Tag Archives: Self-Management

Elem. – The Wishing Machine

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Hillman, Jonathan. The Wishing Machine. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. 978-1-665-92230-2. 36 p. $18.99. Grades K-3. 

After breakfast every Sunday, Sam and his Mom walk to the laundromat. Here, they not only clean and dry their clothes, but they also visit with friends and spend time together – just the two of them. But, this Sunday is different because tomorrow, they’re moving out of the city and into Grandpa’s far away trailer. Sam is sad to say goodbye, but Mom tries to cheer him up with the promise that he can buy a bag of cookies if they have any leftover change. Sam listens to Mom dropping coins into the washing machine slot, and the noise reminds him of coins falling into a wishing well. Sam makes a wish: to be able to stay in their apartment. He then surveys everyone in the laundromat, asking their wishes. Answers range from a new scooter to a green card to a fat, fluffy cat. When Sam drops the leftover coins into the vending machine, he’s surprised when more than a bag of cookies tumbles out. A cascade of coins spills from the machine, making him think the machine heard his earlier wish! Sam and Mom return the coins to the laundromat owner but share the cookies with their friends. As they leave the laundromat for the final time, Sam realizes he and his Mom will be happy wherever they are because they’ll be together. The colored pencil and digital illustrations, with hand-lettered text, feature a soft pastel palette that reflects the snowy weather outside the laundromat. Cozy jackets, hats, and scarves are a nod to the warmth depicted between mother and son. 

THOUGHTS: Although this title depicts the big emotions that come with a life-changing event such as moving away from a familiar community, it does so with sensitivity, and the overall tone remains optimistic. It will serve as a good conversation starter for students who may be struggling with big life changes too, and the message about being together and happy wherever you are will resonate widely. 

Picture Book

Elem. – The Noise Inside Boys: A Story About Big Feelings

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Oswald, Pete. The Noise Inside Boys: A Story About Big Feelings. Random House Studio, 2023. 978-0-593-48322-0. 32 p. $18.99. Grades K-3. 

A day at the beach starts off well for a father and his three sons. The boys run, splash, and play in the sand. The two older boys begin a game of soccer while the younger brother constructs an intricate sandcastle. When a stray kick sends the soccer ball sailing into the sandcastle, the younger brother isn’t immediately sure how to feel. Many different emotions swirl inside of him, and he takes off running down the beach. Later that evening, Dad encourages him to take some deep breaths and try naming his inside feelings. Together, they cover a wide range of emotions, and Dad assures his son that the feelings are his, and each one is okay. He tells the boy to listen to his emotions so he is able to name them and better-explain how he is feeling. The illustrations were created using watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and digital tools, and the muted, often monochrome palette, lets each emotion take center stage. The book’s last page is titled “Know How You Feel” and features children depicting twenty different emotions including happy, sad, annoyed, hurt, grateful, determined, and calm.

THOUGHTS: Share this title with guidance counselors. It will also be useful to pique discussions about students’ varied feelings during Morning Meetings or Closing Circles.

Picture Book

Elem./MG – The Hurricane Girls

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Willis Holt, Kimberly. The Hurricane Girls. Christa Ottaviano Books, 2023.    978-0-316-32609-4, 288 p. $16.99. Grades 3-7.

The Hurricane Girls is a story about 3 girls, Greer, Joya Mia, and Kiki. All three girls were born the same year that Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. They were the best of friends in 6th grade, but their friendship has had some bumps in the road. Kiki sees a flyer for a Junior Team Relay Triathlon. She starts planning for Greer and Joya Mia to join her in the relay. This story shows each of them overcoming a life challenge to themselves but also working together to work as a team to accomplish something that they didn’t think was possible.

THOUGHTS: This book would be a great addition to any elementary/middle school library. It sends a powerful message about friendship and overcoming obstacles in everyday life. I will be ordering this book for my library in the future.

Realistic Fiction

Elem. – Everything in Its Place

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David-Sax, Pauline. Everything in Its Place. Illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow. Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2022. 978-0-593-37882-3. 32 p. $17.99. Grades K-3. 

