As I talk with people about their nicknames, I see all sorts of emotions on their faces, in their eyes and surging through their veins, so I thought, why not make that convo into an ice breaker.
Click {here} for the template to print on Avery 5395 white labels.
No nickname? No worries. Ask participants if they were to have a nickname or could choose any name other than their given name to be called for a day, what would it be? If you try it, do let me know how it goes.
And now, on to today's PPBF pick.
Title: Kit and the Missing Notebook
Authors: Chris and Lindsey Wheeler
Illustrator: Carmen Saldaña
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Birth date: April 9, 2024
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Themes: anxiety, friendship, mindfulness
Brief synopsis: Little Kit tends to be a bundle of nerves, especially when she misplaces her little notebook. Could a bowl of savory soup help soothe her? Kit's new neighbor, Mrs. G., thinks it's worth a try.
Opening page: Kit felt anxious the morning her family arrived on Cozy Lane.
Resources: Watch a trailer on YouTube {here}.
Get more info on the book's Amazon page {here}.
Tips for helping your child with social anxiety {here}.
Why I like this book: This is one of those treasures that make me want to have a class (or just a child) to read it to; would someone actually come out of retirement because of a book? 😉 Ok, well, that's not realistic, but this is that sort of story with so many layers. It's actually a school counselor's dream!
Kit is moving, so there's that. She's feeling anxious about her new place and not being able to find her notebook, which we find out helps her remember important stuff, adds fuel to that fire. There are some new friends woven in during an adorable backyard trampoline scene, so I could easily add in a discussion about how to make new friends. Then that pesky notebook goes missing again, and Kit's on the verge of a panic attack, when in steps Kit's new neighbor, Mrs. G. (a happy little accident, for sure, but a beautiful parallel to the role of a school counselor!), inquiring as to whether Kit might want some soup.
Soup? Is she kidding right now? No, Kit doesn't want some soup; she wants to find her notebook! But, Mrs. G. uses her gift of distraction to engage the worrier in some sneaky mindful warfare against her anxious feelings:
Go get some carrots.
Squeeze this tomato.
Listen to the rice sizzle.
Brilliant! She uses all of the senses to help reduce Kit's anxiety and bring her into the moment by making some magic soup. Enter the school counselor; I can see it now. I've got on a chef's hat and I'm carrying a huge pot with a spoon, maybe some veggies, and a copy of this book.
We talk about the role of the school counselor: A friend, an active listener, someone to help you manage big, uncomfortable feelings, someone who understands, someone who cares, someone who ... ask your students to keep the soup metaphor going ... what are all of the strategies Mrs. G. used to involve her and calm her anxious feelings? Well, your school counselor can do all of that ... and more! No feeling too strong or uncomfortable, no emotion too big or small.
Download our Emotion Pops and encourage your emotion detectives
to figure out which ones they're pretty skilled at navigating and
which ones they still need strategies to muddle through.
No school counselor? No worries. It could also be any trusted adult, a coach, a family member, a faith leader. Try the guiding question: Who helps you make your soup at home? At school? On the soccer field? At a Scouts meeting? When you're feeling angry? Anxious? Afraid?
Check out this gem, then enjoy today's other PPBF picks at Susanna Hill's blog.
I'm going to use the bonus recipe in the back
of the book to make some savory soup.
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