Synopses & Reviews
A sense of optimism is a key ingredient to success in life. Guide young children to develop a positive outlook and discover how the choices they make can lead to feeling happy and capable. This friendly, encouraging book introduces preschool and primary-age children to ways of thinking and acting that will help them feel good about themselves and their lives, stay on course when things donandrsquo;t go their way, and contribute to other peopleandrsquo;s happiness, too.
Being the Best Me Series:
From the author of the popular Learning to Get Alongandreg; books comes a one-of-a-kind character-development series. Each of the first six books in the Being the Best Me! series helps children learn, understand, and develop attitudes and positive character traits that strengthen self-confidence and a sense of purpose. Each book focuses on a specific attitude or character traitandmdash;optimism, self-esteem, assertiveness, resilience, integrity, and forgiveness. Also included are discussion questions, games, activities, and additional information for adults. Filled with diversity, these social story books will be welcome in school, home, and childcare settings.
Review
One of the first volumes in the Being the Best Me series, this picture book features an upbeat, constructive boy as he goes through his day and explains his view of the world. As he says, “I can choose to be positive.” He is also grateful and thanks those, like the school bus driver, who care about him or help him. He enjoys doing new things, being active outdoors, and helping others. Even in the dentist’s chair, he chooses to be patient and to look for some good even when things seem bad. While all this virtue may sound a bit off-putting, the large-scale line-and-wash illustrations help the boy come across as a relatively normal kid. In four appended pages, Meiners offers adults tips to using the book and related activities for children. Another volume in the series, Feel Confident, will be published simultaneously. As Meiners’ previous series, Learning to Get Along, has shown, there’s a ready audience for simple picture books that communicate values to young children. — Booklist
Review
Praise for the series: andldquo;These books are simply written and will empower students to turn around bad days. Affirming statements . . . are accompanied by large, cheerful, illustrations that are perfect for prompting discussion about how the scene reflects the writing and whether similar examples can be found in studentsandrsquo; lives. The books conclude with numerous questions parents and teachers can ask to encourage additional reflection as well as worthwhile hands-on activities to further emphasize positive thinking and foster self-confidence.andrdquo;andmdash;School Library Journal
Review
Praise for the series: andldquo;More than ever before, children today need a foundation of strong emotional skills to guide their choices in life. These books focus on positive thinking and assertive, kind behavior that can bolster childrenandrsquo;s mental health, their relationships, and their performance in school. An exciting tool for empowering children to live their best lives.andrdquo; andmdash;Sean Covey, best-selling author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens and The 7 Habits of Happy Kids
Review
andldquo;One of the first volumes in the Being the Best Me! series, this picture book features an upbeat, constructive boy as he goes through his day and explains his view of the world . . . As Meinersandrsquo;s previous series, Learning to Get Along, has shown, thereandrsquo;s a ready audience for simple picture books that communicate values to young children.andrdquo;andmdash;Booklist
Review
andldquo;Easy reads with child-friendly illustrations and easy-to-understand examples of real-life situations.andrdquo;andmdash;Skipping Stones: A Multicultural Childrenand#39;s Magazine
About the Author
Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed., has her masterandrsquo;s degree in elementary education and gifted education. The author of the award-winning Learning to Get Along social skills series for young children and a former first-grade teacher, she has taught education classes at Utah State University and has supervised student teachers. Cheri and her husband, David, have six children and two grandchildren. She lives in Laurel, Maryland.
Elizabeth Allen is an artist and professional illustrator of childrenandrsquo;s picture books as well as a former songwriter and jazz musician. She has exhibited her art in galleries in the Midwest and on the East Coast. Elizabeth lives on a river running through a forest near St. Paul, Minnesota.