This book review of, Where Did My Good Mood Go is about an educational children’s picture book on emotion written by Ava Parnass and illustrated by Kate Kaminski.  The illustrations are colorful and uplifting.  This helpful as the subject matter is all about a child trying to find a positive mood. 

Ava writes for young children who are struggling with their emotions and their behaviors.  She has created a character in this story called Mushy.   Mushy is a magical book online who helps kids understand their feelings.   The illustration of Mushy is open and friendly.  The idea behind Mushy is to have a trusted friend who helps a child understand their emotions and behaviors and to adjust them accordingly by opening the door to processing why they are feeling the way they do.  Many times children feel alone…as if they are the only ones to ever feel the way that they do.  After reading this book, I think that they will come to see that emotions can come and go without getting stuck in a destructive mode.

I think this works well in this book, Where Did My Good Mood Go.  I believe the book will empower young children (and the adults who care for them) to see that they are the only ones in charge of how they handle challenges, as they come along.  Mushy explains that everyone has bad days now and then.  Mushy also encourages communication between adult and child to help foster supportive words and actions.  I think young families will find this book helpful and enjoyable at the same time.

Ava has been a family psychotherapist for over 15 years.  She believes strongly in helping to develop healthy relationships through communication between parents and children.  Her books and her music are all about building up the healthy foundation of a child.   If you are interested in learning more about Ava and her books & products you should visit her website:  www.ListenToMePlease.com  Make sure to tell her that you learned about her through Book In Review.  I do need to tell you that I received a review copy; but that in no way guaranteed a positive review of her books or products.   I hope you enjoy getting to know more about Ava and her company…and that the children in your life are the recipients of her efforts to bring healthy and happy into their everyday experiences. 

It is a total pleasure to do a book review of this children’s book, Listen To Me Please, because it is a book that you can read with your child and reap the benefits of a deeper personal relationship with your child.  Ava Parnass co-wrote the book with Dr. Ron Taffel.  Kate Kaminski was in charge of the illustrations and the book production process.  The end result is a book filled with colorful graphics, heartwarming visuals and parenting tips that will help the reader to navigate many of the pitfalls that parents and children fall into when challenges arise.

Open ended conversation starters allow valuable communication to help both parent and child to understand each other’s words and actions better, which can only help to improve the relationship on both ends.  Starting out by focusing on the positive aspects of any given situation helps keeps the conversation proactive when it comes to problem solving.

I like the fact that the book gives the child permission to have a voice.  Too often children are told to be quiet, sit down, and keep out of the way by the adults in their life.  It is easy for a child to become overwhelmed when they do not feel valued or heard when they are upset, angry, or anxious about the things affecting them daily.  A child that feels heard and validated emotionally is a child that is more open to instruction and guidance. That alone should help to eliminate many of the negative behaviors that parents often feel powerless to stop or control.

Listen To Me Please would be great as a baby shower gift, a birthday gift, or just as a way to encourage parents and children to grow and learn together.  You can learn more about Listen To Me Please and the authors and discover where to purchase the book by going to their website here: www.ListenToMePlease.com .

In explaining these issues, in this way, she takes some of the fear of such procedures out of them; making it easy for an adult reading this story to their child to explain what may happen to them (if they are a pediatric cancer patient).  There isn’t an emotional script in the book about how a child should feel…this leaves the job of exploring the child’s emotional reactions to any given treatment or procedure open to discussion between the reader and the patient.  That is as it should be because it is hard to write the reality of treatments in a meaningful way without trivializing it or overwhelming a child with a pre-conceived idea of how it will feel.

Jenevieve Fisher herself was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 22.  She believes in helping to educate children honestly and has worked in radiology as an oncology therapist.  Her background of working in the medical field, as well as her own personal cancer diagnosis and treatment, has helped her to write and market a series of books designed to support and educate children who are going through a health crisis.  It is designed to empower a child to understand what is happening and how their treatment will impact them.

Fear is a powerful emotion and having some knowledge about what is happening inside their own bodies and in their surroundings during treatment can go a long way to help encourage a child who might otherwise feel completely powerless in their situation.

I’m a Kid Living With Cancer is beautifully illustrated throughout the book, as well as on the book cover.  The artist who illustrated the book is Casey Huie.  The pictures are bright, colorful and communicate hope and joy.  Casey was born with a dislocated hip and because of that she endured many hospital stays and surgeries.   She too understands how children with cancer feel when they are in and out of the hospital and doctors offices.  Together with Jenevieve the author, they have created this book to help children and their families have some kind of idea of what to expect.

You can find out more about this book and others in the series by clicking here.   This is an independent publishing company but the quality of this book is outstanding.  It is a book you will be proud to own and share with others.

