Resources

Children's Books

Self-Calming Cards

Self-calming Cards

Many children need more tools to deal with their feelings. The Self-Calming Cards by Elizabeth Crary and Mits Katayama, offer two dozen self-calming strategies. Each illustrated card describes how you can soothe yourself with a different method—physical, auditory/verbal, visual, creative, self-nurturing and humor.Another 12 cards provide step-by-step instructions for games and activities to use with the calming cards.

Children's Problem Solving books

I Want to Play

Children need skills to resolve their problems constructively. Each book models a problem-solving process and several possible alternatives.

I Want It, I Can't Wait, I Want to Play, My Name Is Not Dummy, I'm Lost, and Mommy, Don't Go. Seattle: Parenting Press, 1982-86.

We've been reading your books with my daughter, Kira, 3 1/2, for about two years. She initiated the following conversation while we were reading Mommy Don't Go this evening:

"We have a lot of her books."
"Do you like them?"
"Yes. Tell her with your computer."

Feelings for Little Children board books (with Shari Steelsmith)

When You're Silly and
You Know It

Each book uses a childhood song to introduce several ways to deal with feelings.

When You're HAPPY and You Know It, When You're MAD …, When You're SHY … , and When You're SILLY … Seattle: Parenting Press, 1996.

Dealing with Feelings books

I'm Mad

Children are entitled to their feelings, even when their behavior needs to be corrected. These books acknowledge feelings and offer children safe and creative ways to express them.

I'm Mad, I'm Frustrated, I'm Proud, I'm Furious, I'm Scared, and I'm Excited. Seattle: Parenting Press, 1992-94.

Kids Can Choose books

Heidi's Irresistible Hat,
Willy's Noisy Sister, and
Amy's Disappearing Pickle

When children go to school, they often need more strategies to deal with others. These books model a process for solving problems and offer a variety of ways children can respond.

Heidi's Irresistible Hat, Willy's Noisy Sister, and Amy's Disappearing Pickle. Seattle: Parenting Press, 2001.

My daughter really enjoys your books and they help her deal with life. For instance, on the way home from a preschool this morning, she said to me from the back seat of the car, "You know Megan in I Want It?"

"Yes," I replied.
"Can we read it as the book [to read] before my nap?"

I took that to mean something occurred at preschool that she wanted to work through, either emotionally or cognitively, that is, in the latter case to be reminded of her options for the next time she encounters a similar situation.

Feeling Elf Cards & Games

Feeling Elf Cards
& Games

Feeling Elf cards make teaching about feelings fun. The whimsical elves introduce 20 emotions such as pride, anger, excitement and disappointment to help children learn how to identify and express their feelings. You can use the cards to play Old Maid, Go Fish — or one of several special emotions games created by Crary. Each game is described on its own reference card.