"My stomach feels like it's tied up in a knot.
My knees lock up, and my face feels hot.
You know what I mean?
I'm Wilma Jean,
The Worry Machine."

Anxiety is a subjective sense of worry, apprehension, and/or fear. It is considered to be the number one health problem in America. Although quite common, anxiety disorders in children are often misdiagnosed and overlooked. Everyone feels fear, worry and apprehension from time to time, but when these feelings prevent a person from doing what he/she wants and/or needs to do, anxiety becomes a disability.

This fun and humorous book addresses the problem of anxiety in a way that relates to children of all ages. It offers creative strategies for parents and teachers to use that can lessen the severity of anxiety. The goal of the book is to give children the tools needed to feel more in control of their anxiety. For those worries that are not in anyone's control (i.e. the weather) a worry hat is introduced. A fun read for Wilmas of all ages!

Includes a note to parents and educators with tips on dealing with an anxious child.

Grief is like a snowflake. Each snowflake is different and everyone shows grief differently.

After the death of his father, Little Tree begins to learn how to cope with his feelings and start the healing process. With the help and support of his family and friends, Little Tree learns to cope by discovering what is really important in life, and realizing his father's memory will carry on. Best-selling author, Julia Cook, and a lovable cast of trees, offers a warm approach to the difficult subject of death and dying.

Teach Kids About Growth Mindset and Trying Something New

What happens when one little raindrop finds the courage to let go?

Way up in the sky, Hopp the raindrop is scared of change. Hopp loves playing with his friends, riding on clouds, and being happy with his safe, predictable life. But he soon learns that staying where he is limits the impact he can have on those around him.

"You have so many gifts to share with the world,
so many dreams to live.
Take a chance little man, let go of this cloud.
Discover the ways you can give."

Don't Be Afraid to Drop is a book for anyone who is at a transitional point in their life. From the kindergartener heading to school, to an adult nearing retirement, and everyone in between, this creative analogy provides all who read it with a positive perspective on change, taking risks, and giving back. There's so much good that can happen when we step beyond our comfort zones and try something new!

Help Children Deal with Depression

I'm a blueloon. I'm supposed to be a regular balloon,

but I'm just not having fun like the others.

I'm kinda dull, and I'm kinda flat.

My string is tied up in knots.

I have a case of the blues...that's why I'm a blueloon.

I've felt like this for weeks!

Meet Blueloon a sad little balloon who is suffering from depression. With help from the wise rock, Blueloon learns what he can do to "bounce back" to being the way he used to be bright, round, and full with a very straight string!

Although clinical depression is often thought of as an adult disease, it can affect children, as well. Unfortunately, children may not have the maturity to understand what is happening to them, or they may feel powerless to change their situation, so they don't speak up about what they are going through. It is up to adults to be on the lookout for signs of trouble, and recognize when a child needs help.

In I'm Stretched!, Julia Cook, award-winning children's book author and parenting expert, shows children just how overwhelming and powerful stress can be as it piles on the pressure and tries to steal our joy.

I'm stretched! I have so much stuff to do.
Gotta be here...Gotta do that...Where did I put my shoe?

I feel like a rubber band that's stretched and about to break.
I have places to go and things to do and a great big project to make!

Stress is a part of life, and in our fast-paced society, children often feel an unbelievable amount of pressure to balance family and friends, school and homework, and extracurricular activities. All of their responsibilities and expectations can make them feel stretched beyond their limits. I'm Stretched! is a captivating story that speaks to children and adults alike, giving them tactical tools to manage their stress in a healthy and helpful way so they can face the pressures of life and find joy in being who they were meant to be.

Bully B.E.A.N.S. teaches children how to speak up when it comes to bullying.

Bullying continues to be an ongoing problem for children everywhere. Children from every race, culture, and socioeconomic group are susceptible to bullies. Most children are unprepared for how to handle it when bullying happens to them or someone they know. Bully B.E.A.N.S helps children identify bullying, and offers clear and impactful action strategies for both targets and bystanders.

Maxine liked to pick on kids... especially Winston. Winston is the smartest kid in our whole school. Maxine made him do all of her homework and give her all of his lunch money. Maxine liked to make Winston cry... then she'd call him a crybaby.

"If you don't do exactly what I tell you to, I'll knock you into next week!"

Nobody liked the way Maxine treated Winston, but we were too afraid to do anything about it.

Written by bestselling author Julia Cook, Bully B.E.A.N.S. reminds children of the power of their voice and how to use it effectively when standing up against bullying.

Bullies Everywhere Are Now Stopped!

Learning doesn't come easy for many children. They struggle with schoolwork, have trouble focusing, and can't make sense of instructions. Oftentimes, these challenges can cause children to internalize their struggles and question their abilities. In My Fantabulous Brain, Julia Cook helps children understand that everyone needs help sometimes, and there are people who can give us the tools we need to make our brains stronger!