Another thing I absolutely love about this book, is that the writer and illustrator dedicate a portion of the sale of each book to pediatric cancer research.  I like the statements that they make on their site about what they do and why they do it.  Not only that; but, they also work with a great non profit organization, by the name of Friends Like Us, that I have been volunteering for by sewing bags for the chemo bears that they give to children with cancer.  These are great people with heart for children with cancer and their families.  Please support their efforts by purchasing I’m A Kid Living With Cancer and by visiting both sites.  Who knows…you just might feel moved to donate time, awareness or money for their good works.

Ms. Barton was a highly effective individual when it came to influencing people in positions of power…the very rich as well as those higher up in the government.  Equally influential with the poor and those who were injured or displaced because of war or natural disasters, Ms. Barton knew how to prepare and dispense supplies that helped people to survive and overcome whatever hardships that they were facing.  It was the very establishment of America’s first endeavor of organized humanitarian aid.

In a time when women were regulated to very defined roles in society either in the home or in very limited careers such as teachers; Clara Barton opened doors to women fulfilling their purpose in societies in ways that were previously closed to them.

Clara was either revered and respected or resented and resisted by most everyone she came into contact with.  Those who supported her efforts stood by her side and tried to aid the areas of impact that she felt called to contribute to.  Those who resented or resisted her goals often times were successful temporarily at standing in her way.  Clara suffered physically because of her dedication to her calling.  She had to restore her health for lengthy periods of time so that she could again, gain the strength to put her heart and soul into establishing guidelines for providing ethical and medical standards regarding those who fought in wars.

Compassion combined with a diligent effort to organizing and streamlining aid to those in need was what was needed.  She also helped to find and organize information regarding the loss of lives due to war; which was a great comfort to those family members who lost loved ones in war and had no idea of their burial places.

Clara Barton is a woman who has earned her place in history and is one whom both men and women can admire and pattern their own behavior after.   She was called the “Angel of the Battlefied” because of those who had gratitude in their hearts for her nursing skills.

This book was written by Susan E. Hamen and was published by ABDO Publishing Company in 2010.  It was printed on recycled paper and was nicely put together with wonderful pictures that go a long way towards keeping the interest of the reader.    If you are interested in the book or in more information about Clara Barton you can visit their website here:  http://www.abdopublishing.com

      The book starts off talking about the fact that Michigan has two different peninsulas; often people only think of the upper portion of the state as a peninsula.  The state of Michigan is surrounded by water, thus it is a state that is divided into two portions and both halfs are considered to be peninsulas.   There is information on how Detroit got it’s nickname of Motown.

       Michigan is rich in history and this book doesn’t cheat you from discovering some of that richness.  There is information on explorers, Native American tribes, the Underground Railroad, sand dunes, rivers, lakes, mountains and wildlife. 

         An important thing to know about Michigan is what it contributes to the rest of the country by way of manufactering, farming, forestry and tourism.  The book discusses those things and also gives you ideas of things to do for fun and learning in Michigan.  For instance, did you know that Michigan has the most lighthouses of any state in America?  There are over 120 of them according to this book.  I find that information to be fascinating. 

          Many famous people were born or raised in Michigan including presidents of the United States Of America, athletes, writers, and inventors.  There is much to learn between the covers of this book and you will enjoy the pictures as well.   I highly recommend this book for children from ages 5-13 and adults as well.

       For instance, I like the fact that they cover what kinds of things can be done in the kitchen.  Children are smart and they get to thinking about those ideas (they are contagious you know); once the ball gets rolling…they come up with some pretty smart ideas of their own.  Here the book talks about making better choices when shopping for groceries or even the items that we use to serve our meals and snack.   Household chores are discussed and really teach about making the most of conserving water while doing dishes.  Opening up a dialog with children about using real dishes instead of toss away, like paper or styrofoam, products shows children that even simple choices can impact the world and save money.

        Reusing or recycling products is a great way to go green and this book has wonderful pictures and suggestions for doing just that.  This book is wonderful also for the fact that it encourages the whole family to make a commitment to saving the planet by telling the children to “help” their parents.  Sometimes it takes the faith of a child to move a mountain. 

        Taking care of the earth is important if we expect to have a place for our children and grandchildren to live safely with all that they need.  Gardening is making a resurrgence and learning how to do it properly is not hard to do if someone takes the time to teach you.  Conserving water and protecting it is crucial to the health of human beings. 

         The pictures or photos in this book are colorful and are relatable for both children and their family to grasp the concept of nurturing the world that we live in.  Many of the ideas are familiar but some of them aren’t.  In fact, you older readers may be surprised by the wisdom of those elders before us who did precisely some of these things; perhaps without knowing exactly how wise they were.

          I would recommend this book for children from ages 5-12 (and their parents of course). 

