Healing Stories for Challenging Behaviour brings together the fruits of Susan Perrow's work in storymaking. It is richly illustrated with lively anecdotes drawn from parents and teachers who have discovered how the power of story can help resolve a range of common childhood behaviours and situations such as separation anxiety, bullying, sibling rivalry, nightmares and grieving.
Some of the country’s most admired authors—including Andre Dubus III, Mark Doty, Marianne Leone, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Richard Blanco, Abigail Thomas, Kate Bornstein, Jerald Walker, and Kyoko Mori—describe their treks through dark memories and breakthrough moments and attest to the healing power of putting words to experience. What does it take to write an honest memoir? And what happens to us when we embark on that journey? Melanie Brooks sought guidance from the memoirists who most moved her to answer these questions. Called an essential book for creative writers by Poets & Writers, Writing Hard Stories is a unique compilation of authentic stories about the death of a partner, parent, or child; about violence and shunning; and about the process of writing. It will serve as a tool for teachers of writing and give readers an intimate look into the lives of the authors they love. Authors profiled in Writing Hard Stories: Andre Dubus III, Sue William Silverman, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Joan Wickersham, Kyoko Mori, Richard Hoffman, Suzanne Strempek Shea, Abigail Thomas, Monica Wood, Mark Doty, Edwidge Dantict, Marianne Leone, Jerald Walker, Kate Bornstein, Jessica Handler, Richard Blanco, Alysia Abbott, and Kim Stafford Insights from Writing Hard Stories “Why we endeavor collectively to write a book or paint a canvas or write a symphony...is to understand who we are as human beings, and it’s that shared knowledge that somehow helps us to survive.”—Richard Blanco “Here’s what you need to understand: your brothers [or family or friends] are going to have their own stories to tell. You don’t have to tell the family story. You have to tell your story of being in that family.”—Andre Dubus III “We all need a way to express or make something out of experiences that otherwise have no meaning. If what you want is clarity and meaning, you have to break the secrets over your knee and make something of those ingredients.”—Abigail Thomas “What we remember and how we remember it really tells us how we became who we became.”—Michael Patrick MacDonald “The reason I write memoir is to be able to see the experience itself...I hardly know what I think until I write...Writing is a way to organize your life, give it a frame, give it a structure, so that you can really see what it was that happened.”—Sue William Silverman “After a while in the process, you have some distance and you start thinking of it as a story, not as your story...It was a personal grief, but no longer personal...[It’s] something that has not just happened to me and my family, but something that’s happened in the world.”—Edwidge Danticat “Tibetan Buddhists believe that eloquence is the telling of a truth in such a way that it eases suffering...The more suffering that is eased by your telling of the truth, the more eloquent you are. That’s all you can really hope for—being eloquent in that fashion. All you have to do is respond to your story honestly, and that’s the ideal.”—Kate Bornstein “You can never entirely redeem the experience. You can’t make it not hurt anymore. But you can make it beautiful enough so that there’s something to balance it in the other scale. And if you understand that word beautiful as not necessarily pretty, then you’re getting close to recognizing the integrative power of restoring the balance, which is restoring the truth.”—Richard Hoffman
How can Canadian educators begin to instill cultural sensitivity and social awareness in elementary and secondary school students? This vital text attempts to answer that question by bringing together literacy scholars and practicing teachers in a unique cross-Canadian exploration of children’s literature and social justice. Through reflection on the experience of teaching with various Canadian texts including picture books, novels, and graphic novels, the contributors behind Challenging Stories create a “pedagogy of discomfort” that will encourage both educators and their students to develop critical literacy skills. The compelling contributions to this collection highlight the complexities of teaching with texts that address issues of discrimination, historical marginalization, colonialism, racial and gender intolerance, sexual orientation, language, and cultural diversity. The authors offer first-hand insight into the possibilities and challenges of implementing curricular and pedagogical changes to promote equity and social justice in the classroom. Featuring the stories of participating teachers and an annotated bibliography of children’s literature, this invaluable resource will prove to be essential reading for current and future educators.
In this rhyming story, Kiara learns how to keep going even when things get too hard. Through colorful illustrations and rhythmic rhymes, Kiara reflects on her mistakes and realizes that mistakes help her grow. Instead of avoiding them, she learns from them so she can improve. Do you want your child to learn about perseverance and diligence? Your child will learn how easy it is to get back up after failing. "I Choose to Try Again" is a story with social emotional learning (SEL) in mind. It has been praised by teachers and therapists worldwide. This story told from Kiara's point of view will help open your child's mind to what it feels like to fail, and then try again. Kiara will teach your child how to be mentally strong. With Kiara in real life examples, your child will learn to develop their understanding of their own emotions. Throughout the story, Kiara will show you what perseverance looks like. Teacher and Therapist Toolbox: I Choose is an empowering series curated to empower young children to become aware of big emotions. A new book series developed in tandem with teachers and therapists to help children cope with a range of emotions and teach them that they indeed hold the power to choose their actions and reactions. Try not to say 'never.'. That brainwashes you to fail. It means that you won't have the chance To raise the victory sail. "I Choose to Try Again" was developed alongside counselors and parents to be used as a resource in a social emotional curriculum.
