Relationship Navigators: A Creative Approach to Managing Emotions

by Maria Mercè Conangla, Jaume Soler

Teaches kids how to use their emotional energy to improve their relationships and the world!

What sources of energy does the Earth have? Where can we find the energy we need to survive? Did you know that there are also sources of emotional energy? Through stories, questions, and games, this book teaches kids how to "fly, " love themselves, differentiate between protecting themselves and being aggressive, and prepare a happy jelly to get them through difficult moments. They will also learn how to surround themselves with people who help them grow in harmony and balance. The content is purposefully open so that mentors can use the ideas and activities in their own way. Teachers and parents will have fun encouraging kids to become emotional ecologists—people who have enough confidence in themselves to take worthwhile risks and to make their dreams become reality.

64 pages, Hardcover

Published October 28, 2018

Reviews

[Nanny Miss Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children are more capable at problem solving than they think, and more than many give them credit for. It's always a good thing when they know that everything they need to process and deal with their emotional challenges can be found around them in the world and from within. Psychiatrists Maria Merce Conangla & Jaume Soler have created a book series to help parents, caregivers, and children gain perspective to help them simplify some of life's seemingly complex problems.

One installment in that series, "Relationship Navigators", draws comparisons from our natural environment on the outside to our myriad of feelings on the inside. How do animals protect themselves? How do birds use wings to fly? By tapping into these discoveries, the detailed chapter book aims to help kids understand that these correlations are useful and exist. Following this pattern of thought, they can become better friends by learning conflict resolution and ways to communicate unselfishly. Similar to the other installments ("Feelings Forecasters", "Emotional Explorers"), it uses questions of self-reflection, emotional exercises, and symbolic activities to express a clear message. With beautiful, thoughtful illustrations and themes, it's definitely a good read for anyone who wants his or child to have an easier time making and keeping friends.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an okay book. I didn't think it was as good as Emotional Forecasters. but still helpful for kids.

[Moriah Conant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful and helpful for young children to better understand relationships.

Every classroom should have one of these books!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[J. d'Merricksson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feelings Forecasters/ Relationship Navigators by Maria Mercé Conangla & Jaume Soler is comprised of five chapters teaching children about 'emotional ecology’. The lessons teach children how to recognise what they are feeling, what it might mean, and how to handle it, along with the consequences of remaining blind to your denser emotions and what they are trying to tell you. Each chapter has a series of exercises, each with reflection questions and considerations. The beginning of each chapter also has lessons on environmental ecology that are relevant to the chapter topics. I like the use of weather and weather protection imagery of Feelings Forecasters, and the nature inspired imagery of Relationship Navigators. Even though those aren't my first analogy choice, they are good ones, and imagery of any kind is how the subconscious learns and works best. If we want lasting change, it has to come from there, not our conscious thinking. These are clearly books for teachers, rather than ones to be read by children themselves. That being the case, a little more guidance for the teacher may be helpful. Unless the teacher is a psychologist, or exceptionally skilled at emotional intelligence, they are likely to stumble while helping kids with some tasks since many adults are not savvy to their own emotional undercurrents either. I wasn't a huge fan of the artwork. It's not a style that really resonated with me.

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Schiffer Publishing for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review.