Katana Gets A Family
Katana longs for a family-people she can love who will love her back and teach her new and interesting things. Unfortunately, the first family to take Katana home brings her back to the shelter, where she feels lonely and abandoned. Then, Katana meets Ashley and Jacky! They teach Katana many lessons, and Katana reciprocates, teaching them many lessons in return.
REVIEWS
"Leap into the loving world of Katana Gets a Family, where tails wag and hearts connect. Children and parents alike will discover the timeless values of compassion, caring, patience and acceptance. A charming read that's sure to become a bedtime favorite!"
"Katana Gets a Family is a creative way to share the story of a family's unconditional love. Children questioning whether they are accepted, or who are yearning for unconditional love, can relate to Katana and feel connected to her. It is truly a masterpiece with a great social-emotional lesson."
"It is challenging to teach children about acceptance and mistakes. Katana Gets a Family is a gentle and loving story that serves as the perfect tool to explore these important social-emotional topics with children in school and home alike."
–Abby Pete, author of the Harvey the Hippo series
–Jennifer Letvinchuk, MSEdL., educator and mom
–Verónica Alvarado-Frías, M.Ed., educator, mom, and early intervention specialist
Grateful to be Grace
Grace complains about "having to" clean her room, wash her hands and do her chores. She doesn't realize that, by learning to think differently, she can change her perspective from negative to positive. In this story, Grace discovers that her attitude has the power to determine her thoughts and emotions. Can Grace go from feeling burdened to being grateful?
"At any age, it is hard to feel that you have little or no choice in your day-to-day life. Grace realizes that if she can look at expectations in a different way, both her day and mood improves. This book is a perfect choice to share with children in summer camp, school, in therapy and at home."
–Theresa Fraser, CYC-P, CPT-S, MA, RP, RCT, CT, trauma, loss and attachment clinical specialist
"Grateful to be Grace is a sweet story about making choices. Delivered in rhyme with colorful pictures, the book helps children consider their options and consequences when choosing between immediate gratification and longer-term gains. When children understand the reasoning behind a parental request, they are more willing to show compliance. This story helps children take responsibility for the decisions they make--a valuable lesson they will utilize throughout life. A bonus is the positive role models represented in a blended family and the representation of racially diverse characters."
–Laurie Zelinger, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S, Board Certified Psychologist, author of Please Explain "Anxiety" to Me!
"Grateful to Be Grace is not another book that tells kids to behave. It shows that when Grace makes the choice to be thankful, her perspective and attitude change. I love how Grace's parents model encouragement rather than focusing on poor behavior. It's a feel-good book. Children are empowered to learn the ways they can experience gratitude."
–Jill Osborne, EdS, LPC, CPCS, RPTS, author of Sam Feels Better Now!
REVIEWS
Dos Idiomas, One Me
Dos Idiomas, One Me is the story of a young girl who feels torn between two languages. At home, she speaks Spanish, at school, she speaks English, and she finds herself resenting the fact that she has to translate her thoughts and feelings. Then, she realizes that being bilingual is a gift. She begins to have fun navigating the space of inclusivity and starts to relish the role of teacher and translator.
By equally incorporating Spanish and English, Dos Idiomas, One Me promotes biliteracy. As young readers see their experiences reflected in the story of another dual-language speaker, they can feel encouraged to embrace all aspects of themselves.
"A charming book depicting bicultural identity. Maggy Williams takes the reader into the struggle and joy a child experiences while not feeling ni de aquí, ni de allá, and yet from both sides."
–Anel Duarte, artist and poet
"Esta pequeña historia guarda un gran tesoro. Para todos los niños que tienen la gran oportunidad y capacidad de aprender dos o más idiomas a la vez, de una forma natural. Que puedan apreciar y sentir la fortuna de ser completamente bilingües desde una edad temprana. Una ventaja con la que contarán el resto de sus vidas y que podrá ser de gran ayuda para ellos mismos y muchos otros a su alrededor. Un lindo recurso para todos los padres que quieren enseñar a sus hijos la riqueza de formar parte en varias culturas a la vez."