Nicky is a shy student who is struggling to find a group of friends with whom she feels comfortable. While her classmates run and play at recess, she spends time in the library helping Ms. Gillam shelve books. She feels at home in the library because everything has its place, and Nicky is comforted by the predictability and routine the space offers. When Ms. Gillam shares the news that she will be attending a week-long library conference, Nicky’s heart sinks at the idea of spending the entire next week outside on the playground. She’s still upset when she visits her mother’s cafe after school, but seeing the familiar patrons enjoying their food comforts her a little. She’s especially glad to see Maggie, a short-haired woman who loves poetry and riding her motorcycle. When Nicky asks Maggie if riding her bike is scary, Maggie replies that everything in life is a risk, and Nicky notices how happy and free Maggie looks as she rides away. The next week, emboldened by Maggie’s words, Nicky files out to the playground with her classmates. She pulls a book from her bag to read, and she is surprised when another girl joins her, confiding that she loves reading poetry too. Mixed-media illustrations featuring collage shapes cut from library cards and purple crayon drawings bring this story to life and underscore the idea that the library is a safe space for Nicky. 

THOUGHTS: Finding your “tribe” can be difficult, and this story is an important one to share with students who are struggling to fit in with their peers or find a niche group of friends. It’s also one to share with students who may feel shy, bashful, or who may lack self-confidence. The idea of taking risks and chances, no matter how scary they may seem, may jump-start conversations during Morning Meetings, 

Picture Book          Anne Bozievich, Southern York County SD

Elem. – A Blue Kind of Day

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Tomlinson, Rachel. A Blue Kind of Day. Penguin Random House, 2022. 978-0-593-32401-1. Unpaged. $17.99. Grades PK-2.

Childhood mental health is the focus of this sympathetic story. Coen wakes up feeling blue; he doesn’t want to get out of bed. He can’t be enticed by dad or mom to get up, he has no interest in going out to play, laughing or cuddling with his teddy bear. But his loving family does not get frustrated or give up on Coen. Instead, they support him and wait with him until he is ready to accept their warmth and care and slowly begin to crawl out of the dark cave of blueness. Tomlinson, a registered psychologist, deftly describes the physical feeling of depression in terms a child will recognize: heavy, prickly, angry, while Tori-Jay Mordey’s soft, digital illustrations add emphasis to the story. Coen is shown restlessly trying to deal with his emotions, while his anxious family hovers nearby, attempting to determine the best course of action, which ends up being snuggles and patience. Tomlinson includes an author’s note with additional information on childhood depression. While the book is an important tool dealing with an under-represented topic, many children will recognize the experience of simply  feeling out of sorts, and be reassured that they are not unique. Coen and his family are represented as multiracial. 

THOUGHTS: This book hits a perfect note in approaching the topic of childhood depression and will serve as an excellent conversation starter with young children. 

Picture Book          Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD

Social and Emotional Learning (Series NF)

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Krekelberg, Alyssa. Social and Emotional Learning. The Child’s World, 2021. $228.00 (set of 12), $18.95 (individual titles). Grades K-3.

Doing the Right Thing: Making Responsible Decisions. 978-1-503-84450-6.
Finding Solutions: Problem Solving. 978-1-503-84451-3.
Helping Friends and Family: Taking Care of Others. 978-1-503-84449-0.
Know Your Feelings: Recognizing Emotions. 978-1-503-84452-0.
Let’s Get Along: Resolving Conflict. 978-1-503-84458-2.
No One is the Same: Appreciating Differences. 978-1-503-84456-8.
Setting Boundaries: Learning about Healthy Relationships. 978-1-503-84457-5.
Stop and Think: Learning about Self-Discipline. 978-1-503-84448-3.
We Need Each Other: Being a Good Friend. 978-1-503-84447-6.
We Work Together: Learning about Teamwork. 978-1-503-84455-1.
When Things Get Tough: Overcoming Obstacles. 978-1-503-84454-4.
Worrying Too Much: Learning How to Manage Stress. 978-1-503-84453-7.

Social situations can be difficult for children; they do not have the social experiences that allow them to develop understanding of interpersonal communication and relationships. This SEL series helps children develop understanding of situations they may have encountered or will in the future. Each text is divided into chapters that begin with a vignette that explores a realistic situation and the emotions that are involved in it. Throughout the chapter, ideas on how to respond and questions for reflection are presented. The questions help children reflect on their own experiences and consider the feelings of others in the same situation.  Each text includes a glossary (words are highlighted throughout the text) and a section to learn more about the topic.

THOUGHTS: This is an excellent series for young children to explore their feelings through very realistic situations. The series includes 12 titles. This reviewer had the opportunity to two review Let’s Get Along: Resolving Conflict and No One is the Same: Appreciating Differences. Each individual chapter can be used for character education and development and could easily be divided into short 15-20 minute lessons. This series is highly recommended for all elementary schools for use in the classroom and library especially in our current environment where students are lacking SEL and interpersonal skills due to more isolation from the pandemic.

Erin Bechdel, Beaver Area SD