Libraries

Javan has the opportunity to go to the Super Bowl and gets to invite a friend. He does just that at school, but begins to worry that his other friends are mad at him that they weren’t invited. He then goes home and expresses to his mother these fears and those about Javan getting lost at the Super Bowl. Javan’s mother explains that he has anxiety and that he needs to take deep breaths and transform his negative thoughts into more positive thoughts. Javan takes this advice and has a great time at the Super Bowl. As with other books in The Adventures of Javan series, the storyline does a good job of describing what’s happening in the mind of someone who experiences anxiety. It would have been equally powerful to see what happens in Javan’s mind once he takes his mother’s advice. The illustrations that accompany the text are colorful but at times make the characters seem oddly scaled compared to each other and their surroundings. Recommended as a resource to talk with elementary-aged children about anxiety.

Seven-year-old Benjamin is many things, including a big brother, super smart, and a drum player. The one thing he’s not so good at is controlling his anxiety. Benjamin describes what happens to him physically when he gets anxious and what goes on in his mind. His mother explains to him that his anxiety makes little troubles seem big. Benjamin begins to worry about a visit with his dentist the next day and can’t think about anything until he comes upon a piece of paper with directions that help him visualize himself as a hero and do some breathing exercises. Benjamin does these things when he gets to the dentist and feels brave, safe, and calm. The book ends with five recommendations as to how the reader could be their own hero. Bright illustrations help the reader understand Benjamin’s emotions as he goes from feeling anxious to feeling brave. Recommended for elementary-aged children.

Javon is an older elementary school student who has been chosen to be a reading buddy for a kindergartner. He’s excited to get to visit his kindergarten teacher again because she helped Javon with his anger issues when he first started school. Javon’s old teacher has chosen a student for him to work with named Richard. Javon approaches Richard who seems to be emotionally shut down. After an unsuccessful first meeting, Javon thinks back to how his kindergarten teacher helped him with the same kind of issues he sees Richard having. Using his past experiences, Javon connects with Richard and they develop a strong relationship. One day, Richard is sent to the principal’s office. Javon visits Richard there and gives Richard a treasured stuffed animal Javon had relied on when he wanted a hug. Richard communicates to Javon how much Javon makes his heart happy. This is a very sweet story of how two children can develop a strong emotional bond, despite initial impressions and outward appearances. This would be an excellent resource for helping teach children the character of kindness. Highly recommended.

Javon is an older elementary school student who has been chosen to be a reading buddy for a kindergartner. He’s excited to get to visit his kindergarten teacher again because she helped Javon with his anger issues when he first started school. Javon’s old teacher has chosen a student for him to work with named Richard. Javon approaches Richard who seems to be emotionally shut down. After an unsuccessful first meeting, Javon thinks back to how his kindergarten teacher helped him with the same kind of issues he see’s Richard having. Using his past experiences, Javon connects with Richard and they develop a strong relationship. One day, Richard is sent to the principal’s office. Javon visits Richard there and gives Richard a treasured stuffed animal Javon had relied on when he wanted a hug. Richard communicates to Javon how much Javon makes his heart happy. This is a very sweet story of how two children can develop a strong emotional bond, despite initial impressions and outward appearances. This would be an excellent resource for helping teach children the character of kindness. Highly recommended.

Kevin feels anxious at school. No matter how hard he tries, his classmates continue to answer questions more quickly than he does and he feels like his learning speed and intelligence are not okay. One day, Kevin’s remedial reading teacher tells him that they’re going to open up a school store and that he’s going to be the manager. Kevin finds great enjoyment and empowerment is managing the store and interacting with customers. The school principal stops by the store one day to buy some supplies and is impressed with Kevin’s ability to make change so quickly. She gives Kevin the “OK” sign with her fingers. After telling this story to his mother, she urges Kevin to use the “OK” sign to calm himself whenever he feels nervous or scared about anything happening at school. Kevin finds that this helps his anxiety, especially when confronting tough subjects, like reading, which get easier. This story of Kevin’s efforts to overcome his anxiety about the speed at which he learns is nicely accompanied by fun, colorful illustrations. Highly recommended for elementary-aged children.

When Shawn Trenell, an active 10-year-old, soon-to-be-middle-schooler boy, starts his day by jumping out of bed and crashing to the floor, his mother tells him to “act your age.” After causing further mishaps on the bus ride to school and in the school library, Shawn hears this phrase again, but wonders what the adults in his life mean when they tell him to “act your age.” In guidance class, the school counselor explains that growing up means learning to be careful, thoughtful, and responsible. At home, Shawn decides to be responsible by cleaning his room and doing his homework. His mother realizes that Shawn has been acting his age all along, vows to be more patient with him, and rewards his efforts with a trip to the park and a promise of ice cream. Colorful and appealing illustrations contribute to the positive messages of self-acceptance, self-awareness, and self-actualization. Recommended as a great read-aloud choice for parents and teachers to share with a variety of school-age children.

Josie’s second grade class is preparing to visit a pumpkin patch. She can’t wait to go, but immediately begins thinking about all the negative things that could go wrong when she gets there, like getting lost in the pumpkin patch. Josie describes how she feels, both physically and mentally, when she is very nervous, uncertain, or overwhelmed and also the things that make her feel that way. She also describes how people help her to feel less stressed and how she can take steps herself to feel better. Part of the “Understanding Special Needs” series, the book’s twelve-year-old illustrator creates charming depictions of Josie and her world. Recommended for elementary-aged children.

Ten-year-old Pearla loves to work in her father’s bakery and can bake perfect cookies and cupcakes. Everyone loves her creations. One morning, as Pearla is baking her perfect cookies and cupcakes, she finds out that she’s forgotten to add an ingredient. Feeling very nervous because her cookies are triangular-shaped and her cupcakes are square-shaped, which are not perfect, Pearla tells herself that she tried her best and decides to sell the imperfect cookies and cupcakes at half-price. As customers visit the bakery, Pearla learns that what’s imperfect to some people is absolutely perfect to others and that it’s OK to make mistakes. Having sold out of all the imperfect cookies and cupcakes, Pearla thinks, “I did my best and feel so thankful for the rest,” which is a sentiment that Pearla repeats throughout the book. Fantastically fun and colorful illustrations complement this wonderful lesson about how things can work out when we make mistakes if we stay calm and try our best. Highly recommended for elementary-aged children.