"Dos Idiomas, One Me illustriously guides young readers and their grownups towards understanding that differences make us unique and special. Beautifully written!"
–AnnaMarie Jones, co-creator of The Demystifying Diversity Podcast
–Irma Erichsen, author and artist
REVIEWS
I'm mixed!
As a biracial child, Maggy Williams had three options. She could identify as black, white, or mixed. She chose to embrace her multiracial heritage because she was taught that she could. Her hope is that this book will help children to realize that it is possible to integrate their multiple racial identities.
Dear Reader,
Whether you are black or brown or white or tan, you are beautiful and you deserve to be loved.
As for me, I’ve always had skin the color of honey. I got it because my mom is white and my dad is black. I didn’t know my dad. My mom raised me all by herself. And I was really lucky because she taught me that I wasn’t just black or just white. I was both.
I used to love to read. From the minute I learned how to do it, I’d stay up late, under the covers, with my secret flashlight, reading so late that the next day I’d fall asleep in my cereal. I read and read and read. And I found books with white main characters, or black, or Hispanic, or Asian, but none about kids who were lucky enough to be mixed—like me.
So I made a promise to my little girl self that, when I grew up, I would write a book that helped kids like me celebrate all sides of themselves. This is that book.
Love,
Maggy Williams
“Maggy Williams’ text comes straight from the heart, helping us all say goodbye to the days when a child had to own only one identity. This book is a loving message to all children, regardless of ethnicity. Love who you are, be who you are meant to be and find the joy in being you!”
–Ellen E. Sadler, children’s book author and award-winning educator
“I’m Mixed is a simple story which approaches how we describe ourselves from an early age, from the perspective of a young girl who has a black father and a white mother. It encourages children to embrace their appearance without labeling themselves as one race or another. In an increasingly diverse world, acceptance, inclusion and self-awareness are imperative, and Maggy Williams gives us a great starting point for conversation.”
“At a time when so many feel excluded and less-than, I’m Mixed, by Maggy Williams, reminds us that everyone is to be appreciated and celebrated for who and what they are.”
–Cyrus Webb, media personality, author, and speaker
–Lori Siesto, MME-MT, MT-BC, author, educator and music therapist
REVIEWS
Celia and the Glue Man
Life without cookies, cake and pizza is no fun, so Celia decides to break the rules - just this once. She eats a cupcake. What follows is what you might expect. Celia gets sick. Really sick. So sick she decides to give up gluten for good. But she's not happy about it. Then, she meets someone who changes her perspective.
Dear Reader,
When I first learned that I had Celiac disease, I was sad and angry and had a hard time accepting I couldn’t eat gluten any more. For a while, I ate it anyway – and got really sick. Then, I realized I had a choice. I could focus on what I couldn’t have, or on the love and support of the people around me.
I made a promise to myself that I would write a book that helped other people to know that they don’t have to feel alone because of their food sensitivities. So, I’m hoping you will stay away from gluten, or any other food that makes you feel bad, and move toward love instead.
Your Friend,
Maggy Williams
"I love this book! What a beautiful message to send to young people about how to turn circumstances around. It's all about the food of love and friendship that is the most sustainable, energetically charged nourishment, not only for young people but for our shared humanity. There should be an open space on all book shelves to welcome this heartwarming story."
–Laura Parisi, Food Shaman, Reiki Master, Founder of Rooted Angel Cooking School
"A book that is both fun (and rhyming!) and important for kids to understand how celiac disease works and what it means for kids at school. It will appeal to those who have the disease, as a comfort and explanation, and to their friends who may not understand why they can't share some foods."
–Jacqui Lipton, Author and Literary Consultant, Authography LLC
"I cannot say enough good things about this book. I LOVE it! The biggest challenge to following any special diet is the emotional component, rather than a lack of knowledge. Maggy finds a creative way to guide kids who are struggling with dietary restrictions to reach a place of acceptance. I also appreciated the very useful visual of the glue monster, especially since that's essentially what gluten is!"
–Ashley E. Daub, Pediatric Dietitian, MS, RD, LD