Friday, May 17, 2019

Beyond Breathing and Counting - Ideas for Handling Our Emotions BY: CAROL P. ROMAN, J. ROBIN ALBERTSON-WREN

Beyond Breathing and Counting - Ideas for Handling Our Emotions

BY: CAROL P. ROMAN, J. ROBIN ALBERTSON-WREN

https://thereadingtub.org/sf/reviews/show/MINDFULNESS-FOR-KIDS-by-Carol-Roman-Robin-Albertson-Wren

Summary:

Whether we are at home, school, or spending time with friends, there are times when our emotions are going to shift to the not-so-fun side of the chart: anger or frustration; embarrassment; anxiety, fear or overwhelmed-ness; sadness; or even emotions we can't name. Using everyday scenarios (pesky siblings, spats with friends, accidental damage, lost items) peer guides acknowledge the emotions, help label them, and offer ways to take control of them so they can make healthier and more thoughtful decisions.

Parent Perspective:

Readers in the target audience will most definitely have experienced many of the scenarios described. The book's structure is such that the advice for overcoming the negative emotions of a situation seems to come from a peer. I particularly like that the five guides treat the emotion(s) as a 'normal' part of life and walk the talk about understanding the emotion without judging. That may not seem like a big deal, but I would imagine that some kids can easily get emotionally invested in the story they just read and begin to 'project' those feelings themselves.

Although I can see how Mindfulness for Kidscould be beneficial for first graders (6), adults will need to participate not just in sharing the stories but in modeling the strategies. Which leads me to my bottom line: this is a book for families to share. One is never too young or too old to be more attuned to their emotions, reactions, and choices. Highly recommended.

Reader Enjoyment Factors:

Readers of all ages will recognize themselves in these 15 stories about emotional challenges. They will also be able to think of a situation from their own life that matches the emotions that are expertly described. The book provides exceptional opportunities to open discussion with a parent reader or other family members, and also experiment with different strategies to see which one(s) work for them.

Content Awareness Factors:

The audience is described as 6 to 10, but the reading level is beyond that age group. Phonetic parentheticals for words like amygdala would have been helpful. The subtitle is a misnomer, as these are not isolated "activities" but ideas/strategies for building mindfulness skills.

Type of Book:

This is a "case study" style book to engage kids in thinking about and providing strategies for their emotions, stress, and reactions to situations.

Reading Level:

6.2

Recommended Age To Read By Yourself:

11 and Up

Recommended Age To Read Together:

6 and Up

Purchase Recommendation:

Buy. Especially if you are going to read this together.

Title	Mindfulness for Kids: 30 Fun Activities to Stay Calm, Happy, and In Control
Author	Carol P. Roman, J. Robin Albertson-Wren
Publisher	Althea Press © 2018
ISBN	9781641520850
Material	Paperback
Cost	$13.99
Genres	Interactive,Health - Fitness, Concepts (general)

State Of Publishing

Carole P. Roman and R.L. Jackson discuss publishing, magazine news and other topics dealing with the indie publishing industry.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/indieauthorsroundtable/2019/05/15/state-of-publishing

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Feathered Quill: The Knowing: A Bulwark Anthology (Book 1)

The Knowing: A Bulwark Anthology (Book 1)

The Knowing by Brit Lunden

By: Brit Lunden
Publisher: Chelshire
Publication Date: March 2019
ISBN: 978-1947188990
Reviewed By: Holly Connors
Review Date: April 11, 2019

Author Brit Lunden starts out her new "Bulwark Anthology" series in the same way she started (with her initial offering, Bulwark), with a fast-paced, satisfying story that will have readers glued to the pages, trying to figure out what is going to happen next.

In The Knowing, the first book in the "Bulwark Anthology," the reader is re-introduced to JB Stratton, an elderly man who we first met in Bulwark. JB played a small role in that story, briefly taking care of an out-of-town couple hurt in a car accident. When the injured woman saw a picture of JB's late, beloved wife and made a nasty accusation, JB didn't take it lightly. After all, his late wife Ellie was, and would always be, his soul mate. If you didn't read Bulwark, it's not necessary to read it before reading this novella, but I'd recommend it as it's a great read. But for those without a copy of that first book, fear not, as the author covers those events in the first chapter of The Knowing.

Once the refresher chapter is complete, it's on to the new story. The reader is transported back 52 years, to a slower time in Bulwark, GA, where JB is a high school student, a star football player, and dirt poor. Between working on his parents' farm, school work, and football practice, the young man has no time for anything else. That is until Ellie Bronson, a blonde, blue-eyed, beautiful young woman, one year younger than JB, arrives from Connecticut. JB is smitten, but he's also shy and too ill-at-ease to ask Ellie for a date.

Soon, JB could think of nothing but Ellie. It was as if he knew her, but that was impossible because she'd just moved to Georgia. Something out of his past perhaps? Still, he couldn't stop thinking of her, nor could he shake the feeling of knowing her from...where? And then he started dreaming about Ellie. But the dreams...they were unusual and left him uneasy which was particularly odd because he couldn't remember what they were about.

At last, JB and Ellie connect and their romance begins. Things are going great until Ellie's brother finds out about the couple and decides to put an end to JB's desires. JB gets knocked out and that's when things get really odd, or fantastic, depending on your point of view. JB is transported to a Civil War battlefield, or is it just a dream? Readers will be pulled into the story to find out, and eager to learn how Ellie fits into the story.

The Knowing, a novella of just 80 pages is a quick read, made all the quicker because you won't want to stop reading until the very end. I was eager to dive into this story because Bulwark, the short story that started this series, was such an enjoyable read. I wanted to re-visit the town of Bulwark, GA and learn what other oddities were awaiting the reader. I was initially surprised to learn that this story didn't revolve around Sheriff Clay Finnes, the main character in Bulwark, but instead a minor player from that book. While I look forward to meeting Clay in another story in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed learning JB and Ellie's backstory. There's just enough supernatural "something" going on to keep the reader wondering, as well as asking themselves, "do I have a soul mate?" Here's hoping that there will be a lot more books in this anthology series!

Quill says: A very satisfying start to the "Bulwark Anthology" series. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

For more information on The Knowing: A Bulwark Anthology, please visit the author's website: www.britlunden.com

Purchase on Amazon today!: https://www.amazon.com/Knowing-Bulwark-Anthology-Book/dp/1947188992/

Link to Article: https://featheredquill.com/the-knowing/

Monday, March 18, 2019

Kids Book Giveaway!

*Kid's Book Giveaway!* Congratulations to Dr. Krissy Bonning-Gould, on the upcoming release of her new book, The Outdoor Toddler Activity Book. To celebrate, I'm giving away an advance copy of her book along with my book, Mindfulness for Kids, to play and teach your child. 

To enter, comment below with a GIF or emoji of how you would feel if you won. I'll pick a winner on Friday, March 22nd. Giveaway open to U.S. residents.

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks

https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Kids-Activities-Happy-Control/dp/164152085X

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Toddler-Activity-Book-Activities/dp/1641523514

My Review:

In today's age, people have forgotten the simple joy of playing outside. Video games have taken over as a favorite past time, and children don't even think of the many different activities available at their fingertips. The Outdoor Toddler Activity Book is chock-filled with both indoor and outdoor fun-filled things to do. Chrissy Bonning-Gould uses everyday products that can be found in any home and changes them into useful tools to occupy a child for hours. All the activities center around discovery, as well as learning, but either way, they provide ways to engage children in communicating with both a parent and each other. Lovely gift to give to a new parent or a great gift in a child's goodie bag.

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Oh Susannah Series Unpacks Stressful Situations - BookTrib

Oh Susannah Series Unpacks Stressful Situations

https://booktrib.com/2019/02/oh-susannah-series-unpacks-stressful-situations-for-kids/

Published on February 20, 2019 in Children's Books by Rebecca Proulx

Carole P. Roman, author of many beloved children’s books, unpacks the stress of school and bustle of a busy home in her Oh Susannah series. The instantly lovable third-grader Susannah illustrates how easy it is to feel frightened or overwhelmed by a mountain of responsibilities just going about your everyday activities, and most importantly how students and parents can work together to reduce anxiety.

In the Oh Susannah installment It’s in the Bag, Susannah goes through a trying day at school. Susannah starts the day with unfinished homework. It’s not that she didn’t try. She just couldn’t figure out most of the questions and had trouble focusing. She’d ask her parents for help but they’re always so busy.

Scrambling to gather her supplies along with her unfinished work, she aggravates her mother running late. To her further dismay, her mother insists that Susannah bring a banana to school. Susannah hates bananas. So along with her incomplete assignments, the undesired fruit gets tossed in the bag. Many more unfortunate items join the antagonistic company of anxieties in Susannah’s bag as the day drags on.

A failed pop quiz based on Susannah’s incomplete homework, a form on having correct footwear for gym class and two books she can’t decide between for a report also weigh her down, physically and emotionally.

At the end of the day, noticing their daughter looks stressed and miserable, her parents talk to her about managing work. Susannah feels defeated by all the little tasks that bother her in such a big way, but her parents point out that seemingly small things like a quiz can weigh people down easily emotionally, for both kids and adults. Little troubles can add up quick to a bad day, so it’s important to take steps to relax and manage obstacles.

When Susannah is overwhelmed, her parents suggest deep breathing and organizing her tasks in order of importance. Then Susannah can deal with one item at a time, and seek the help of her parents when she needs it. Her parents also learned an important lesson with Susannah. It’s easy to become occupied with their own crazy schedules, but it’s important to check in on their girl to make sure she’s not feeling anxious and offer assistance when she could use a hand.

Following Susannah through her day, you couldn’t help but sympathize with her ups and downs. A friend and comfort to your own young one, Susannah learns many important lessons and overcomes hurtles such as managing work and trying new things in a way that will appeal to many in a similar position to her.

In her next book in the Oh Susannah series, Things That Go Bump, our stalwart hero moves on from the challenges of school to a sleepover at a house rumored to be haunted. Susannah is excited to spend a night with her friend Lola, but is apprehensive because her home was built over 100 years ago and Lola’s brother claims to have seen ghosts there.

Overcoming her inclination to stay at her own home, Susannah braves the slumber party for Lola’s sake, but must now face her fears of all the spooky things that might go bump in the night while she’s there.

With the help of her friends and peers though, Susannah learns that everyone is scared of something. Having the courage to face your fears is part of learning to overcome them. Sharing the positive messages of finding support when you need it and confronting obstacles with determination and courage, Carole P. Roman has penned a series that will prove a favorite for your own child, ready to take on the world.

Oh Susannah: It’s in the Bag and Oh Susannah: Things That Go Bump are now available for purchase.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

CAROLE P. ROMAN:

Prolific children’s author, Carole P. Roman has published over fifty-two award-winning books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children. She hosts three blog radio programs and is one of the founders of the magazine, Indie Author’s Monthly. Roman’s been interviewed twice by Forbes Magazine. She’s published a self-help book with media-maven, Julie A. Gerber, called Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing. Roman writes adult fiction under the pen name, Brit Lunden. She lives on Long Island near her family.

MATEYA ARKOVA:

Mateya Arkova is a children’s illustrator based in Bulgaria. Her illustrations take the readers into a funny cartoonish world with bright pastel colors and curvy lines leading to great adventures. Her favorite sources of inspiration are traveling the world and drawing its vivid colors.

Monday, February 25, 2019

I read this and wanted to share it...

From the surgical nurse and certified CPR teacher: Please pause for 2 minutes and read this: 1. Let’s say it’s 7.25pm and you’re going home (alone of course) after an unusually hard day on the job. 2. You’re really tired, upset and frustrated. 3 Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to drag out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five km from the hospital nearest your home. 4. Unfortunately, you don’t know if you’ll be able to make it that far. 5. You have been trained in CPR, but the guy who taught the course did not tell you how to perform it on yourself. 6. HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE? Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. 7. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. 8. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital. 9. Tell as many other people as possible about this. It could save their lives!! 10. A cardiologist says If everyone who gets this mail kindly sends it to 10 people, you can bet that we’ll save at least one life. 11. Rather than sending jokes, please... contribute by forwarding this mail which can save a person’s life. 12. If this message comes around you... more than once… please don’t get irritated... You should instead, be happy that you have many friends who care about you & keeps reminding you how to deal with a Heart attack. Hold your finger down on the message and hit forward.