Ages: 3 & up

Millie and Her Tangled Thoughts: A Book to Help Catch, Check, and Change Distorted Thinking artistically combines principles of cognitive behavior therapy with a children’s picture book. Each page describes relatable examples of common cognitive distortions as Millie catches, checks, and changes her tangled thoughts. This book will spark your children’s interest as they learn more about the power thoughts have on how they feel and behave and empower them with the ability to untangle negative thinking. - Nedley Health

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Lydia leaves home to help her uncle with his bakery. Although she misses her family greatly, she finds comfort in a quiet, surprise garden space and uses it to bring so much joy to those around her. This “story is told through letters written home, while the illustrations beautifully evoke the Depression-era setting.” - Amazon

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Ages: 5-8

“All of us can be kind, compassionate, and gracious. All of us can be helpful, considerate, and courageous. ⁣⁣
So remember who you are. This is your life to live. Don’t ever hold back. You have so much to give! ⁣⁣
You’re one of a kind, and it’s so clear to see: the world need who YOU were made to be.” ~Joanna Gaines ⁣⁣
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Another beautiful children’s book written by @joannagaines and illustrated by the talented @juliannaswaney. ⁣⁣
This one is definitely my favorite with the storyline, message, and rhyming! 💫⁣⁣ It’s sure to spark conversation in your home about diversity, inclusion, and character development.
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Ages: 4-9

This creative book includes 9 different stories that are dependent upon the reader’s decision. Children are taught that they have the “power to choose” positive or negative behavior and it’s their responsibility to choose as well as deal with the consequences of their actions. This powerful message reinforces the responsibility kids have and the natural consequences that follow a negative decision. This well-thought-out story empowers the reader to help decide what happens to Danny based on his reactions to daily events. It shows also how Danny can turn his day around based on the next choice he makes. This is a great tool to teach children how our choices shape our daily lives and characters.

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What Should Danny Do? School Day - 8 stories in 1 for Danny at school.

What Should Darla Do? - Another 8 stories in 1 for Darla as she manages her day.

Ages: 5-11

Confidence doesn’t come from trying and succeeding right away. Mindset Matters teaches kids that there are many obstacles to overcome but the biggest is our own mindset and how we think about the problem. The author highlights a “gonna-get-it-done mindset” as a way to approach tough challenges. The book encourages trying new things, persistence, and not giving up after your first failure.

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“Included are tips for parents, educators, and counselors. This children's book is part of the Without Limits series and is a great tool for anyone wanting to help kids build self-esteem and develop positive emotions.” - Amazon

Book 1: Kindness Counts: A Story for Teaching Random Acts of Kindness

Book 2: Mindset Matters

Book 3: Empathy is My Superpower!: A Story About Showing You Care

Ages: 2-8

A sweet classic story teaching gentleness, patience while just being yourself. You’ll find out you become most interesting in the quietness of just being you.

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Ages: 4-8

A hilarious book sure to spark a few laughs as you see momma struggling to keep all of her kids well fed and happy. Kids can learn how difficult it can be to try to please everyone. With a surprising twist at the end, children can also learn how much more pleasant it is to pitch in and foster teamwork within the family.

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Ages: 4-8

“A Story About A Simple Act of Kindness”. This book demonstrates the full range of emotions experienced when being bullied and then overcoming. From feeling sad, alone and different to happy, included and empowered when standing up for right by being a friend. It has a powerful message with compelling illustrations that tell the story without words so young children will understand. No words are needed. It’s a perfect illustration of how actions (pictures) speak louder than words.

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Ages: 4-8

A beautiful story about what you should do with an idea. Its message teaches children not to fear what others might think but to remain creative and keep dreaming up ideas. “Everything you see around you was once an idea.” You never know how you can change the world with yours.

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Ages: 4-8

Such a creative book to teach children how to solve problems. “What are problems for? They challenge us, shape us, push us, and help us to discover just how strong and brave and capable we really are.” This story highlights the importance of being brave in spite of fear, persisting through challenges and using them as opportunities. Feel free to take this lesson and add your own spiritual value system to it.

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Ages: 3-8

This book is extremely insightful from the perspective of a child who is quiet but notices everything. She’s been paying “extra special attention” to all the unkind and bully-like behavior. One day she takes a stand and finds even the smallest girl in the smallest grade can make a difference.

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Ages: 4-8

A wonderful illustration about reaching out to others for help and making friends in the process. The uncorker of ocean bottles takes his job very seriously of delivering messages in bottles. He wishes that he might have a message for himself one day but realizes this is highly unlikely since he had no friends. One day he gets a peculiar message and through his diligent search to find the recipient, he discovers something more special, the possibility of friends.

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Ages: 4-8

Join Joanna and her family as they share lessons learned to growing a happy, successful garden. Excellent quality, beautiful illustrations and a genuine story about not being afraid to try new things, overcoming obstacles, not giving up when you fail, and working hard for things you believe in. I mean this is the epitome of who the Gaineses are!

It’s simple, timeless and has a deeper message that is sure to inspire others.

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Ages 3-5

This adorable book highlights the importance of courage and persistence. When little chick wants to surf like her daddy she has to choose to be brave in spite of fear. With creative rhyming, surf lingo and hilarious illustrations, it is sure to be a fun read for the whole family.

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Ages: 5-7

A story of a sweet girl who dreams of becoming an engineer. When an invention doesn’t fly Rosie calls it a failure but her encouraging Aunt says it’s only a failure if you give up. A lesson on perseverance. 

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Purchase Rosie Revere’s Big Project Book for Bold Engineers (An activity book encouraging problem-solving and creative thinking skills)

Ages: 6-12 

An interactive workbook teaching children cognitive behavioral techniques to retrain their brain out of negative thinking by using exercises and self-help strategies.

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Ages: 5-8

A humorous book teaching children to stop blaming others or finding faults and instead learn to take more responsibility for their own actions. This book can also be used to introduce one of the 10 Cognitive Distortions; Blaming.

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This is 1 book out of 5:

Book 2: “Baditude!: What to Do When Your Life Stinks!”

Book 3: “That RULE Doesn’t Apply To Me!”

Book 4: “Cheaters Never Prosper”

Book 5: “The PROcrastinator”

Ages: 4-8 

A lovely story about an ordinary cream-colored cabbage caterpillar who despite being made fun of, keeps her cool, believes in her self-worth and displays kindness and humility. This book can also help introduce the concept of rational vs. distorted thinking when comparing things the caterpillars are saying when inside their cocoons. 

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Ages: 3-6 

An adorable story about a little fox who falls in love with a toy so much that she lies and says it is hers when arguing with it’s rightful owner. Ruthie feels sick about her lie the rest of the day and has trouble being herself. Her parents encourage her to tell the truth and she finds so much relief in doing so. A wonderful lesson on the importance of telling the truth and forgiveness.

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Ages: 3-7  

A classic story about some toys that are stranded and want to make it over the mountain. Many engines refuse the trip until along comes a little blue engine. She has never made it over the mountains before but with some determination and positive self-talk “I think I can, I THINK I CAN…” she makes it over! This is a wonderful illustration when teaching your children what to tell themselves when coping with something difficult in life and trying to increase their frustration tolerance. 

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Spanish edition

Ages: 4-8

A cute story normalizing feelings of competition; revealing harmful consequences that can come about as a result of a temper tantrum. 

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