       The text of the book explains in real language that doesn’t talk down to a child.  The book was written by Pam Rosenberg and she does a wonderful job of answering the question of how the end product, ice cream, goes from raw product, to the wonderful delight on the desert wish list of most children. 

       Through both mouth watering pictures and words designed to lead from one thought concept to another about what has to happen to turn milk into ice cream…the reader is left with an understanding of how that happens. 

        I like that Pam Rosenberg inspires the reader to ask questions of those people in the everyday life of the reader who may play a part in a manufacturing process.   Those people may include a farmers who produce raw products, to a trucker who delivers raw or finished products, to a factory worker who works on an assembly line or, maybe even a grocery worker who stocks the product, or a cashier who sells the ice cream.

       I like the fact that this book also has a list of glossary terms to help young readers understand words that may not be in their vocabulary as well as a page of websites and other resources on the subject.  There are 24 pages and the reading level is for children grades 2-4. 

        Those examples in manufacturing open the eyes of a child to the world around them…not only for ice cream products; but , also to open their eyes to other manufactured products, and jobs or potential careers that may be in their future.

          This children’s picture book was published by: http://www.cherrylakepublishing.com  in Ann Arbor, Michigan; copyrighted in 2010. 

       There are some behaviors that the young man, Dylan, does that confuse Mackenzie Mackabee.  He sits and swings alone for long periods of time.  He covers his eyes and his ears for no apparent reason.  He doesn’t seem to smile or talk back when any other students talk to him.  One day, the kids are playing soccer when out of the blue, the young man runs and takes the ball and continues running.  The kids are upset thinking that he is trying to stop their game.

       Mackenzie consults her teacher about her questions regarding young Dylan’s behavior.  The teacher is thrilled to have an opportunity to explain that Dylan has Autism and how that affects him.  She explains that she is sure that Dylan isn’t trying to stop their game or trying to be a bully. 

       You will have to read the wonderful story to see how the situation is resolved and how a little understanding can go a long way to helping others to include someone who is a bit different from themselves.  This is a wonderfully written book and the colorful pictures on the pages help to show how students can learn about one another and appreciate their differences.   The emotions of the characters are reflected in the artwork so that the reader can empathize with the characters in the story. 

        I think this is a wonderful story book for any classroom setting; but, especially any classroom that may include special needs students who may be struggling to feel acceptance from their peers.   The author of the story is Julie Coe and the illustrator is Sondra Brassel; the story was inspired by the children of Jennifer Maloni.  I like the fact that these women intend for this book to make a difference in how children see another child who is a bit different from themselves and appreciate and include them in their social lives!   There are even some great activities to promote positive interaction between children who are living with Autism or any other challenge that sets them apart from their peers and others who are in their daily lives.   After all, everyone deserves the opportunity to be accepted for who they are and to feel like they fit or belong with others in the peer group.  Pick up this book and let it be an inspiration to teachers, students and families everywhere!

        The book can be purchased at:  http://www.amazon.com

      The book has great pictures and maps showing the way that the pioneers had to travel on their way out west to grab their own piece of land to start a new life.  The book explains about all of  the dangers that the travelors faced on their trip and talked about what the settlers would need to make the journey.  It is interesting to note that there were certain times of the year that the pioneers could travel because of the changing seasons and weather conditions.  Traveling by covered wagon was not as fast or as safe as traveling today. 

        Some interesting facts are that there was a mountain trail that was so narrow that they called it the Devil’s Backbone because both people and the wagons with the animals had to walk single file along it’s ridges.  Did you know that there are still to this day wagon tracks that can be seen on parts of the Oregon Trail?  This book is educational and fun to look at and imagine what it would be like to travel across the country in the same way that the pioneers did.

        Oregon Trail was written by Sarah Tieck and was copyrighted in 2008 by ABDO Publishing Company.  You can visit their website here:  http://www.abdopublishing.com

            Inside the covers of the book are charts to help motivate the young ones to reach their financial goals.  There are ideas for raising money or jobs that are age appropriate.  Guidelines are given for a kid to help compute their free hours that they have to work into their schedules to help them decide if they have time for a job.   This encourages them to consider their schedules and to make earning money a priority in their life.  There is information that expresses the importance of planning what kind of equipment or cost is needed to perform a job.  There is a section on budgeting your money so that you don’t spend all of your income on supplies to complete a job.   Information that applies to making enough money to cover all expenses and still make money is addressed in the book. 

         There is a chapter on the legalities of working…what is required if you want to work and you are under age.  Some jobs require you to be a legal adult to do a job…this book talks about that as well.  It teaches critical thinking when discussing getting a job and making money. 

           The book was written by Tamra Orr and was copyrighted in 2009.  It was published by Mitchell Lane Publishers and their website is:  http://www.mitchelllane.com .  If found this book informative, attractive and I think it teaches children to really look at making money from several different angles.    I would recommend this book for children from ages 8-13.