Imagination and motivation are key to young children’s happiness and health. Thinking about dreams and goals can help children cope with challenges when they arise and view life through a hopeful lens. With this encouraging book, nurture children’s imaginations and help them enjoy taking responsibility for their choices and goals. A section for adults includes advice for motivating kids and teaching about goal setting at home, at school, and in childcare.

Being the Best Me Series:

From the author of the popular Learning to Get Along® books come the first two books in this one-of-a-kind character-development series. Each book focuses on specific attitude or character traits—such as optimism, courage, resilience, imagination, personal power, decision-making, and work ethics. Also included are discussion questions, games, activities, and additional information adults can use to reinforce the concepts children are learning. Filled with diversity, these read-aloud books will be welcome in school, home, and childcare settings.

Review:

PreS-K—These books are simply written and will empower students to turn around bad days. Affirming statements such as “Even when something seems bad, I can learn from it or find some good in it” are accompanied by large, cheerful, illustrations that are perfect for prompting discussion about how the scene reflects the writing and whether similar examples can be found in students’ lives. The books conclude with numerous questions parents and teachers can ask to encourage additional reflection, as well as worthwhile hands-on activities to further emphasize positive thinking and foster self-confidence. Thanks in large part to the basic, clear language, these enjoyable volumes manage to avoid the overwrought proclamations that plague a lot of the self-help genre.

Author Bio:

Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed., has her master’s degree in elementary education and gifted education. The author of the award-winning Learning to Get Along social skills series for young children and a former first-grade teacher, she has taught education classes at Utah State University and has supervised student teachers. Cheri and her husband, David, have six children and two grandchildren. She lives in Laurel, Maryland.

Elizabeth Allen is an artist and professional illustrator of children’s picture books as well as a former songwriter and jazz musician. She has exhibited her art in galleries in the Midwest and on the East Coast. Elizabeth lives on a river running through a forest near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Other titles in the series:

Bounce Back! A book about resilience

Have Courage! A book about being brave

Forgive and Let Go! A book about forgiveness

Be Positive! A book about optimism

Stand Tall! A book about integrity

Feel Confident! A book about self-esteem