Notice: The information contained and resources recommended on this website are for general information and educational purposes only and in their entirety do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.  The resources listed here have been found helpful, in parts or in their entirety, by some individuals at times.  They are recommended to be used with discretion and are not a substitute for professional, medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis.  We do not necessarily endorse links listed on some of these recommended websites.

Resources For Children

Books

But I Need Your Help Now! by Bryan Smith
Isaac is a second grader who struggles with waiting to be recognized by an adult. He’s a little impatient, and this can get him in trouble at school and in the world. When a tough problem has him stuck, Isaac blurts out. With patience, Isaac’s mom guides him through the steps of getting somebody’s attention, and she helps him with the problem. Isaac understands, but needs some practice! Isaac’s adventures continue at the store, at home, and at school, where the adults are there to teach him even more skills like how to interrupt the right way!

Fix it With Focus by Bryan Smith
Focus. Focus. Focus. That’s the advice Blake frequently hears but fails to follow. Blake stumbles from one mishap to another because of a complete lack of concentration. He carelessly demolishes a Lego volcano in his rush to look out a window. A baseball bruises his elbow (and ego) because a dirt clod takes his focus off the game. And he ends up all wet when he interrupts his own story to do something foolish. Can using manipulatives, including squishy erasers, stress balls and glove taps, help Blake maintain focus and strengthen his concentration muscles?

I Just Don’t Like the Sound of “No!” by Julia Cook
Put an end to arguing or negotiating with youngsters by teaching them how to accept “No” for an answer. Instead of wheedling or pleading, teach them how to disagree appropriately. The steps for each skill are easy to remember with the simple rhymes presented in the story.

I Just Want to do it My Way by Julia Cook
RJ s way of doing things isn t working out for him, especially in math class. His teacher is upset because so many of his assignments are missing or incomplete. RJ blames Norma the booger picker and Rodney the alphabet burper for distracting him during class. Follow RJ as he learns he can save himself a lot of grief if he stays on task and does things the right way!

Kindness Counts by Bryan Smith
When Cade’s and his family find out their ice cream order was paid for by another patron, they continue paying it forward, and so starts the discussion of random acts of kindness. Cade takes this idea and runs with it, showing unexpected kindnesses to others. But when Cade’s dad would like him to donate some of his own toys, he has a hard time. Will Cade be able to learn the importance of being kind to others, even when it isn’t easy?

My Day is Ruined! by Bryan Smith
Braden was so excited for his upcoming Championship baseball game! The night before he dreamt of that moment and the oohs and ahhs of the crowd as he scored the game-winning run! But imagine his surprise when he woke up to pouring rain and NO GAME! This, coupled with some events at school that don’t go his way, send Braden on an overreaction tailspin! Will Braden be able to recover from his overreacting tendencies and practice the tips of flexible thinking that his teacher and mom teach him?

Of Course It’s a Big Deal! by Bryan Smith
Braden is super excited to go to the Fun Zone with his brother and parents. He knows what he wants, to drive the go-carts for the first time ever! When he arrives, he learns he doesn’t meet the height requirement. He tries to get his mom to intervene, but she refuses because “a rule is a rule.” And when the guy behind the track tells him it’s not that big of a deal because he can ride with a parent, Braden loses his temper and shouts “It IS a big deal! I hate this place!” Braden’s mom helps him realize that throwing a temper tantrum doesn’t help anyone. She teaches him the steps for calming down so he can think of a way to make the situation better. Can Braden do as his mom suggests?

Sorry I Forget to Ask by Julia Cook
No more lame excuses or empty apologies! Help kids in grades K-6 accept responsibility for their actions by understanding how and when to ask for permission and how to make sincere apologies for mistakes. The steps for these necessary social skills are presented in rhyming text that kids can easily remember from RJ’s social skill story.

What Were You Thinking? by Bryan Smith
Third-grader Braden loves to be the center of attention. His comic genius, as he sees it, causes his friends to look at him in awe. But some poor decision-making, like ill-timed jokes in class and an impulsive reaction during gym that left a classmate teary-eyed and crumpled on the floor, forces the adults in Braden’s life to teach him about impulse control. But will the lessons shared by his teachers and his mom really help Braden manage his impulses?

When I Care About Others by Cornelia Maude Spelman
In today’s society, perhaps more than ever, young children need to develop empathy. In this simple book, the author begins by helping children see that when they are sick, hurt, or unhappy, others care about them. Children can then begin to see that others need to be cared about as well. Common situations will further a child’s appreciation for and understanding of what others feel and need.

