Don't Sweat It

April 1, 2022
Preschool-Grade 1 Cute, colorful monsters help kids manage big feelings in this selection from the Life Works! series (4 titles). Adopting a reassuring tone, the conversational text asks readers to think about instances when they've experienced strong emotions, and then offers tips for shrinking those feelings back down to size. Listening to your body, meditating, taking a break, asking a trusted grown-up for help, and showing empathy all feature here. Kids will respond to the quirky illustrations, which combine cheerful backdrops and cartoon monsters with expressive photos of children, and speech-bubble conversations between the monsters help clarify concepts from the text. Questions are often put to the reader, helping them to consider their own feelings and understand what steps they can take if they ever feel overwhelmed. A very useful and approachable choice for SEL collections.

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April 1, 2022

PreS-Gr 2-Using stylized monster characters, these books guide readers through activities to help build empathy and understanding, while developing critical skills like time management and building trust with others. Bright colors and silly monsters keep the serious topics layered with some levity to ease the tension, while maintaining the focus on building emotional intelligence without overwhelming young audiences. The simple sentences and built-in activities make this an excellent choice for home and school libraries aiming to incorporate deeper discussions on social interactions with children. VERDICT These are fun read-alikes for fans of the "Basher Science" books who are looking for mental and social health topics at a slightly younger level.

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