Books published by publisher National Center for Youth Issues

Cletus and Bocephus are cousins, yet they are nothing alike. Extremely creative Cletus, can't find anything in his room. He is constantly losing things and is very disorganized and messy. Bocephus, on the other hand, is the most organized, uptight person on the planet. If Bocephus ever misplaces anything... he totally freaks out! After Cletus mom refuses to let him play with Bocephus until his room is cleaned, Bocephus steps in to help out his disorganized cousin. "Cletus... There's a home for everything. Every whatchamacallit has its spot. Let's sort through your stuff and put it where it goes. I'm organized... Cletus you're not!" This storybook is the first in the "Functioning Executive" book series. It highlights the importance of being organized in a creative, applicable way. It also spotlights the unique differences and strengths that live in all of us. This book will help teach children to understand, develop, and apply organization a vital executive function skill. Children who possess effective organizational skills can learn to manage not only daily responsibilities, but can also learn how to effectively plan ahead.

Boy Raindrop is afraid to let go of his cloud and drop to the ground. He doesn't want to take a risk, he doesn't like change, and he is happy with his comfortable life. His father encourages him to jump out of his comfort zone and see what he is missing. You have so many gifts to share with the world, so many dreams to live. Take a chance little man, let go of this cloud. Discover the ways you can give. Don't Be Afraid To Drop is a book for anyone who is at a transitional point in their life. From the beginning kindergartner, to an adult who is facing retirement, and everyone in between, this creative analogy provides all who read it with a positive perspective on change, taking risks, and giving back.

Grief is like a snowflake. Each snowflake is different and everyone shows grief differently. After the death of his father, Little Tree begins to learn how to cope with his feelings and start the healing process. With the help and support of his family and friends, Little Tree learns to cope by discovering what is really important in life, and realizing his father's memory will carry on. Best-selling author, Julia Cook, and a lovable cast of trees, offers a warm approach to the difficult subject of death and dying.

The perfect companion to Bubble Gum Brain. Becoming is Better Than Being! Full of fun activities and questions meant to stretch brains and engage minds, the Bubble Gum Brain Activity and Idea Book will reinforce important growth mindset concepts in creative and memorable ways. Through hands-on activities and conversation starters, children will better understand the value of the Power of Yet, making great mistakes, and expecting the best from themselves.

The perfect companion to the Wilma Jean the Worry Machine picture book. Anxiety is considered to be the number one cause of health problems in America. It is normal for everyone to feel fear, worry and apprehension from time to time, but when these feelings develop into extreme proportions, anxiety becomes a disability. The purpose of this activity book is to offer creative anxiety reduction strategies, and give children the tools they need to feel more in control of their anxiety!

Bertha Billingsworth (BB for short) is basically a happy person... until she has to take a test. To her, the word test stands for Terrible Every Single Time, because that's how she does on them... TERRIBLE! Whenever I see or hear the word test... The hair on the back of my neck stands up. My face turns as red as a beet. I start to sweat, my stomach aches, and I can't control my feet! What if I get every answer wrong? And I don't get any right. I just know I'll get a bad grade on this test, so I don't even want to try! BB's teacher comes to the rescue by inviting her to become a member of the Anti-Test Anxiety Society. She tells BB that TEST stands for Think Each Situation Through! She also ends up teaching BB the Dynamic Dozen (12 amazing test taking strategies), and convinces her to use her "GET TO" brain instead of her "HAVE TO" brain. Now when BB takes a test, she is calm and focused and thanks to her teacher, the Terrible now stands for Terrific!

Why can't he see what he did to me - to our family? This book takes a unique look at the internal struggles with which a child of an incarcerated parent is faced. My dad says that drugs and alcohol made him choose to do the wrong things. But he could have said no to the drugs and the booze, then my life wouldn't be what it seems. Why didn't he love us enough to say no? Aren't we worth it to him? He had a choice...us or drugs. He chose to let the drugs win. What Do I Say About That? creatively explores and validates the roller coaster journey of emotions that children of incarcerated parents endure. It also gives insight to the process of healing and coping.

In The Bubble Wrap Queen, Julia Cook has created a book that teaches the key B.A.S.I.C.S of injury prevention, Be Aware and Safe in Common Situations, to creatively address: Playground safety Poison control Automobile safety Bicycle safety and more! While The Bubble Wrap Queen undoubtedly makes learning these and other such safety messages more fun, the underlying messages are no laughing matter because the more your child enjoys reading and learning about them, the more they stick. And the more they stick, the more likely they are to save lives! Includes parent safety tips. Endorsed by National Safety Pediatric Experts, Dr. Marilyn Bull and Dr. Laura Jana.

From the bestselling author of Bubble Gum Brain and My Mouth is a Volcano!, comes a hilarious story about learning to be present wherever we are...and what can happen when we're not. These are my feet and this is me. Sometimes I'm not where I'm supposed to be. My brain gets crowded. There's so much going on. I do three things at once, and get two of them wrong! "Be where your feet are," I hear people say. "Do one thing at a time. It's a much better way." Each day, there are so many things to think about. Getting ready for school, turning in homework, taking a math test, band solo tryouts, soccer practice...and it's a long way from your head to your feet. Be Where Your Feet Are! reinforces the concepts of mindfulness and being present in a way children will remember, while showing how good life can be when we learn to appreciate the world and people around us.

In The Awfulizer: Learning to Overcome the Shame Game, author Kristin Maher gives shame a name and face, showing just how real and big it can be for children; how it keeps them feeling isolated and alone, and makes them question their self-worth. "I feel like there's a monster in my head. And all he does is say awful things to me. He tells me all the things I am doing wrong and how I am wrong, and it makes me sad and scared." Shame is a powerful emotion for children, and when they get sucked into the Shame Game and start believing lies about themselves - that they don't just MAKE mistakes, but they ARE a mistake - their world can become a dark place. James' life changes the day he meets The Awfulizer, a strange monster with a giant nose and breath that smells like pickles. The Awfulizer follows James everywhere he goes and reminds him of all the things he has done wrong. When James finally tells his parents all about The Awfulizer, they help him understand that talking about his feelings gives him a super power. It turns him into The Awesomizer! And James realizes that even though The Awfulizer might be big and persistent, up against the Awesomizer, he will always lose.

Believe in Yourself and Your Dream Will Find You! Every child is born with unique gifts and strengths, and as they grow, those begin to influence their interests and hobbies. As adults, we can sometimes see these gifts and tell our kids what they could or should be when they grow up. The problem is, kids can internalize our ideas for them as something they should want too. In There's No Dream Too Tall, Amie Dean offers a different approach allowing kids the freedom to decide for themselves. Whether they want to be a teacher, a chef, a firefighter, a homemaker, or an architect, kids can look at their unique strengths and gifts and find their own way towards a future they will love. The world is wide open; there's no dream too tall. For a boy or a girl, whether big or quite small! There are millions of choices no end to the list. So, look deep in yourself and consider your gifts. By showing kids that their different strengths can help them become who they want to be, we give them the power and permission to dream. And when we do that, they will believe that no matter how tall their dreams may be, they have what it takes to reach them!