Can Do Kids by Kayla J. W. Marnach {Children's Book Review}

I received this book to review and have volunteered to share my review. All the opinions are 100% my own.

My Body’s Mine: A Book on Boundaries and Sexual Abuse Prevention

My Body’s Mine helps children learn they have the rights to their body. Told through rhyme from a child’s point of view this book on boundaries empowers each child to say no when others approach them in ways that make them uncomfortable. It also gives clear instructions on what to do if they are approached in an unwanted manner. The questions at the end of the book provides an easy transition for counselors and parents to open a discussion to prevent abuse or to further explore if abuse has occurred.

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I Can Do That: A Book on Self-Regulation

I Can Do That! helps children learn self-regulating techniques. Told through rhyme from a child’s point of view, strategies are shared empowering the child to effectively learn and practice ways they can control their emotions and actions when they feel themselves becoming dysregulated. The discussion questions at the end of the book provide an easy transition for counselors and parents to open a discussion, assisting the child in exploring ways they can learn to manage themselves.

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My Actions Matter: A Book on Life Values

My Actions Matter helps children learn life value skills, creating a foundation on how they can connect with others. Told through rhyme from a child’s point of view this book provides strategies for the child to learn how their actions influence others. The questions at the end of the book provide an easy transition for counselors and parents to open a discussion assisting the child in exploring ways they can effectively correct their behavior and connect with others. In my professional counseling, I encourage caregivers to use My Actions Matter as a part of their everyday interaction. Kayla has written an easy to use tool that is foundational in implementing life value strategies for children and their ability to connect with others. With the sing-song rhythm and diverse characters, children can relate to and understand that their actions do matter. The Behaviors Display a Need and Explorations and Activities sections add a dimension making My Actions Matter a complete tool for caregivers to use easily, effectively, and with confidence.

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My Body’s Mine is a great rhyming book that would work perfect for preschool through elementary aged kids as an aide to teaching children about safe touch. It doesn’t go into detail that would frighten a child but is a quick easy rhyme that assures them that their body is there’s and that it is not okay to be uncomfortable with someone touching them or that no one is allowed to touch them without permission.

The main phrase is something that is repeated and is a great ‘catch’ for kids to repeat to remember.

This is also an easy read that a learning reader could practice with!

The questions at the end of the book make great conversation starters for parents and children to further the conversation.

I Can Do That is one of the three that I will be giving Blake. He gets angry quick and has difficulty sitting still due to his mental health diagnoses and this book is amazing. It has another rhyme scheme but gives ideas what to do when they are angry or can’t sit still.

The wording is aimed right at elementary aged children but I think it is also something that could help remind middle school aged kids as well.

It takes away the ‘being bad’ aspect of not being able to sit still or being mad, and substitutes different ways to handle those behaviors.

There are questions to further the conversation but there are also recommendations for more things to do to be calm and release anger.

My Actions Matter wasn’t exactly my favorite of three, but again, the rhyming scheme makes it fun for kids and is a good reminder on positive behavior choices for children.

The end of the book has questions to further the conversation and of course, recommendations on handling behavior.

All in all, these are great books for parents and kids to read alone and together, over and over again.

They are quick reads; simple; and with a little practice and repeat reading; could help solve some behavioral problems in our home!

About the Author
I am a native Texan, wife, and mother of two grown daughters. My family, faith, and friends have long been the inspiration in my writing. My passion is to empower and validate others, helping them know they are not alone in their feelings or circumstances. Through poetry and stories I have reached out to others offering comfort and compassion in difficult circumstances, and also to share those times of joy and celebration. Life is to be lived and experienced fully, sharing it all with those we love and care about. You Are Not Alone(these in caps to make it stand out) is a theme running through my friendships, and writings, and the reason I created YANA Press.