Many films and novels defy our ability to make sense of the plot. While puzzling storytelling, strange incongruities, inviting enigmas and persistent ambiguities have been central to the effects of many literary and cinematic traditions, a great deal of contemporary films and television series bring such qualities to the mainstream—but wherein lies the attractiveness of perplexing works of fiction? This collected volume offers the first comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and trans-medial approach to the question of cognitive challenge in narrative art, bringing together psychological, philosophical, formal-historical, and empirical perspectives from leading scholars across these fields.
A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Featured in its own episode in the Netflix original show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices! National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone. There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical text and Rafael López's dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway. (This book is also available in Spanish, as El Día En Que Descubres Quién Eres!)
Inspiring true stories of kids from around the world of kids who have overcome obstacles to create success for themselves. The third installment in the Real Kids, Real Stories collection again travels the world with inspirational short stories of young people who overcame adversity and persevered in the face of extreme challenges. Soosan Firooz broke barriers to become Afghanistan’s first female rapper and speaks out about the oppression and hardships women in her country must overcome. David Omondi in Kenya built his own radio station despite a lack of resources. And Kevin Breel speaks out about his own depression to help save lives. The thirty short stories in Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Challenges will inspire readers to believe in themselves, strive for success, overcome obstacles, and create change in the world—even when faced with a challenge. Note: Several stories in this book address intense and serious situations, which some readers may find unsettling.
"Unwavering Strength" is a heart-warming collection of inspirational stories from 32 authors, designed to help people find the strength, peace, and comfort they need on their journey to healing.From illness to death and loss to phobias, daring escapes and bullying - these moving stories of vastly different experiences all share a similar, unifying message:The strength and power to overcome ANY type of adversity lies within each of us. "These stories are gems of faith, and can help anyone feel better when going through a rough time. The writers are gifted and share much needed uplifting stories. This book is a must read!!" ~ Bob Proctor - Best-Selling Author of You Were Born Rich and the star of The Secret "When life overwhelms you and you feel a bit defeated, pick up this book. In Unwavering Strength, the authors take you on a journey that will help you heal your heart so that you can live a happy and joyful life." ~Marci Shimoff - Professional Speaker, #1 NYTimes Bestselling Author, Happy for No Reason, Love For No Reason, Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul "There will always be those times in our lives when what we need most is the comfort of knowing "It will be alright".. and those days when the tinniest spark of hope can pull us through the inferno of pain, doubt and confusion. For those in need of compassion's touch and proof that you can begin anew... this book is a must." ~ Willie Aames - Actor/Author "This is a wonderful inspirational book that will show you that you too can overcome challenges in your life. The authors share with you great advice on how to stay positive and find a way back to peace and happiness. I highly recommend this book." ~ Arielle Ford - Author of The Soulmate Secret "Unwavering Strength is true to its word: it will give you just that. This moving book is full of stories that will uplift you, support you, guide you and comfort you. It is a book long overdue about the possibilities of choice and perspective in dealing with cancer, and yet it applies to all overwhelming challenges. Read it. It will give you power." ~ Dee Wallace - Healer, Author and Actress "Simply inspiring. Couldn't put it down. I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude by the time I finished this book. It gave me new keys to deal with life's challenges." ~ Terry Moore - Actress/Author "Excellent book on reminding you that you are strong enough to get through the rough times and that no matter where you are in life, help comes in mysterious ways. Judy O'Beirn is amazing and the book is one to keep close to you for years." ~ Mary Morrissey - International Speaker, Best-Selling Author, CEO Consultant, Visionary, Empowerment Specialist "This is a beautiful compilation of stories from start to finish. Definitely worth sharing with everyone you know!" ~ Peggy McColl - New York Times Best-Selling Author aka "The Best Seller Maker" This book includes 32 amazing co-authors Alice Theriault, Annie Spalding, Anya Sophia Mann, Bill King, Brian Bogardus, Brian Glidden, Cammie Ritchie, Corinne L. Casazza, Daniel Parmegianni, Deb Scott, Emmanuel Dagher, Evelyn Brooks, Faith Poe, Irit Oz, Jeanne Henning, Jennifer Colford, John Burgos, Judy O'Beirn, Kellie Bishop, Lisa Barnett, Mark Lewis, Rebecca Field, Robert McDowell, Ron McElroy, Sandy Alemian, Sharon Campbell-Rayment, Silke Nied, Dr. Terry A. Gordon, Tina Dietz, Tracy Friesen, Wendy Knight Agard, Willie Tart
Teach your children the power of Kindness, one of the most important skills a child can learn. Are you one of 90 percent of American parents, saying that one of their top priorities for their kids is to be caring? This makes sense: Kindness and concern for others are held as moral virtues in nearly every society and every major religion. The best book for raising kind children. This charming story with gentle rhymes and colorful illustrations will explain to your child that it is okay to make a mistake and say I'm sorry. Lucas will teach your child good manners and positive behaviour at home, at school, in the store, and on the playground. Kids learn best by example. With the perfect examples, this book offers, your child will have more understanding for others, accept differences, and show more empathy. Throughout the story, little Lucas will learn what kindness means and understand what it is like to be kind, sensitive, caring, and generous. Practice Random Acts of Kindness. Also included are Acts of Kindness Ideas to promote empathy and kindness. Kindness is something you can quickly learn: when you give and ask for nothing in return. Helping others is the least you can do. If you are kind, kindness will come back to you. "Kindness is my Superpower" is intended for children of all ages. We warmly recommend it to parents, teachers, and anyone who works with children.
