Big emotions for children are hard to deal with, especially when it comes to big changes in their lives. That transition from what they're used to into something new and unknown creates anxiety and stress, which can be amplified depending on how big that change is. In these moments, they need that extra care and support to help them understand what is occurring in their lives.

Ten Beautiful Things is a perfectly balanced book encompassing dark emotions and a simple yet effective way in handling it as Molly Beth Griffin takes readers on a journey of beauty in a time of darkness. Paired with Maribel Lechuga’s charming illustrations, readers are able to feel Lily’s emotions as they rise and fall throughout the car ride to her new home with Gram. The discovery of ten things that are beautiful helps Lily work through her emotions and adjust to her new life. By the end of the story, Lily is able to come to the realization that she has a place to belong alongside someone she loves.

Griffin’s narrative is both plainspoken and pitch-perfect. From close-ups of characters to rural landscapes with shifting light, colors, and weather, Lechuga’s handsome digital pictures illustrate the story expressively. An emotionally resonant picture book.—Booklist, starred review

Tips to help you and your child deal with stress from transitions:

• Give them time and space. If you’re able to prepare for the big change coming, be sure to give them time to process.
• Listen to your child. Help them label their emotions and work through them. Let them ask questions and answer them as simply as you can in a positive way.
• Read to your child. Find picture books related to the change and spend time with your child reading.
• Play with your child. Give kids a way to distract themselves and relieve their stress. Playing is good for both adults and kids to do together.
• Maintain your routines. Feeling stable is important during hard transitions. Try to keep to your routine as much as possible, like regular meal times and bedtimes.
• Take care of yourself. Be a positive role model by doing what you need to manage your own stress. Be sure to eat healthily, exercise, relax, or talk to someone as needed.
• Create visual aids. Do calendars or countdowns. Create a map. Visual aids help children understand when the transition is happening and how it’s happening.
• Keep positive. By focusing on the positives about the transition, it helps reassure your child and gives them a chance to see the change as a new experience.
• Do mindfulness and relaxation exercises. If the transition is hard, it’s important to find ways to handle that stress, whether through breathing exercises or guided imagery.
• Finally, try finding ten beautiful things. This mindfulness exercise is time spent together and the exploration of all the good around you.

If you have a copy of Ten Beautiful Things or plan on getting one, check out the activity guide to help children explore emotions and changes in their lives. There's also a deep dive into the book with Molly Beth Griffin in this video.

Lily breathed in the mud smell
and focused on just that.
It poured itself into some of the empty spaces in her.

—Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Beth Griffin, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga

About the Book:

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781580899369 
Price: $17.99 USD
Ages: 5-8
Page Count: 32
11 x 8.5

About the Creators:

Molly Beth Griffin is a graduate of Hamline University's MFA program in writing for children and young adults and a writing teacher at the Loft Literary Center in the Twin Cities. She is the author of Loon Baby and Silhouette of a Sparrow.

Maribel Lechuga is the illustrator of Seaside Stroll. She has always felt an attraction to drawing and art, and she was fascinated by cartoons of the 1990s. She studied art at the prestigious Escuela de Arte 10 (Artediez) in Madrid. www.maribellechuga.com

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