) and upwards.
'Dinosaurs Divorce - a Guide for Changing Families' by Marc and Laurene Krasny Brown . A very practical book to help children deal with the emotional and day to day issues of their parents divorce such as holidays, step parents and telling your friends. The book maintains an upbeat outlook with the cartoon dinosaurs.
When Dinosaurs Die - a Guide to Understanding Death' by Marc and Laurene Krasny Brown. A sensitively written book to help children understand death and cope with bereavement.
The latest Mog book by Judith Kerr 'Goodbye Mog' brings a tear to all of us who have loved Mog through our own childhood and shared her with our own kids. The death of a loved animal is dealt with very matter of factly but also lovingly here with the spirit of Mog staying around to help a new kitten settle in.
And the first book - 'Mog the Forgetful Cat' sees Mog being misunderstood by her family until she helps catch a burglar! (See more Mog books on the Winter titles section)
'Love You Forever' - a beautiful book about love and growing up - a bit tear jerking at the end (for adults anyway!) - very well illustrated. Suitable from about two years and up.
'The Snowchild' - a book about a little girl who is always left out of the other children's games until she builds the 'snowchild'. A very good story for anyone who has ever been left out or, indeed, anyone who leaves others out as it highlights how this makes one feel.
'We Like to Nurse' - a lovely book about breast feeding with bright, bold pictures, making it very suitable for small children who are perhaps still nursing themselves. It shows many different animals and humans nursing.
'Double Act' by Jacqueline Wilson. Ruby and Garnet are identical twins whose mother died three years ago. Their Dad has a new partner and they have just moved to a house with bookshop attached. This book deals well with various issues and has many amusing events due to the very different personalities of the twins. Charlotte (our daughter aged 8 at the time) read it in a few days and loved it.
'Grace and Family' by Mary Hoffman and Caroline Binch. Grace reads of families that have a dad, a mum, two kids, a cat and a dog and thinks that must be the perfect family. Grace's family consists of herself, her mother and grandmother. In this story Grace visits her father in Africa - a great book for discussing different family groups and situations with children.
Buy UK or Buy US (the book is called Boundless Grace in the USA - it is the same story)
I Like Me, I Like You' by Laurence Anholt and Adriano Gon. A celebration of everyone's uniqueness. This book helps children feel good about themselves and look upon differences as a positive thing - multi-ethnic illustrations.
'I am a Star! - my building high self esteem book' by Suzanne E. Harrill. Wonderful, simple and powerful affirmations for children with humorous pictures of stars throughout .
'I believe in Me - a book of affirmations' by Connie Bowen. A beautifully illustrated book for boosting children's self esteem. Twenty-seven different affirmations with pictures of angels, light beings and animals.
'Just Because I Am - a child's book of affirmation' by Lauren Murphy Payne. A more down to earth book of affirmations with very human, multi-ethnic illustrations.
'Small Acts of Kindness' by James Vollbracht. The story of a hug from a child and how it creates a ripple effect - with many acts of kindness leading on to others.
'It Could Have been Worse' by Tim Warnes and A.H. Benjamin. While on his way home a little mouse has many small accidents which he moans about feeling very sorry for himself. Each time his misfortunes save him from a much worse fate - children love to spot what could actually have happened and find this book very funny.
'Hug' by Jez Alborough. This little monkey wants a hug like all the other animals. Lovely, heartfelt illustrations really make you want a hug too.
'Once There Were Giants' by Martin Waddell and Penny Dale. The story of a baby girl growing up and becoming a mother herself - lovely illustrations and rather tear jerking for adults!
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