Hug? By Charlene Chua

—School Library Journal

This humorous picture book explores compassion and the importance of setting boundaries.

With spare text and wonderfully expressive illustrations, Charlene Chua has created a playful, funny picture book with an original premise.

The story shows how important hugs can be to our happiness — even the most unlikely of creatures sometimes need one! — but that doesn’t mean they’re always welcome.

Each spread also shows a hint of the animal that will appear next, building anticipation for what’s to come. There are character education connections here to compassion, tolerance and empathy, and a terrific opportunity for discussions about boundaries. (Publisher)

Ages 3-7

About the Author

Charlene Chua grew up in Singapore and immigrated to Canada as an adult. She has illustrated almost twenty picture books, but Hug? is the first one she wrote herself. She lives in Hamilton, Ontario, with her husband and their two cats.

Follow Your Breath: A First Book of Mindfulness by Scot Ritchie

—School Library Journal, starred review

Part of the popular Exploring Our Community series, here’s the perfect child-friendly introduction to mindfulness.

As with all the titles in the popular Exploring Our Community series, award-winning author Scot Ritchie tells an engaging story about five culturally diverse friends while also providing comprehensive factual information on each spread. Fun mindfulness activities follow the story. Studies have shown the many benefits of mindfulness for young children — from increased attention and self-control to decreased stress and disruptive behavior — and teachers are using it more and more in the classroom. By learning how to incorporate mindfulness into their lives, children gain lifelong coping skills they can use to stay physically and mentally healthy. All the facts in the book have been reviewed by a mindfulness expert. (Publisher)

Ages 4-7

About the Author

Scot Ritchie is an award-winning author-illustrator of over 50 books including Join the No-Plastic Challenge!, Follow That Map! and Look Where We Live!. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia

I Think, I Am! Teaching Kids the Power of Affirmations by Louise Hay and Kristina Tracy.

“Your thoughts create your life!” This is the message that Louise Hay has been teaching people throughout the world for more than 27 years. Now, children can learn and understand the powerful idea that they have control over their thoughts and words, and in turn, what happens in their life.

Within the pages of I Think, I Am! kids will find out the difference between negative thoughts and positive affirmations. Fun illustrations and simple text demonstrate how to make the change from negative thoughts and words to those that are positive. The happiness and confidence that come from this ability is something children will carry with them their entire lives! (Publisher)

Ages 4-8

Louise L. Hay, the author of the international bestseller You Can Heal Your Life, is a metaphysical lecturer and teacher with more than 40 million books sold worldwide. For more than 25 years, she has helped people throughout the world discover and implement the full potential of their own creative powers for personal growth and self-healing.

Kristina Tracy is a children’s book author who lives in San Diego, California, with her husband and two children. She is happy to be able to help teach children about the amazing power they have within themselves and how to use it. When she is not writing or being a mom, she is gardening, horseback riding, and taking care of her dogs, chickens, horses, and cat.

Going up! By Sherry J Lee and Charlene Chua

Playfully combining the excitement and anticipation of a party with children’s universal love of riding in elevators, Sherry J. Lee’s picture book story is ultimately about community and a sense of belonging. With characters from many cultural backgrounds, it showcases the everyday diversity that many urban children experience. Charlene Chua’s illustrations provide loads of funny details and visual narratives that aren’t in the text, making for a multilayered reading experience. The book’s tall, narrow trim size adds to the effect of the rising elevator.  (Publisher)

Ages 3-7

About the Authors

Sherry J. Lee has worked in the book industry for many years, first as a bookseller and then in publishing. Sherry lives in Toronto with her husband. Going Up! is her debut picture book.

Charlene Chua grew up in Singapore and immigrated to Canada as an adult. She has illustrated almost twenty picture books, but Hug? is the first one she wrote herself. She lives in Hamilton, Ontario, with her husband and their two cats.

I Am One by Susan Verde and Peter H Reynolds

Discover the power of activism in this companion to New York Times bestsellers I Am Human and I Am Love!

One seed to start a garden, one note to start a melody, one brick to start breaking down walls: Every movement and moment of change starts with purpose, with intention, with one. With me. With you.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling team behind I Am Yoga, I Am Peace, I Am Human, and I Am Love comes a powerful call to action, encouraging each reader to raise their voice, extend a hand, and take that one first step to start something beautiful and move toward a better world.

Includes a guided mediation and self-reflection activity. (Publisher)

Ages 4-8