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There's a Monkey on Your Shoulder
In this insightful and ultimately heartwarming story, eight young people, each facing their own unique struggles, are brought together for an unforgettable personal development adventure. They are the proud recipients of the national SOS Award for mental health awareness, led by the visionary entrepreneur Justin Bloom, whose deeply personal mission is to empower and uplift young people.
Their journey takes place at a unique camp in a remote area of Scotland, where Justin and his dedicated team—Mags, Rob, and the delightfully eccentric Mrs Winterbottom—guide the teens through a series of eye-opening exercises and exhilarating challenges. From surviving twenty-four hours on their own on an island, to navigating a heart-pounding escape from deep sea-filled caves, each test pushes them to their limits.
At the heart of this adventure is the 'monkey on your shoulder.' Each teen meets their own metaphorical 'monkey'—that ever-present voice reflecting deep-seated beliefs and patterns of behaviour that colour their world. Armed with crayons, these monkeys illustrate each of their experiences in vibrant hues, representing the emotional tapestry of their lives. During the training, the teens begin to understand how their monkeys influence their thoughts, shaping both their perceptions and behaviours, often reinforcing their limiting beliefs.
Amidst moments of drama, anger, laughter, and fear, Jack, Sienna-May, Alfie, Charlie, Tinda, Eloise, Millie, and Celeste set out on a journey of self-discovery. They learn to listen to and connect with their monkeys, uncovering hidden strengths within themselves. Together, they come to realise the power of mindset, imagination, and kindness—towards themselves and others—and how it can bring about extraordinary transformation.
There’s a Monkey on Your Shoulder is a powerful narrative that delves into the complexities of young minds and the profound impact of self-awareness and empathy. This story will resonate with readers of all ages, offering a message of hope, understanding, and the boundless potential within us all.
In Praise of There's a Monkey on Your Shoulder:
"What Tana Macpherson-Smith has achieved with this extraordinary book is the power to take all the key elements that make up our mental health issues in the young today - and to deliver them in a truly intriguing, entertaining, thoughtful, inspirational and original book. We should all be reading this creative and informed gift of a book - to inspire each and every one of us as we journey through life." Kate Blewett, Multi Award-Winning Documentary Film Producer and Director
"I can’t say enough for this book, except that every child, parent, educator and health professional would do well to read it. Tana Macpherson-Smith has devised a brilliant way for young people to understand their inner strengths and gifts, then turned it into a captivating story. For any child—or adult—who struggles with a sense of self-worth and purpose (and that means all of us), There’s A Monkey On Your Shoulder will give you a new way of looking at yourself and the world. A must read." Debra Engle, Executive Story Summit, international lecturer, writing mentor and best-selling Author
“This is not only a brilliantly clever, original and skilfully written book for young adults navigating their way through an increasingly challenging world, but a deeply important one too. I absolutely loved it!” Santa Montefiore, Sunday Times Best Selling Author
Their journey takes place at a unique camp in a remote area of Scotland, where Justin and his dedicated team—Mags, Rob, and the delightfully eccentric Mrs Winterbottom—guide the teens through a series of eye-opening exercises and exhilarating challenges. From surviving twenty-four hours on their own on an island, to navigating a heart-pounding escape from deep sea-filled caves, each test pushes them to their limits.
At the heart of this adventure is the 'monkey on your shoulder.' Each teen meets their own metaphorical 'monkey'—that ever-present voice reflecting deep-seated beliefs and patterns of behaviour that colour their world. Armed with crayons, these monkeys illustrate each of their experiences in vibrant hues, representing the emotional tapestry of their lives. During the training, the teens begin to understand how their monkeys influence their thoughts, shaping both their perceptions and behaviours, often reinforcing their limiting beliefs.
Amidst moments of drama, anger, laughter, and fear, Jack, Sienna-May, Alfie, Charlie, Tinda, Eloise, Millie, and Celeste set out on a journey of self-discovery. They learn to listen to and connect with their monkeys, uncovering hidden strengths within themselves. Together, they come to realise the power of mindset, imagination, and kindness—towards themselves and others—and how it can bring about extraordinary transformation.
There’s a Monkey on Your Shoulder is a powerful narrative that delves into the complexities of young minds and the profound impact of self-awareness and empathy. This story will resonate with readers of all ages, offering a message of hope, understanding, and the boundless potential within us all.
