Psychology, emotions, and wellness

Andrus, Aubre  Happiness Hacks: How to Find Energy & Inspiration
Gr. 4–6, middle school     48 pp.     Capstone

Andrus, Aubre  Me Time: How to Manage a Busy Life
Gr. 4–6, middle school     48 pp.      Capstone

Andrus, Aubre Stress Less: How to Achieve Inner Calm & Relaxation
Gr. 4–6, middle school     48 pp.     Capstone

Illustrated by Veronica Collignon. Savvy: Stress-Busting Survival Guides series. With Karen Bluth. Emphasizing mindfulness and directed at tweens and adolescents, these upbeat self-help books include meditations, physical exercises, crafts (e.g., an anti-stress ball), recipes (a single-serve “Treat Yourself” cupcake), suggested music, organizational tips, and more, all illustrated with photos and pastel-colored art. Appropriately, each volume ends with lists of symptoms requiring professional help, referral organizations, and suggestions for supportive adults. Reading list.
Subjects: Psychology; Meditation; Stress (Psychology); Handicrafts; Mood (Psychology); Emotions—Worry; Cookery; Self-actualization; Adolescence; Self-confidence; Emotions—Happiness; Self-reliance

Clark, Rosalyn  Feeling Angry
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     Lerner

Clark, Rosalyn  Feeling Happy
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     Lerner

Clark, Rosalyn  Feeling Sad
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     Lerner

Clark, Rosalyn  Feeling Scared
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     Lerner

Bumba Books: Feelings Matter series. In each unusually practical guide, easy-reader text introduces an emotion, explores situations that may cause the emotion to arise, highlights physical or behavioral responses the emotion may elicit, and suggests ways to handle the feeling. Relevant full-page stock photos featuring a diverse cast of children brighten every spread. Questions sprinkled throughout encourage readers to make personal connections. Reading list. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Psychology; Emotions—Fear; Emotions—Anger; Emotions—Happiness; Emotions—Sadness

Murray, Julie  Fairness
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     ABDO Kids

Murray, Julie  Forgiveness
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     ABDO Kids

Murray, Julie  Kindness
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     ABDO Kids

Murray, Julie  Respect
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     ABDO Kids

Murray, Julie  Responsibility
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     ABDO Kids

Murray, Julie  Trust
Gr. K–3     24 pp.     ABDO Kids

Character Education series. With just two or three simple sentences per spread, each volume provides a series of examples to illuminate an abstract character-building concept: “Lola raises her hand. Her teacher trusts her to follow the rules.” Some examples seem overly simplistic, but these are adequate conversation-openers about complex topics. Bright, relevant stock photos featuring a diverse cast of children accompany the texts. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Psychology; Trust (Psychology); Behavior—Forgiveness; Behavior—Kindness; Behavior—Respectfulness; Behavior—Responsibility

Nuchi, Adah  Bunk 9’s Guide to Growing Up: Secrets, Tips, and Expert Advice on the Good, the Bad & the Awkward
Gr. 4–6, middle school     190 pp.     Workman

Illustrated by Meg Hunt. Nine fictional sixteen-year-old girls (all good friends) at camp share personal questions, experiences, health tips, and insecurities as their bodies, relationships, and emotions change. They gather their discoveries in “The Book,” intended to be passed along to next summer’s twelve-year-old campers. Anecdotes, notes, diagrams, doodles, and other marginalia accompany the informal text, which emphasizes self-acceptance and kindness.
Subjects: Life Skills; Camps and camping; Adolescence; Seasons—Summer; Friendship

Olson, Elsie  Dreams and What They Mean: Facts, Trivia, and Quizzes
Gr. 4–6, middle school     32 pp.     Lerner

Olson, Elsie  Memory Fun: Facts, Trivia, and Quizzes
Gr. 4–6, middle school     32 pp.     Lerner

Potts, Francesca  What’s Your Personality?: Facts, Trivia, and Quizzes
Gr. 4–6, middle school     32 pp.     Lerner

Mind Games series. These informative volumes about personality, dreams, and memory each begin with a chapter on previous beliefs and theories, followed by five or six chapters outlining current knowledge on the topic. Frequent photographs and line drawings accompany the plentiful quizzes and entertaining activities throughout, which let kids challenge themselves. A concluding activity to try with friends and family is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Psychology; Human body—Brain; Dreams and dreaming; Memory

From the May 2018 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.