Book Review – I Can Handle it! by Laurie Wright

Blog Tour, Interview, Giveaway

Book Description

Your child will incorporate the idea of ‘I Can Handle It’ almost immediately after reading this book, even in our current uncertain times. After reading this book, they will have great ideas for how to ‘handle’ tough situations! When they are tired of having to stay home, they will think ‘I can handle it’! When they are missing their friends, they will think ‘I can handle it’! When they are feeling worried about the future, they will think ‘I can handle it’! Even if they aren’t saying the words out loud, this mantra will become a part of their self-talk. Over 300 5-star reviews say so! Positive self-talk is vital for improving and maintaining strong mental health which is exactly what the world needs right now. Help your child feel emotionally strong along with Sebastien, and provide a tool to help them get through these challenging times. And because parents have such a difficult and important job, this book includes updated free resources.

Buy the Book
Amazon
add to Goodreads

Details

This is the first book I’ve read in the Mindful Mantras series by Laurie Wright. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I must admit I didn’t set my thoughts high enough on the scale.

The illustrations keep the book light, though the text is far deeper. It reinforces positive, empowering thoughts, rather than negative, as immediate reactions to situations.

As I mentioned, this book was much more than I expected. While the content could have felt like preaching,  the addition of humor made it feel very child-friendly. Plus the illustrations brought the text to life. Here is an example:

I’m disappointed when I want a pet, but I’m not allowed to have one. I can handle this one I think.

I can pretend my sister is a pet!

I can make one.

I can play with my friend’s pet in exchange for him playing with my sister!

I can handle it.

Just imagine the illustrations Ana Santos was able to contribute to this text. Your little one is sure to be left smiling. But you will be able to reinforce the point that there are options.  All of the  fun examples in the book offer opportunities to stop and talk about various options children might consider.

Each concern is similar to the example above. Fun, but something easily relatable.  And the ending should please all children.

I Can Handle It immediately piqued my interest in the Mindful Mantras series. Whether adult or child, positive mantras need to take the place of the negative chatter that can worm its way into our thoughts.

If you have young children or are in a position to share with kids, this would be a good addition to any library.

My thanks to iRead Book Tours and the author for a review copy. I was free to post whatever my opinion was of the book.

Rating: (☆☆☆☆1/2 but I round up)

☆☆☆☆☆

Meet the Author and Interview

Children’s author and book marketing coach, Laurie Wright is a silly but smart, busy mom of three who laughs at her own jokes just a bit too much. The minivan is her sanctuary, and the only place she can sing out loud without being shushed. She’s known for her short term memory and extreme love of chips and dip. Usually on her best behavior, watch out when her filter wears off! Never without her laptop and a notebook. Trust her with your kids and your books, but not your coffee!

– Interview –

What genre do you write and why?

I write for kids around 4-5 yrs old, because they’re my people! And because I worry about them. My mission with my books is to help them handle their big emotions.

How long have you been writing?

My first book came out in 2016, but I actually wrote it about 10 years before that.  Prior to that I didn’t write anything except lesson plans.

In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper?

When I first get an idea for a book, I have to write in one of my many notebooks! I write and rewrite the old fashioned way, it just doesn’t work for me on a computer.

If you’re a mom writer, how do you balance your time?

When I first started, being a mom was my full-time job, and I had 3 kids under 8. I worked whenever I had a spare minute during the day, but  also felt guilty about it. Once my books were published and started selling well I was able to put my youngest in a dayhome a couple of days a week. My work days grew from there. 2 years ago my husband  was able to semi-retire, so now I work full time from home.

What made you write a book about a kid who thinks of silly ways to handle problems?

I taught kindergarten for ten years, and I consider 4 & 5 year olds my people! I wrote the book in ‘kid language’ so they’d really ‘get’ it. And kids don’t jump to the best way to solve a problem off the bat. (really, adults don’t always either!) Kids love thinking about outrageous things they could do… which naturally leads to the potential outcomes too. It’s a wonderful way for them to decide how they can handle their problems.

Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

I have three kids and nieces and nephews, in addition to all my students over the years. There is a load of inspiration all around me. One of my favorite stories from a nephew was about pressing the elevator buttons. I heard about how he’d had a meltdown after not getting to press the button and knew it had to go into a book!

There are many books out there about helping kids deal with worries and anxiety. What makes yours different?

It’s different because it actually works, and doesn’t come off as preachy. Kids enjoy the amusing illustrations and the outrageous possibilities of how they ‘could’ handle their problems. It all rings true for them, because they’ve had the same thoughts so often themselves. Frequently after reading it just once kids start to say the words, ‘I can handle it’, meaning they are realizing they CAN handle it!

connect with the author:  website  ~  twitter  ~  facebook ~ instagram

**Enter the Giveaway**

a Rafflecopter giveaway