Appreciating Differences
Covina Unified Education Assn. member Jennifer Ritter’s latest children’s books deal with celiac disease. The Magical Cookie and Jacq Has Celiac (both for ages 4–10) are about young girls who feel excluded at school birthday celebrations and during school lunch because they cannot eat the same foods as their friends. With parental support, they find inner strength, empowerment and a solution. Jacq’s solution helps all her friends — including those on other restrictive diets — feel connected while having school lunch together. At heart these works by Ritter, who is gluten intolerant and a celiac mother, promote inclusion, empowerment and developing respect and sensitivity for others. On Amazon.
Mistakes Are Gifts
First-grade teacher and Walnut Creek Teachers Assn. Member Maria Cedolini Thompson has published her third and fourth books: Anything is Popsicle, Messages of Perseverance (ages 5–8) and Mistakes are Gifts (ages 3–11). Both have themes around social-emotional learning and perseverance. Popsicle is filled with messages that teach lessons about determination and the power of hard work. Mistakes follows shy first grader Luca, starting at a new school. When his teacher tells the class, “Mistakes are gifts; your brain just grew,” Luca gains confidence and realizes that mistakes are not stumbling blocks but stepping stones toward greatness. On Amazon.
Capture Grateful Moments
Fontana Teachers Association member Debbie Dee Hornaday has published a book on gratitude called “Moments: A Guided Gratitude Journal Designed to Reveal Your Happiness.” Prompted by her own experiences of teaching during the Covid lockdown, Hornaday was able to get through this stressful time by journaling to reflect on her feelings. This journal offers readers a way to reflect on their thoughts and regulate their emotions to help improve stress and confidence. It can also help one to
look at the silver lining in life’s many different circumstances. On Amazon.
Intergalactic Peace Quest
Lance Novak, Las Virgenes Education Association member and high school English teacher, has published his sixth young adult novel. “Miss Sophia Sanchez: Spy Stalker” completes the Kabookian Chronicles series where starfighter squadron commander Sophia returns to lead the starship Excelsior on a crucial mission. Tasked with escorting peace-seeking ambassadors to the planet Larzinne, the Excelsior approaches under a flag of peace. However, chaos ensues when the ambassadors are abducted. As Sophia dives into the crisis, can she rescue the kidnapped emissaries? This final adventure will test Sophia like never before, spanning light years across the galaxy and confronting the darkest of secrets. On Amazon.
