This great new book The Awfulizer, written by Kristin Maher and illustrated by Robert Dunn, is an Social Emotional Learning (SEL) must have!
The story of James and his encounter with the Awfulizer embodies the the core SEL competenices of self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness. When James begins to feel badly about mistakes he's made, the Awfulizer appears and constantly reminds him of all the other things he has done wrong and tells him he is a bad kid.
As James begins to lose his self-confidence, the Awfulizer grows and grows. James withdraws worried he will say or do the wrong thing. The Awfulizer has convinced James he is a bad person and that he should feel shame in making mistakes. When James's parents suspect something is wrong, it is the encouragement of his Mom and Dad that helps James talk about his feelings of insecurity and shame. His parents tell about their experiences with the Awfulizer and share an important truth, "I may make a mistake, but that doesn't mean I am a mistake." James learns when you talk with others about how you're feeling, whether friends, family, teacher, or your school counselor, it gives you a superpower; you become an Awesomizer!
This is a great story for students with self-defeating behaviors, perfectionism, and low self-esteem who have convinced themselves they are bad people because of their mistakes. I love the idea of empowering these students with the superpower to be "Awesomizers" by using positive self-talk and sharing their feelings with trusted adults. Kristin provides tips for helping children become "Awesomizers" at end of her book.
How to win your FREE copy of The Awfulizer.
I am giving away 2 copies of The Awfulizer. Many thanks to the National Center for Youth Issues for sponsoring this give-away.
There are 3 easy ways to enter the Rafflecopter contest below.
- Leave a comment in the section below this post about how you help children deal with shame.
- Like this post on the Exploring School Counseling Facebook page and leave a comment about how you help children deal with shame.
- Like this post on the School Counselor Store Facebook page and comment on how you help children deal with shame.
Winners will be selected using Rafflecopter and announced at the close of the give-away on my Exploring School Counseling Facebook page on Tuesday evening, August 27. Thank you for participating and good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I work with students to use a growth mindset and positive self talk. They learn that mistakes are opportunities to learning. This elongated feelings of shame and failure. Students embrace their mistakes.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You are one of my book winners! Please email me at jeanniemaddox87@gmail.com with your name and mailing address.
DeleteAs a K-5 school counselor, I often explore ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) with my older students who are struggling with negative thoughts patterns. They learn strategies to counteract those thoughts (that we refer to as "ANT spray"); to get rid of them. The Awfulizer sounds like it would address SO MANY ANT's; they would be able to learn from James about how HE uses ANT spray!
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