Child Esteem

Zonia’s home is the Amazon rain forest, where it is always green and full of life. Every morning, the rain forest calls to Zonia, and every morning, she answers. She visits the sloth family, greets the giant anteater, and runs with the speedy jaguar. But one morning, the rain forest calls to her in a troubled voice. How will Zonia answer?

The first children’s book from multi-genre artist Brontez Purnell, a 2018 winner of the Whiting Award, sweetly portrays a common but rarely narrated childhood experience - having a single parent and taking care of a younger sibling. The Nightlife of Jacuzzi Gaskett recounts 11-year-old Jacuzzi’s evening activities while he cares for his baby brother and waits for mama’s arrival home. He ponders his dad, school, and his future - and when his brother wakes up, Jacuzzi knows just how to get him back to sleep.

Walter had spent all summer counting down the days until the first day of school. He couldn’t wait to make new shark friends and finally swim into his classroom for the first time. But the first class picture of the year changes everything. Walter realizes there is one big difference between him and his shark classmates. After his discovery, Walter spends his day trying anything he can think of to blend in with the other sharks, only to learn that the things that make us feel like we don’t fit in are the very things that make us stand out.

When Maria's family moves to a new town, her parents sign her up for the summer soccer team to help her meet new friends. But Maria has never tried soccer before. She would rather be back on her old swim team. Maria is afraid that she'll be the worst player and that no one will like her. Coach Tony and Coach Lauren remind Maria that everything is new at first. Maria will have to give soccer a try to see if she likes it.

Pinduli's mama has always told her that she's the most beautiful hyena ever. But Dog, Lion, and Zebra don't think so. Why else would they make her feel so rotten about her big ears, her fuzzy mane, and her wiggly stripes? Poor Pinduli just wants to disappear. But then a case of mistaken identity lets her show the creatures of the African savanna how a few tiny words can create something enormous.

Princess Penelope lives in a beautiful palace with a closet full of beautiful dresses. But being a princess is much much more than beauty. In fact, every morning, Princess Penelope runs right past her frilly dresses to choose from her beloved collection of pants! What she wears each day depends on what job she has to do. Will she command the royal air force sporting her sequined flight suit? Will she find her Zen in her yoga pants and favorite tee? Or will she work in the kingdom's vegetable garden with pocketed overalls for all of her tools?

Young Slim has always dreamed of being a cowboy. That's why he quivers with excitement on his first day at the WJ Ranch. The sights, sounds, and smells of cowboy life thrill him so that he stays awake that night, writing beautiful poetry.

Jimmy lives in a small Caribbean town where there's not a whole lot to do. Fortunately though, there is a boxing gym, and one day the owner, Don Apolinar, suggests that Jimmy start training. He also gives Jimmy a cardboard box full of books and newspaper clippings all about Muhammad Ali. Jimmy reads and re-reads as he never has before. He is swept with admiration for Ali who said, "I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was."

Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony are trying to decide what to play today. Nothing that Sparkles suggests - making crafts, playing checkers, and selling lemonade - goes well with the leaping, spinning, and twirling that Ballet Cat likes to do. When Sparkles' leaps, spins, and twirls seem halfhearted, Ballet Cat asks him what's wrong.

Ever since Unicorn moved into the neighborhood, Goat has been feeling out of sorts. Goat thought his bike was cool--until he saw that Unicorn could "fly" to school! Goat made marshmallow squares that almost came out right, but Unicorn made it rain cupcakes! Unicorn is such a show-off, how can Goat compete? When Goat and Unicorn share a piece of pizza, Goat learns that being a unicorn might not be all it's cracked up to be. And when Unicorn shows his admiration for Goat, it looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber's chair - a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. Crown is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror.

Poor Donut is feeling anxious. School is about to start again, and Donut can't stop all sorts of worries from filling her round donut head. She's tired of her friends and family saying "Don't worry"! As if it's that easy! Can her new friend, Cookie, help her find ways to manage her anxiety? Christianne Jones, author of Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker, offers up a sweet story to introduce anxiety-coping skills. Donut's story will give children a valuable understanding of their worries and techniques that can help manage them.

Dear Girl, Do You Know That You Are Amazing? Have you ever felt like you’re not good enough? Maybe you think you’re not as sporty, smart, or brave as other children? Helen feels that way too sometimes. But as she goes on her adventures, she learns something amazing: being herself is exactly what makes her special. These stories are written just for you. Join Helen as she finds her courage, follows her dreams, and learns that being kind makes her strong. You’ll see how she helps her friends, tries new things, and discovers that her voice matters. Get ready for the adventure!

Through our guidance, you will explore and reintegrate aspects of your mind that have been shamed and repressed. Shadow Work teaches us to stop hiding from our true selves. By owning the truth of your feelings, regardless of how "bad" or "wrong" you judge them, you reclaim your power. Shadow Work is about confronting the truth and nothing but the truth.

After parting ways with her troubled mermaid tribe, Luce just wants to live peacefully on her own. But her tranquility doesn’t last long: She receives news that the tribe is on the verge of collapse and desperately needs her leadership. The tribe’s cruel queen wants Luce dead. Dorian, the boy Luce broke mermaid law to save, is determined to make her pay for her part in the murder of his family. And while the mermaids cling to the idea that humans never suspect their existence, there are suddenly ominous signs to the contrary.

Tyrell is a young African-American teen who can't get a break. He's living (for now) with his spaced-out mother and little brother in a homeless shelter. His father's in jail. His girlfriend supports him, but he doesn't feel good enough for her - and seems to be always on the verge of doing the wrong thing around her. There's another girl at the homeless shelter who is also after him, although the desires there are complicated. Tyrell feels he needs to score some money to make things better. Will he end up following in his father's footsteps?

Now more than ever, it’s time to reconnect with the woman you were always meant to be. In a world that often asks women to harden, hide their softness, and forget the beauty of their inner child, this book is a gentle invitation back to your feminine essence. Healing the Feminine Energy is a heart-led guide to rediscovering the part of you that longs to feel safe, seen, and whole again. It helps you understand where your wounds began—and lovingly shows you how to begin healing them.

From the beginning Jonathan is spooked by the deserted island where his family is camping - and his premonitions come true. After Jonathan's mother breaks her ankle, Jonathan and his younger sister, Abby, are left alone. Then a devastating earthquake hits. The bridge is destroyed, the trailer is smashed, and there's no food or water. Suddenly Jonathan and Abby are fighting for their lives...

Are you looking for a fun and educational way to help your seven year old unlock their secret superpowers and reach their full potential? Look no further than Life Skills Every 7 Year Old Should Know! Packed with practical tips, easy-to-understand content, and powerful exercises, this book covers a wide range of life skills that will help your child succeed both now and in the future.

Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside a grim Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation: she becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in. All of them, like her, are lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives.