Rating: 
(5 reviews)
Author: Dawn Huebner
Publisher: Magination Press
Product Description
“Guides children and their parents through cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat negative thinking. Lively metaphors and illustrations help kids see life’s hurdles in a new way, while drawing and writing activities help them master skills to get over those hurdles. And step-by-step instructions point the way toward becoming happier, more positive kids. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to work toward change.”
5 Comments
This book tackles an unusual and important topic for children- negativity. In a fun and very child-friendly format, the author uses metaphors, stories, and examples to explain to children what negativity is and how they can transform their negative thinking into more positive thinking. The learning is reinforced by fun activities and art experiences. As a mother and social worker, I strongly recommend this book to other parents, social workers, and guidance counselors.
I wanted this workbook to engage my therapy clients better than it did. They didn’t throw the book at me, but it only held their interest for about10 minutes and most do not care too much to color or draw where the workbook calls for it. I agree with them, in that the interactive part of the book (the you-fill-it in part) is not compelling. HOWEVER, the subject matter is not really covered in any other therapeutic workbook that I have seen/reviewed/owned. The main topic is of negativity vs. positivity in a child’s daily life. Great for kids with depression, anger problems, anxiety disorders, and …the average kids!
I am a child clinical psychologist who regularly recommends books to parents to help provide reassuring information and practical tips to assist their children between sessions. My 12 year-old also loved this book and found a lot of good suggestions. Not only is the book easy to read and understand, it provides “homework” activities which allow a personalized approach and encourage active involvement by the child in overcoming a natural tendency toward negativity. I highly recommend this book!
I wasn’t so sure about this book at first, the chapters at the beginning were a bit slow but WOW, by chapter 3 the concepts really start to hit home for the kids I work with in therapy. I appreciate another CBT resource that I will use again and again to help my clients.
This “What to Do” series was very useful to me as a parent. It explains complex psychological ideas at a child’s level without condescending to them and then attempts to help them learn how deal with those strong emotions.
I purchased this book and What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (What to Do Guides for Kids) after my 5-year old was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. It has helped her and her then 8-year old brother work through the many adjustments in our family after the diagnosis. We went through the book together and then talked about the activities that might help them deal with how they felt. The simple, clear explanations were a great starting point for discussion. Not everything “worked” nor did we focus on “solving” these emotions–rather we used the books to help the kids see that they are not alone and that there are things they can do when they feel trapped by strong emotions.
My daughter is now almost 7 and still takes the Grumbling book out to read it over. She knows she does have things to complain about in her life, but also that she doesn’t want them to take over her life. I have also just purchased What to Do When Your Temper Flares: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Problems With Anger (What to Do Guides for Kids)which she is anxious to read! How many books on these tough topics can you say THAT about?
If you have intense, thoughtful, strong-willed kids, this approach to the perpetual problems of grumbling, worrying and (I hope) anger management will help. And even if they won’t read it, it will help you know how to talk about those feelings.
P.S. Another good book is Who Moved My Cheese? For Kids I know it sounds corny but change is a big stressor for my kids so that book helped address these emotions too.