In Praise of There's a Monkey on Your Shoulder:
"What Tana Macpherson-Smith has achieved with this extraordinary book is the power to take all the key elements that make up our mental health issues in the young today - and to deliver them in a truly intriguing, entertaining, thoughtful, inspirational and original book. We should all be reading this creative and informed gift of a book - to inspire each and every one of us as we journey through life." Kate Blewett, Multi Award-Winning Documentary Film Producer and Director
"I can’t say enough for this book, except that every child, parent, educator and health professional would do well to read it. Tana Macpherson-Smith has devised a brilliant way for young people to understand their inner strengths and gifts, then turned it into a captivating story. For any child—or adult—who struggles with a sense of self-worth and purpose (and that means all of us), There’s A Monkey On Your Shoulder will give you a new way of looking at yourself and the world. A must read." Debra Engle, Executive Story Summit, international lecturer, writing mentor and best-selling Author
“This is not only a brilliantly clever, original and skilfully written book for young adults navigating their way through an increasingly challenging world, but a deeply important one too. I absolutely loved it!” Santa Montefiore, Sunday Times Best Selling Author
346 pages, Paperback
Published November 14, 2024
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3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 30, 2024
A poignant reminder to keep my own Monkey in check and to help my children understand their own.
February 27, 2025
There’s a Monkey on Your Shoulder is an insightful read that offers young people and parents a fresh perspective on managing emotions, self-doubt, and those negative inner critics we all face from time to time. Tana Macpherson-Smith has crafted a beautifully simple yet powerful story that helps teens recognise and handle negative self-talk in an engaging and empowering way.
The "monkey" in the story acts as a clever metaphor for the inner voice that can sometimes fill our minds with worries or unhelpful thoughts. With gentle guidance and warmth, the book shows teens how to notice when their "monkey" is getting too loud and, most importantly, how to quiet it down.
The careful editing ensures that the message is clear and age-appropriate, making it a perfect tool for parents, teachers, and caregivers.
This book isn’t just a thought-provoking story—it’s a conversation starter. It encourages children and young people to open up about their feelings and gives parents a way to talk about emotions and self-belief in a fun and non-intimidating way.
Perfect for:
- Teenagers aged 12 - 18 years
- Parents and educators seeking to support emotional wellbeing
- Families who love books that spark meaningful conversations
There’s a Monkey on Your Shoulder is a helpful addition to any bookshelf and a fantastic resource for helping teens build confidence and resilience. A heartwarming, helpful, and hopeful read!
The "monkey" in the story acts as a clever metaphor for the inner voice that can sometimes fill our minds with worries or unhelpful thoughts. With gentle guidance and warmth, the book shows teens how to notice when their "monkey" is getting too loud and, most importantly, how to quiet it down.
The careful editing ensures that the message is clear and age-appropriate, making it a perfect tool for parents, teachers, and caregivers.
This book isn’t just a thought-provoking story—it’s a conversation starter. It encourages children and young people to open up about their feelings and gives parents a way to talk about emotions and self-belief in a fun and non-intimidating way.
Perfect for:
- Teenagers aged 12 - 18 years
- Parents and educators seeking to support emotional wellbeing
- Families who love books that spark meaningful conversations
There’s a Monkey on Your Shoulder is a helpful addition to any bookshelf and a fantastic resource for helping teens build confidence and resilience. A heartwarming, helpful, and hopeful read!
January 11, 2025
This book is truly a game-changer. It opened my eyes to the pressing mental health challenges faced by teenagers and young adults in today’s fast-paced world. Tana does an incredible job of exploring the emotional struggles many face, making it impossible to ignore the importance of being mindful of both our own mental health and the well-being of those around us.
What really struck me was how this book doesn't just highlight the problems but also encourages personal reflection. It made me stop and think about my own behaviors, the pressures I’ve experienced, and how I can be more compassionate with others. The writing is engaging and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impact long after you finish reading.
Whether you're a teen, a young adult, or someone wanting to better understand the mental health landscape of this generation, this book is a powerful resource. It’s a poignant reminder that everyone is fighting their own battles, and a little empathy can go a long way. Highly recommend!
What really struck me was how this book doesn't just highlight the problems but also encourages personal reflection. It made me stop and think about my own behaviors, the pressures I’ve experienced, and how I can be more compassionate with others. The writing is engaging and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impact long after you finish reading.
Whether you're a teen, a young adult, or someone wanting to better understand the mental health landscape of this generation, this book is a powerful resource. It’s a poignant reminder that everyone is fighting their own battles, and a little empathy can go a long way. Highly recommend!
January 11, 2025
A book for anyone teen upwards. Fantastic story and characters. A great insight into the complex world of mental health struggles. I learnt alot about my previous experiences and can take forward other things for my future. Buy this for everyone you know and they will thank you.
Tana's story and work are inspiring. 5 stars 🌟
Tana's story and work are inspiring. 5 stars 🌟
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews