Books with author Maria Ellis

Do you have a toddler who is ever so slightly tempted to bend the rules at home every once in a while (all for a "good" reason, of course)? Then you will like the story of Monkey Bandit and the naughty ball!Monkey Bandit, much like any toddler, forgets about the rules. He knows he cannot play with a ball inside the house, but are bending over the ball or touching it with one finger considered "playing with the ball"?This colorfully illustrated, funny children's story will make babies and toddlers giggle at the misadventures of Monkey Bandit. But, as a powerful teaching tool, it allows parents and educators to start a very useful conversation about "bending the rules". For parents who like to discipline without yelling, rules without punishments, only consequences, reinforcing good behavior and reading with children.Efficient with strong-willed and "stubborn" children, as it addresses the topic of discipline and rules in a funny way, through a story and a character.Rules... rules at home... what are those exactly?!TOPICS: rules, discipline, kids, strong-willed, stubborn, misbehaving, behaviour, respect

Do you have a toddler who will not eat by him or herself - or has trouble eating alone because of a sensory difficulty disorder? Then you will like the story of Monkey Bandit who learns to eat with a spoon!Monkey Bandit does not know how to eat by himself, with a spoon. Yet. But he does like yummy soup. He tries to eat some with one finger, but that does not work. Next, he tries grabbing a handful of soup... that does not work. When he tries slurping the soup from the bowl, he burns himself and gets the soup all over the floor. Eating by yourself is not easy, is it... Frustrated and angry, Monkey Bandit begins to cry. With the tears, he gets a few tastes of soup in his mouth. Oh, it is so very good... so he tries just one more time: he picks up the spoon, dips it in the soup and slowly takes it to his mouth. Yeey!At last, the third time is a charm: Monkey Bandit opens his mouth widely and has his first spoonful of soup, all by himself!This colorfully illustrated, funny children's story will amuse your toddler and help him eat by himself or herself. It breaks down the steps of eating by yourself: holding the spoon, dipping it in the bowl of food, taking it to your mouth.Great children's story for toddlers or kids who are learning to eat by themselves, it is also about the fact that learning a new skill requires determination and perseverance.For children with a sensory processing disorder, this book will provide a visual guide to eating independently. Through humor and watching a little monkey eat by himself, your child will feel less pressured and more at ease with trying.

What is it?! It’s a thing… for the head... for the elbow... for the nose... oh, no! It’s for the teeth?!Monkey Bandit finds something on the bathroom floor. He doesn’t know what it is... but “it” is perfect for scratching! The head, the nose, the ears, the elbows, the knees, the tummy, the toes... and just about every other body part that needs scratching.What do you think happens when he hears the scream: “Monkey Bandit, is that my toothbrush!?”Perfect for toddlers or young children who do not like to brush their teeth, this humorous book will approach tooth brushing gently, provoke giggles and entice reluctant kids to give it a go - all the while teaching them body parts and promoting body awareness.This is a kids book about body parts that is gently leading towards tooth brushing - a perfect tool to approach the subject with your reluctant child, without preaching or forcing. Laughter goes a long way towards getting a "yes" out of your toddler!For some children with a sensory processing disorder, it promotes body awareness and provides a sensory exercise that is funny, silly and totally doable by a toddler or young child.*Paperback version contains two brush-your-teeth, cut-off posters to stick to the bathroom mirror!FREE KINDLE WITH PURCHASE OF PAPERBACK

You're wrong, but I'm not! Or... am I?"How do you teach "The Golden Rule" to very young children? By showing them an example of what it is like to have someone do unto you the very thing that you do unto others! With a bonus toilet training lesson...Monkey Bandit, much like any toddler, sees nothing wrong... when he's doing something wrong, such as going potty in a bush in the back of the garden, even though everybody else tells him that the garden is not a toilet. But when the neighbors' dog goes potty on his very own bush, Monkey Bandit is furious! Until, that is, he realizes that he himself had been doing to others what the dog was doing to him! This is not so much a story about potty training, although it delivers the not-so-subtle message that it is best to go potty in the potty or the toilet. But what this story shows is the important lesson of seeing yourself through the eyes of others - and realizing when you are doing something wrong.This colorfully illustrated, funny children's story will make babies and toddlers giggle at the misadventures of Monkey Bandit - and deliver powerful life lessons in the process.

Who says that going to bed means the fun stops?!Do you have a toddler who is difficult at bedtime? Then you will like the story of Monkey Bandit and the monkey in the moon - it will help you steer your energetic boy or girl towards going to sleep!Monkey Bandit refuses to go to bed. He must (must!) finish his castle tower first and then draw some circles on a piece of paper and then... and then... There are always fun things to do and the fun just stops when bedtime comes! But then, he hears about the monkey in the moon. Who is THAT? Curiosity leads him to his bed - and he finally falls asleep while staring at the night sky. Will he actually find the monkey in the moon?This simple, colorfully illustrated children's bedtime storyfor toddlers and young children will appeal to boys and girls who love the night sky. It will also develop your child's creativity and imagination.But, most importantly, by giving them a "task" to do in bed, you will get their attention and you will actually keep them IN bed, occupied - and long enough for them to actually fall asleep."Take it from a mom... it works!"

What is it?! It’s a thing… for the head... for the elbow... for the nose... oh, no! It’s for the teeth?!This is a kids book about brushing teeth as much as it is about body parts! Monkey Bandit finds something on the bathroom floor. He doesn’t know what it is... but “it” is perfect for scratching! The head, the nose, the ears, the elbows, the knees, the tummy, the toes... and just about every other body part that needs scratching.What do you think happens when he hears the scream: “Monkey Bandit, is that my toothbrush!?”Perfect for toddlers or young children who do not like to brush their teeth, this humorous book will approach tooth brushing gently, provoke giggles and entice reluctant kids to give it a go - all the while teaching them body parts.This is a kids book about body parts that is gently leading towards tooth brushing - a perfect tool to approach the subject with your reluctant child, without preaching or forcing. Laughter goes a long way towards getting a "yes" out of your toddler!*Paperback version contains two brush-your-teeth, cut-off posters to stick to the bathroom mirror!FREE KINDLE WITH PURCHASE OF PAPERBACK

“Don’t make me take a bath! Don’t make me!... Ooooh, that’s nice…” Do you have a toddler who will not gladly take a bath? Then you will like the story of Monkey Bandit who finally takes one!Monkey Bandit is never quite ready for taking a bath. He has so many other things to do first... playing with paints, eating strawberries and kicking a ball outside in the mud are just three examples. But when he realizes that he will not be able to jump on the bed, or hide in the armoire or do other things inside the house while he is dirty, he reconsiders taking a bath... and discovers that he even likes it!This colorfully illustrated, funny children's story will amuse your toddler and gently teach him the value of being clean.

We are all different, that’s all!When Monkey Bandit meets Beau, the colorful parrot, he quickly becomes upset because he does not have as many colors. But then he realizes that, even though some of us have many colors and others only one or two, this simply means that we are all different, that’s all.This is not so much a book about colors, but a book about comparisons and self-esteem.This colorful, funny picture book will introduce your child to the idea that differences are normal and natural. As they grow, children start comparing themselves to others, especially when the adults around them offer praise (or criticism!). A healthy sense of self-esteem and self-confidence is based on the idea that yes, we are all different - and that is a good thing.It is never too early to start talking to your child about self-esteem!Pre-K / Kindergarten / Grade 1Other books in the Monkey Bandit series will teach your child values such as creativity, cleanliness, good behavior, taking responsibility and more, woven in practical lessons about playing, eating, going potty, socializing, learning about the world and all the other regular activities in the lives of young children.Monkey Bandit and the Monkey in the MoonMonkey Bandit Goes PottyMonkey Bandit and the Naughty BallMonkey Bandit Eats with a SpoonMonkey Bandit Takes a Bath... and more!

Do you have a toddler who is ever so slightly tempted to bend the rules at home every once in a while (all for a "good" reason, of course)? Then you will like the story of Monkey Bandit and the naughty ball!Monkey Bandit, much like any toddler, forgets about the rules. He knows he cannot play with a ball inside the house, but are bending over the ball or touching it with one finger considered "playing with the ball"?This colorfully illustrated, funny children's story will make babies and toddlers giggle at the misadventures of Monkey Bandit. But, as a powerful teaching tool, it allows parents and educators to start a very useful conversation about "bending the rules". For parents who like to discipline without yelling, rules without punishments, only consequences, reinforcing good behavior and reading with children.Efficient with strong-willed and "stubborn" children, as it addresses the topic of discipline and rules in a funny way, through a story and a character.Rules... rules at home... what are those exactly?!TOPICS: rules, discipline, kids, strong-willed, stubborn, misbehaving, behaviour, respect

“‘May I’, ‘Sorry’, ‘Thank you’, ‘Please’ Help us get along with ease!”How do you help your child discover the value of being polite, of having good manners with other people? Practical examples work best. This children's book on manners on a playdate will teach your child that manners help us get along with each other.Monkey Bandit goes on a surprise playdate with Lilly, a new friend. He is very excited about the toys and activities he sees, especially the painting. But when he takes the brush from Lilly’s hand, snatches her cookie and does not ask nicely, Lilly becomes very upset. Monkey Bandit learns first-hand the importance of good manners!Through a simple, relatable story that could come from the life of most toddlers, this kids book on manners will show children that manners are there for a very practical reason (not only because mom and dad say so): to help us get along with each other by being nice.

In life, friends are important. But what do you do if no one wants to be friends with you? This is the story of Mac, a little mouse no bigger than a walnut. He is so small that nobody wants to be friends with him. Or so he thinks. One day he decides that if he were to find golden cheese, he would become rich and everybody would love him and want to be his friend. Or so he thinks...Read this kids book to see what happens when Mac tries one silly idea after another, only to find that what he was really after was one true friend, who can accept him as he is - flaws, silliness and all.This is a kids book about friendship and about true values. Enjoyable for children and parents alike. It is the kind of story that sparks conversations about what is important in life, how we behave and the choices we make.Yes. In life, friends are important. And true friends, some would say, are one of the most important things of all.

SILLY FUN ON THE FARM: A Funny Book for Kids Who are Beginner ReadersFarm animals dress and talk as human kids in this silly beginner reader that will amuse your budding reader and motivate him or her to keep reading.Images accompany words for easier reading. Words build on each other to create five sentenceswith funny and surprising endings. Your child's confidence will grow, as a reader, from being able to read not just words, but sentences that are, in fact, short stories.Who said reading is not FUN?