Be Mindful of Monsters: A Book for Helping Children Accept Their Emotions

Meet Ezzy, an adventurous child dealing with emotions that have begun to feel like monsters. Can Ezzy use mindfulness to make peace with those feelings? Find out in "Be Mindful of Monsters," a brand new early reader by registered play therapist Lauren Stockly. "Be Mindful of Monsters" follows Ezzy on an important journey toward accepting uncomfortable emotions. Written to help children understand and cope with powerful feelings, the book pairs therapeutic purpose with a compelling story and beautiful illustrations that demonstrate how mindfulness can be an essential tool for emotional acceptance. With universal themes, diverse characters and a gender-neutral protagonist, "Be Mindful of Monsters" can resonate with any child, regardless of their specific circumstances. Ezzy's story is designed to meet a wide range of needs, from reading for fun to targeted therapy, and is crafted to spark dialogue between children and their caregivers. While the importance of accepting uncomfortable emotions rather than pushing them away can be very challenging for kids, "Be Mindful of Monsters" shows rather than tells, providing readers with vivid metaphors of how emotions work in the brain. In addition to its therapeutic narrative, "Be Mindful of Monsters," includes beautiful illustrations by celebrated artist Ellen Surrey, the creator of several books whose work has also been featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Wall Street Journal. The story's visual elements are influenced by the drawings of real kids. Be sure to check out "Mindful Monsters," an accompanying workbook full of fun and unique interventions that are designed to bring home the lessons of the book. Both books are sure to be welcome additions to any child or therapist's library.