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Build Confidence with Books

body image October 20, 2022 10:00 am

October 20th is National Youth Confidence Day. Helping kids develop a sense of confidence and resilience is a big task for parents and caregivers. The American Psychological Association has books for children and teens that explore confidence, self-esteem, and resilience Here are some of our recent titles:    Big Bold Beautiful Me: A Story That’s Loud Proud and Celebrates You! by Jane Yolen and Maddison Stemple-Piatt  Big Bold Beautiful Me is a delightful announcement of self-love, self-appreciation, self-acceptance, and self-comfort, and being 100% proud of who you are and your shape. Check out the book.  “Children celebrate their abundant bodies, from their hair to their feet…As each child repeats the celebratory refrain, Burgett’s cheerful illustrations portray them alongside kids from previous spreads, emphasizing connection and belonging… An upbeat, uncomplicated ode to bodies that are big, thick, broad, and boundless.”—Kirkus Reviews    Brilliant Bea by Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich  Brilliant Bea is an endearing and empowering story that demonstrates that a learning difference like dyslexia doesn’t define who you are. Check out the book.   “The teacher’s supportive actions are wonderful to see, but even better is how the tape recorder helps Bea connect with her classmates. Printed in a dyslexia-friendly font, this affirming story about finding your feet and your voice is a lovely confidence booster for young readers, especially those who may learn differently.” —Booklist  Hear the story read aloud. Read an excerpt from the Reader's Note.   You Can't Please Everyone! by Ellen Flanagan Burns  Ellie feels like she is disappointing people if she says “no.” With help from her parents and her teacher, Ellie finds the strength to be honest with people and do the right thing for herself by learning how to say “no.” Check out the book.    Read an excerpt from the introduction.       Like Ability: The Truth About Popularity by Lori Getz, MA and Mitchell J. Prinstein, PhD  Like Ability is a practical, insightful guide for teens about popularity: what it is, why some kinds are healthier than others, and how teens can grow their social intelligence and develop the confidence they need to feel more connected to their family, peers, and community. Check out the book.   Read an excerpt from Like Ability.    The Kid Confident books are part of a new nonfiction book series developed with expert psychologist and series editor, Bonnie Zucker, PsyD, that authentically captures the middle school experience. These books skillfully guide middle schoolers through those tricky years between elementary and high school with a supporting voice of a trusted big sister or a favorite aunt, stealthily offering life lessons and evidence-based coping skills.   Kid Confident: How To Manage Your SOCIAL POWER In Middle School (Book #1) by Bonnie Zucker, PsyD  Kid Confident (Book #1) discusses dynamic of social power, equal and unequal, in the context of friendships and with unfriendly peers. Readers learn how to be more assertive and how to create more self-confidence and balance the power in their friend groups. Check out

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Build Confidence with Books 2022-10-19T18:49:07-04:00

Creating Art for Picture Books: Interview with Illustrators

body image July 28, 2021 10:00 am

During Children’s Book Week, Magination Press illustrators shared their experiences creating art for picture books in this panel discussion, moderated by Magination Press’s designer, Rachel Ross.  The panel included: Brittany E. Lakin, illustrator of Blossom and Bud Mackenzie Haley, illustrator of Pockets Full of Rocks: Daddy Talks About Depression Sandhya Prabhat, illustrator of Peacock and Sketch Jamey Christoph, illustrator of Stitch by Stitch: Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt Read a two-part excerpt from author Dr. Frank Sileo’s note to parents and caregivers from Blossom and Bud here and here. Read an interview with Pockets Full of Rocks author, Yair Engelberg, here. 

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Creating Art for Picture Books: Interview with Illustrators 2021-07-27T11:23:32-04:00

Fostering a Positive Body Image, Part 2

body image May 19, 2021 10:00 am By Frank Sileo, PhD
Frank Sileo Author13

We are all different shapes, sizes, and colors, each of us special in our own way. Blossom and Bud by Frank J. Sileo, PhD was written to help children respect, accept and appreciate how their own and others’ bodies are beautiful and different in their own ways. It was also written to foster discussion in a safe and comfortable environment with the caregivers in their lives.  Understanding individual differences and body diversity may help children build self-esteem, feel kindness toward themselves and others, practice healthy eating, have more realistic expectations of their appearance, and possess a healthy body image.  In his Note to Adult Gardeners in Blossom and Bud, Dr. Sileo provides information and suggestions about nurturing a positive body image in children. Here’s an excerpt with tips for fostering a healthy body image. Fostering a Healthy Body Image Examine your own attitudes -- Consider your own beliefs, attitudes, statements, and behaviors around weight, physical characteristics, food, exercise, and health. If we make statements like, “I hate my thighs,” “I need to lose weight before my birthday,” or “I hate my nose,” we convey that we are critical of our appearance, that a healthy body must be perfect, and certain sizes and shapes are unacceptable. Words are important, but back them up with positive behavior. Constant dieting, excessive workouts, or adjusting pictures for social media posts send negative messages about body image to your children. Focus on your child’s inner qualities -- Focus less on appearance and more on your child’s abilities, gifts, and skills. Have discussions about what it means to be a good person without focusing on appearance. Praise your child for inner qualities that make them special. Exercise for enjoyment -- Engage in physical activities without focusing on losing weight. Place your emphasis on what a body can do instead of what a body looks like or cannot do. Talk about healthy food choices -- Take your child shopping and talk about healthy food choices. Model making healthy food choices. Teach your child that having an occasional treat is fine. These foods can be enjoyed in small amounts and in moderation. Educate children about the media --Watch television and movies with your child, and look for advertisements together. Discuss how the media sells products and sometimes portray certain bodies as “ideal.” Explain how the media sometimes will touch up photos or use other tech to change people’s appearance.  Be mindful of bullying -- Children may get teased or bullied about their body or their appearance, but may not say anything about it. If you discover your child is being bullied, talk with them about it. Listen to what they have to say and watch for changes in their behavior, like refusing to participate in activities. Bullying rarely goes away on its own. It may require you to reach out to other adults to make a plan of action. Teach how bodies grow -- Communicate that everyone grows and changes at different times. Encourage your child not

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Fostering a Positive Body Image, Part 2 2021-05-18T23:05:36-04:00