PPBF: You're Here For A Reason

Happy Friday.

Yesterday I was invited to the Bay Area Alliance luncheon, to speak to them for a second time this year. As we stood in line for that yummy homemade chili, I thanked one of the Board Members for having me back, adding that I hoped I didn't repeat myself too much. She said, "Oh, even if you did, that'd be okay. It wasn't so much what you said to us, but how you made us feel." Such a sweet affirmation of my work and the perfect segue into today's PPBF pick, 

which has significance and belonging written all over it.

You matter.

You belong here.

You make a difference.

You are loved.

Title: You're Here for a Reason

Author & Illustrator: Nancy Tillman

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends New York

Publication Date: September 1, 2105

Suitable for: All ages

Genre: Motivational

Themes: belonging, kindness, stakeholders

Brief synopsis: Fly along with the child's red kite and see how one little kindness can ripple to show that we are all connected and what we do matters.

Opening page: 

You're here for a reason, you certainly are.

The world would be different without you, by far.

If not for your hands and your eyes and your feet,

the world, like a puzzle, would be incomplete. 

Resources: Take a peek at the book's intriguing illustrations {here}.

Read a review at Novel Novice {here}. 

Check out these Interactive Mindful Notebooks {here}.

Talk about strengths as superpowers with this reflection sheet.

Then display them in a life-sized cape for a super visual:

Why I like this book: First of all, this was a Kohl's Cares selection, so I purchased the hardcover for just $5.00. Who doesn't love a deal like that? Secondly, let's just say it's a counselor's dream because its theme is at the core of what we do when we coach our students as they try

to figure out who they are, 

to forge their own way,

to be kind to others, and 

to use their strengths to make a difference.

And finally, the book puts the all-important me to we spin on life,

to spark a conversation about stakeholders.

Who cares about our choices?

Whom do they involve?

Whom will they affect?

How might considering stakeholders change our choices?

Because nothing happens in isolation.

We are all connected.

Check out this beautiful book; I think you'll be delighted you did.

Then head to Susanna's blog for our final PPBF titles for 2015.