I Like Me.

Celebrating a challenging accomplishment!

I wish I could say my newfound job as CEO and publisher-in-chief of our family business has been deeply rewarding so far… but I’m not quite there yet! I never met my maternal grandfather but I’ve learned his wisdom: “Alle anfang ist schwer.” All beginnings are hard. And that’s okay.

My goal was simple: to get three legacy books back into print. Long story short: one of them needed a major rewrite, two of them had a bit of formatting to tweak, one needed a new cover. Short story shorter: TWO years, hundreds of tweaks, and thousands of dollars later…

Voilá!

Liking Myself is a must-have resource for any parent to improve child behavior, heal low self-esteem, and build emotional literacy. The book helps children (5-11) recognize and manage emotions, especially when depressed, upset, or overwhelmed. This social emotional guide helps children build self-esteem and self-confidence teaching them to listen and talk about feelings. Children learn to manage the full range of their emotions, even negative ones like anxiety, anger, depression, and overwhelm, by writing or drawing responses to specific scenarios. The author speaks directly to the young reader in a warm and personal voice, explaining difficult concepts simply and succinctly, and using self-esteem activities to help children learn and grow. Topics include liking yourself, feeling talk, allowing, letting go, and body talk.

These beautiful books! Liking Myself and The Mouse, the Monster, and Me are not my creations, but I have devoted countless hours in my life shepherding their existence and well-being. This is the second time we’ve brought them back into print. Author Pat Palmer was a good friend and mentor to my mom, and a client of mine for many years. Illustrator Sue Ramá is a wise partner and an inspiration.

Engaging artwork and exercises illustrate aggressive “monster” and passive “mouse” behaviors, helping young readers identify these characteristics in themselves and in others. The Mouse, the Monster and Me explores the “me” communication style, based on rights, responsibility, and respect. It teaches healthy non-violent conflict management skills that help kids stop being—or attracting—bullies. When youngsters learn how to assert themselves appropriately, they gain self-esteem and safer, happier relationships.

Next up are the Spanish translations, and if all goes well, some bite-size editions.

Because kids and parents are always growing together, these books were exceedingly popular among parents wherever my mom, community psychologist Dr. Louise Hart, would be speaking and promoting The Winning Family.

Speaking of Which…

There is a $1 sale on the Kindle version right now of this COMPLETELY AWESOME parenting bible! Grab a quick copy if you haven’t read it…and please do me a favor and leave a review if you have!

I’m listening to the RSJO sing “I Love Me” to celebrate this moment, with all three books back in print.

Want to sing along? Here’s the lyrics! Have a great weekend.