Books published by publisher National Center for Youth Issues

The perfect companion to Grief is Like a Snowflake. The purpose of this book is to offer grief facilitators, educators, and parents "hands on" activities that explore the grieving process. Participants will gain a better understanding of what grief is, how to personalize it, and how to endure it. The activities are practical, easy to implement, and meaningful.

Bully B.E.A.N.S. teaches children how to speak up when it comes to bullying. Bullying continues to be an ongoing problem for children everywhere. Children from every race, culture, and socioeconomic group are susceptible to bullies. Most children are unprepared for how to handle it when bullying happens to them or someone they know. Bully B.E.A.N.S helps children identify bullying, and offers clear and impactful action strategies for both targets and bystanders. Maxine liked to pick on kids... especially Winston. Winston is the smartest kid in our whole school. Maxine made him do all of her homework and give her all of his lunch money. Maxine liked to make Winston cry... then she'd call him a crybaby. "If you don't do exactly what I tell you to, I'll knock you into next week!" Nobody liked the way Maxine treated Winston, but we were too afraid to do anything about it. Written by bestselling author Julia Cook, Bully B.E.A.N.S. reminds children of the power of their voice and how to use it effectively when standing up against bullying. Bullies Everywhere Are Now Stopped!

Why Does Studying Have to Be So Difficult?! Some children become overly stressed at the simple mention of a test, while others avoid thinking about it at all. Neither approach is healthy. Having good study skills can make a huge difference when it comes to succeeding in both school and in life. However, good study skills are not innate - they must be taught, embraced and cultivated. When children learn the correct way to study, they develop effective skills that can lead to a greater chance of success later in life. Polar opposites, Cletus and Bocephus become study partners! Bocephus over studies and stresses about every assignment and test. Cletus studies as little as possible and puts off any preparation until the night before. Knowing that neither approach is effective, Cletus' mom introduces them to powerful, hands-on, study tips called, "The Amazing Great 8!" The boys then learn how good study skills can affect not only their grades, but also their attitudes and results. "Don't worry about that boys. Studying doesn't have to be so tough. As long as you do the 'AMAZING GREAT 8,' it won't seem near as rough." This storybook is the third in the "Functioning Executive" book series. It highlights the importance of studying and being prepared for a test. It also spotlights the unique differences and strengths that live in all of us. This book will teach children a systematic approach toward preparing for a test which will give them skills they can use later in life. Children who possess effective studying skills can also prepare for future success.

Will it happen again, Mama? After the Ant Hill School is destroyed, a little boy ant is afraid to go back to school. His mom caringly explains to him that sometimes things happen in life over which we have no control, but we have to find a way to keep living and growing. To do that, "We breathe in and breathe out, and hold onto each other. We shed a lot of tears, and we love one another. We all come together as a strong team of ONE, and then we rebuild, and get things done!" The Ant Hill Disaster thoughtfully addresses fears associated with both natural and man-caused disasters. It models effective parenting and teaching responses. This book can help assure children that through love, empathetic understanding, preparation, and effective communication, they can stand strong, even in the midst of uncontrollable events.

Bluebird, along with most everyone else at school, wants to flutter like the most popular bird in their class, Hummingbird. "You should go on a diet, and work out at the gym. You could flutter like me, if your body was thin." Bluebird takes this comment seriously and starts to develop unhealthy eating habits. Mom comes to the rescue by teaching Bluebird balance and by explaining that everyone needs to feel comfortable in their own feathers. With help from the Bird Doc and the Food Voice Counselor, Bluebird learns to control the Food Voice that is living inside. "I'm working on balance one day at a time. If I keep working hard, I should be just fine." How to be Comfortable in Your Own Feathers uses a creative approach to speak to children who may be currently struggling with body-image concerns. This story is written in a manner that gives children an opportunity to apply the characters' experiences to their own lives. It also demonstrates appropriate adult responses that encourage the development of healthy eating habits. Includes "Live It" Dos and Don'ts. Endorsed by the MCR Foundation.

The perfect companion to It's Hard To Be A Verb picture book. The purpose of this book is to offer teachers and students "hands on" activities to improve their focus and organizational skills both in and out of the classroom. Since internal organization can be very difficult for some students to achieve, external organization becomes an absolute must! Teaching a "verb" can be a colorful challenge. This book contains ideas that are easily implemented and fun to use! A positive resource for anyone dealing with ADHD or challenged by someone who has ADHD.

I'm a blueloon. I'm supposed to be a regular balloon, but I'm just not having fun like the others. I'm kinda dull, and I'm kinda flat. My string is tied up in knots. I have a case of the blues...that's why I'm a blueloon. I've felt like this for weeks! Meet Blueloon a sad little balloon who is suffering from depression. With help from the wise rock, Blueloon learns what he can do to "bounce back" to being the way he used to be bright, round, and full with a very straight string! Although clinical depression is often thought of as an adult disease, it can affect children, as well. Unfortunately, children may not have the maturity to understand what is happening to them, or they may feel powerless to change their situation, so they don't speak up about what they are going through. It is up to adults to be on the lookout for signs of trouble, and recognize when a child needs help. Finally! A book on depression that works for Blueloons of all ages!

Family changes often present difficult challenges for children. Separation, divorce, incarceration, death, re-marriage and relocation through moving or military deployment are a few of the life events that change families and often create puzzling feelings for the children involved. Coping With Family Changes: Getting Yourself Together When Things Come Apart focuses on the five familiar stages of grief often experienced by children when their family structure changes. This resource offers a student survey, read-aloud story and 21 reproducible student activities designed to help children move through the grief process and adjust to their new circumstances. Helpful parent articles and reference material complete this "must have" book for all helpers of children.

Horses can help people fix ANYTHING! Archie is not your average horse. He helps people get rid of their flies...you know, the things that bug us! When horses get flies, they swish their tails to make them go away, but since people don't have tails, they come to Archie for help. This creative book for all ages takes a look at how powerful using horses can be to help people heal on the inside.

Meet Melvin, the lovable tooth. Through Melvin's view of the world, this book encourages children in a fun-loving, unique way to actually want to brush their teeth. By promoting brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist, Melvin shows readers young and old how to make sure they will have happy teeth and healthy smiles that will last them a lifetime!

Eli is a young boy who finds out that he has cancer. Not knowing how to feel, his doctor tells him... "There is a 'can' in cancer, so when your life seems kinda rough, breathe in and out and clear your head and think about better stuff." This creatively written book of hope follows Eli's journey through the eyes of a patient, parents, siblings, teachers, health care providers, and friends. A must read for all who are searching for their "CAN" in cancer.