Featured Titles for Kids: The Book Machine & My Emotions Have a Job
The Book Machine by Laurie Duersch
Illustrated by Susanna Covelli
Published by Familius
World Rights Available
Age Range: 5 - 7
A boy's innovative genius proves that machines can never replace writers in this picture book about creativity, imagination, and the writing process.
I need more books. I just can't get enough. But how does one make a book? I've seen books at the school and the library. How do they get their books? They must use a book-making machine.
What happens when a book-loving child can't get books fast enough? He'll build a machine that will produce an entire library, of course! With a doohickey here and a whatchamacallit there, he puts his book machine together and waits for the books to pop out . . . and waits . . . and waits. After checking to make sure there wasn't a dragon inside the machine gobbling up all his books, he deduces that he must write his own story.
Combining science with art and writing, The Book Machine introduces kids to creativity and critical thinking, teaching them to solve problems and utilize all their talents in order to reach their goals. With adorable illustrations that spark the imagination, every page will have kids falling in love with making ideas come to life. And a list of helpful, easy-to-follow steps at the end will walk kids through the writing process, encouraging them to begin writing their own stories with the book machines built right inside of them.
Laurie Duersch is a wife and mother of two young, energetic boys. She’s worked as a book editor for the past decade, thoroughly enjoying reading all day for her job! She’s written content for small businesses and edited several books for one of the fastest-growing independent publishing companies in the United States, with hundreds of books distributed nationally and internationally each year.
Susanna Covelli was born in a small town in Piedmont, Italy, earned an MA in architecture, and followed her passion for art and decided to attend a specialization course in both traditional and digital illustration at Scuola Internazionale di Comics in Turin, where she now teaches. Her art expresses her own imagination and inspiration from nature, and she has always been attracted by sinuous shapes, Baroque style, and out-of-the-ordinary perspective.
Awesome Dawson: My Emotions Have a Job! by Julia Cook
Illustrated by Dale Crawford
Book #3 Awesome Dawson Series
Published by Boys Town Press
World Rights Available
Age Range: 4 - 6 years
Dawson feels lots of emotions and knows each one has an important job, including keeping him safe, resilient, and prepared.
But what happens when his emotions take their jobs too seriously? Will Dawson still be able to manage them, or will they run wild in awkward and reckless ways?
A trip to Dawson's happiest place – the zoo – is the ultimate test. The anticipation of feeding the giraffes, riding the train, and eating snow cones overwhelms his body with excitement. But that feeling quickly gives way to sadness when he isn't allowed to ride the carousel, or what he calls the round and round.
His sadness then becomes rage when he learns that refusing to eat all his carrot sticks means he won't get to have any cotton candy. As his loving, but firm, mom leads him away from the snack shack, Dawson experiences another big emotion – worry. What if he leans too far over the side of the train and falls into Gorilla Land? The momma gorilla might not give him back!
From joy and sadness to anger and worry, this zoo trip brings out lots of big emotions. So Mom gently reminds him that even though all his feelings are natural and important, he's still the boss and his emotions work for him. That's when Dawson reimagines his day.
What if he gives his special squishy a big squeeze to release some of his happy energy? What if he gets to ride the round and round on his next visit? What if he eats all his carrots so he can indulge in cotton candy? And what if he keeps himself safe on the train, so he stays safe from the gorillas?
Bestselling author Julia Cook and renowned play therapist Dr. Rebeca Chow team up in this colorful, empowering story that reminds young readers they can make their emotions work for them in healthy and positive ways, even during distressing and difficult situations.
Review
"The Awesome Dawson character provides children with a way to visualize and conceptualize how to manage very powerful emotions. Parents and children can experience these powerful emotions as they journey with Dawson through the challenges of everyday life. Skillfully crafted by Cook, Dawson is able to give life to these feelings in a way that promotes understanding and reduces externalization. Children and parents can vividly see their own experiences validated in ways that support meaningful discussion. A must-read for every child who struggles with managing big emotions! "—Tiffany Arrington, PhD, School Psychologist
Julia Cook is nationally recognized as an award-winning children’s book author and parenting expert, and her books have been referenced in such publications as Parent’s Magazine, The New Yorker, Green Child Magazine, The Huffington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Yahoo.com, DrLaura.com and BabyZone.com has. She has also been featured on CNN’s HLN News, and several large metropolitan networks.
She has presented in thousands of schools across the country and abroad, regularly speaks at national education and counseling conferences. She has published nearly 100 children’s books with a wide range of characters and social development topics.
Indie Spotlight from Our Marketplace
The Kids Book of Anti Bullying
By Catherine and Jenny Stephenson, Illustrations by Hiruni Kariyawasam
Part of: The Kids' Books of Social Emotional Learning (13 books)
Designed for flexible use in classrooms, counseling sessions, and at home, the workbook combines gentle storytelling with reflection, discussion prompts, and hands-on activities.
Identify what bullying is—and what it's not
Practice empathy, emotional awareness, and boundary-setting
Learn calming tools and safe ways to speak up
Build social-emotional skills through drawing, writing, and role-play
Support class- or group-wide discussion with open-ended prompts
Whether used one-on-one or in small groups, this workbook is a thoughtful tool for any adult supporting children through social-emotional growth or bullying awareness.
Why you should check out this title
This practical, age-appropriate workbook helps children ages 7–9 understand bullying, explore emotions, and build the confidence to respond with care and courage.
Ideal for schools, SEL programs, counselors, and families.
Jenny Stephenson is a Chartered Educational and Child Psychologist and experienced in a range of evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy. She works with the consultancy Brighter Futures in the UK, which provides schools and parents with specialist services to improve learning and well-being outcomes for children. She is also the director of HappySleepers, a psychological service supporting children with sleep difficulties.
Catherine Stephenson is a UK-born author living in Barcelona, Spain. With a background in teaching English and translation, she writes thoughtful, engaging books that support children’s social and emotional growth. Her work focuses on helping kids build confidence, understand feelings, and connect with others. Catherine also creates bilingual Spanish-English books that encourage early language learning and celebrate cultural diversity