When I Feel Angry by Cornelia Maude Spelman
Everyone feels angry sometimes, but there are always ways to feel better! Join a bunny rabbit and her family as she learns to manage angry feelings. With a focus on identifying the causes of an emotional reaction, and coming up with ways to start feeling calm and happy again, this book explains simple strategies to help kids understand and take care of their emotions.

When I Feel Good About Myself by Cornelia Maude Spelman
I feel good about myself. Somebody loves me just as I am. I don’t have to look like anyone else, be the same size, or do the same things. It’s fine to be me. This book offers children positive and upbeat examples about being themselves. The author portrays a very young guinea pig and friends feeling good about themselves through common situations readers will relate to.

When I Feel Sad by Cornelia Maude Spelman
“Sometimes I feel sad. I feel sad when someone won’t let me play, or when I really want to tell about something and nobody listens. When someone else is sad, I feel sad, too…Sad is a cloudy, tired feeling. Nothing seems fun when I feel sad.” Children will take comfort in this story. Readers will recognize similiar experiences in their own lives as this little guinea pig describes feeling sad when someone is cross or when something bad happens. Eventually our heroine realizes that feeling sad doesn’t last forever.

When I Feel Scared by Cornelia Maude Spelman
Children often feel afraid. This book, with its comforting words and illustrations, will help children address those fears and learn some new ways to cope with being afraid. First, a little bear describes some of the things that frighten him, like bad dreams or big, tall slides, or when his mother goes away. Sometimes, he just feels scared and doesn’t know why! But he learns there are things he can do to make himself feel better.

When I Miss You by Cornelia Maude Spelman
Young children often experience anxiety when they are separated from their mothers or fathers. A young guinea pig expresses her distress when her mother and father go away. “Missing you is a heavy, achy feeling. I don’t like missing you. I want you right now!” Eventually the little guinea pig realizes that sometimes she and her parents can’t be together. When that happens, she knows that others can help. “They can snuggle with me or we can play. It helps me to be warm and close to someone. They remind me that you’ll be back.”

When My Worries Get Too Big by Kari Dunn Buron
Anxiety is the leading childhood mental health diagnosis.
This book teaches young children about their anxiety (worries) and how to relax their bodies. The book is filled with wonderfully goofy illustrations that communicate how to recognize stress and moods before they spin out of control.

The direct teaching approach puts the power in the hands of the children themselves. The book also includes a wealth of information for parents, therapists and teachers about how to put the story and other calming exercises into practice.

Wilma Jean, the Worry Machine by Julia Cook
(Grades 2-5) Although quite common, anxiety disorders in children are often misdiagnosed and overlooked. Everyone feels fear, worry and apprehension from time to time, but when these feelings prevent a person from doing what he/she wants and/or needs to do, anxiety becomes a disability. This fun and humorous book addresses the problem of anxiety in a way that relates to children of all ages. It offers creative strategies for parents and teachers to use that can lessen the severity of anxiety. The goal of the book is to give children the tools needed to feel more in control of their anxiety. For those worries that are not in anyone’s control (i.e. the weather,) a worry hat is introduced. A fun read for Wilmas of all ages!

You’re Angry: Throw a Fit or Talk it Out? by Connie Colwell
If you’re angry, will you throw a fit or talk it out? Learning how to make good choices is an important and essential part of growing up. With multiple endings, this book allows the reader to make choices and read what happens next, learning how good or bad choices lead to different consequences. In this illustrated choose-your-own-ending book, Kendra is angry that her dad wants her to go to bed. Will she throw a fit or talk it out? Readers make choices for Kendra and read what happens next, with each story path leading to different consequences. Includes four different endings and discussion questions.

You Can Handle Conflict: Hands or Words? by Connie Colwell
During conflict will you use your hands or words? If you’re angry, will you throw a fit or talk it out? Learning how to make good choices is an important and essential part of growing up. With multiple endings, each book allows the reader to make choices and read what happens next, learning how good or bad choices lead to different consequences. In this illustrated choose-your-own-ending book, Quinn deals with conflict on the playground: who will get to use the swing? Readers make choices for Quinn and read what happens next, with each story path leading to different consequences. Includes five different endings and discussion questions.

Unless listed otherwise, these books are available from one of the following websites:
https://gospelpublishers.com/canada/
https://www.gospelpublishers.com/usa/
https://www.amazon.com/
https://www.amazon.ca/

Websites

Articles