Wade doesn't understand why things like math and spelling seem so easy for other kids but so hard for him. His brain doesn't seem to work right, and he can't focus with all the stuff going on in his head. He tries so hard, but feels like he stinks at everything!

Just when he is about to give up, Wade's Fantabulous Brain comes to the rescue. By using tools in his "Brain Tool Box," Wade learns how to give his brain a tune up, making it stronger and more efficient. He also visits a Brain Trainer, a special brain mechanic, who teaches him how to work smarter not harder.

With a little time and a lot of hard work, Wade is amazed what he can accomplish when he and his Fantabulous Brain work together!

HOPE is our children's window for a better tomorrow. In terms of resilience and well-being, hope is a critically important predictor of success. This creative story from the best-selling author of My Mouth is a Volcano!, and Bubble Gum Brain, reminds children that dark clouds can be temporary and asking for help is always okay. We all have times when we need to borrow a little hope from someone else.

When your clouds get too dark,
and too heavy to push away,
Reach out and ask, "Can I borrow some light?"
"I'm having a really bad day."

It's always okay to admit to yourself,
"I just can't do it today.
Everyone needs somebody sometimes,
to help them find their way."

Sometimes the dark clouds overhead seem too heavy and you feel like giving up. Little candle knows all about this. Bad grades, blasted on social media, worried about making the team, and wondering who her real friends are - so many hard things to deal with! All she can see is darkness. But her story begins to change when someone notices she needs a boost of hope. As little candle is reminded she has purpose and her own unique gifts, and that she isn't the only one with dark clouds, her dim light begins to shine brighter.

This hopeful story emphasizes for children (and adults) the many different ways to ask for help, and their ability to be a hope builder for others, too.

From the bestselling author of Bubble Gum Brain and My Mouth is a Volcano!, comes a hilarious story about learning to be present wherever we are...and what can happen when we're not.

These are my feet and this is me.
Sometimes I'm not where I'm supposed to be.

My brain gets crowded. There's so much going on.
I do three things at once, and get two of them wrong!

"Be where your feet are," I hear people say.
"Do one thing at a time. It's a much better way."

Each day, there are so many things to think about. Getting ready for school, turning in homework, taking a math test, band solo tryouts, soccer practice...and it's a long way from your head to your feet.

Be Where Your Feet Are! reinforces the concepts of mindfulness and being present in a way children will remember, while showing how good life can be when we learn to appreciate the world and people around us.

Kindergarten represents a big jump into the unknown that, while exciting, can also cause nervous anticipation for everyone involved. The good news is that it doesn't have to be scary!

Today's complex, technology-driven world is changing rapidly. As it does, what our children need to know when they enter kindergarten is changing as well, requiring a new and improved set of school-readiness skills called "QI Skills" (pronounced key) that will give them the foundation and confidence to succeed. In this fun and engaging story, bestselling authors Julia Cook and Laura A. Jana bring to life for children, parents and educators the important connection that exists between everyday behaviors and the development of valuable, 21st century life-skills during early childhood. This book includes creative, practical tips to help readers implement these skills at home and in the classroom.

Follow Roo as he figures out how to use and apply his amazing QI Skills: ME, WE, WHY, WILL, WIGGLE, WOBBLE and WHAT IF!

I love to move around and explore, so my favorite skill is WIGGLE.
I can jump into things, and reach for the stars, and bend and stretch and jiggle!

With a backpack full of "super cool" skills and a head full of questions, Roo is excited to jump into kindergarten, and your children will be too!

A Book About Good Sportmanship.

"But I HATE losing! GEEEEZE!"

Wendell HAS to win at everything, and if he doesn't, he whines about it. When Wendell has one of those days where nothing seems to go his way, his mom helps him understand that everything in life doesn't have to be a contest and losing does not make you a loser. In fact, it can make you stronger! She also points out that although it feels great to celebrate a win, winning isn't everything, and whining about things just makes it worse.

"Whiners aren't winners, and winners never whine. You can't win at everything all of the time!"

This creative story addresses two very challenging topics: winning and whining.

A storm is brewing... Whenever Levi doesn't like the truth, he kinda, sorta makes up other stuff to say. One day his mother explains to him that telling lies will damage the trust of his friends and make him very sad.

Whenever you tell a lie, your inside sun goes away.
Then a lying cloud forms, and glooms up your day.
Each time you tell a lie, another cloud starts to form,
and before you can stop it from happening, your insides start to storm.

This book is a great resource to help children understand not only the consequences of telling a lie, but also how one lie can often lead to telling several more. It will help parents and teachers understand that lying can be a normal and sometimes healthy response for a child and offers tools to help guide children toward truthfulness.