Catching Thoughts

by Bonnie Clark, Summer Macon (Illustrations)

Have you ever had an unwelcome thought that you just couldn't get rid of, no matter how hard you tried to push it away? In Catching Thoughts, a girl is plagued by an unwanted thought. No matter what she does--ignore it, yell at it, cry about it--the thought won't go away. Frustrated and discouraged, she finally looks that bad thought in the face and says, Hello. At last, she is able to notice other more beautiful, positive thoughts all around her. As she catches hold of new thoughts, the girl discovers she can fill her mind with whatever she chooses.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Emotion, Mental Health, Kids

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 11, 2020

About the author

Bonnie Clark loves books that make her laugh, cry, or think for a long time. She enjoys writing for children because she believes that childhood is the most important time in a person's life--the time that shapes who we become as adults. When she isn't writing, Bonnie does yoga, reads books, raises three adorable kids, and drinks lots of coffee. Bonnie lives in Canton, Georgia, with her husband, their children, and two French bulldogs.

Reviews

[Payam Ebrahimi · Rating 1 out of 5]

خزعبل محض.
بی‌سروته و بی‌حساب‌کتاب.
بیشتر شبیه بیانیه بود تا داستان. داستان جای بلندگو دست گرفتن و شعار دادن نیست.

[Jean Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people are plagued by more than a fair share of negative thoughts and emotions. In this picture book, a girl is unable to get rid of her unwanted thought. No amount of crying, yelling or ignoring can dispel her oppressive, dark mood until she notices the buoyant power of thoughts that dwell on truth, beauty, excellence, and hope. She makes a conscious decision to fill her mind with positive thoughts, collecting ones that make her feel clear and calm.

Thanks to Beaming Books for a review copy of this book.

[Norene Paulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bonnie Clark, author of TASTE YOUR WORDS, once again strikes five-star gold with her latest kid-empowering book, CATCHING THOUGHTS. An unwanted thought (represented by a large, black balloon) has entered and refuses to leave the mind of a young girl. It starts out as a "teeny, tiny, little thought" but as it stalks her, it grows exponentially until "there's no room in my head for anything but the one horrible thought". Nothing she does shoos it away until she faces it and realizes it's not as big and scary as it seems. With a smile and a hello, she acknowledges the unwanted thought, dismisses it, and redirects her mind toward more hopeful, positive thoughts (represented by brightly-colored balloons). Summer Macon's imagery is strikingly symbolic and powerful and melds perfectly with Clark's reassuring, empowering text. A definite must-have for any child bombarded by unwanted thoughts.

[A.J. Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story opens with a little girl and a negative thought. The text and illustrations work together magically. So brilliant to use balloons to represent thoughts! This picture book shows kiddos the importance of pushing away bad thoughts and replacing them with hopeful and lovely thoughts, clear and calm thoughts. CATCHING THOUGHTS by Bonnie Clark and Summer Macon is a wonderful story about mindfulness, acknowledging bad thoughts, and focusing on what brings us joy.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good concept, but perhaps a little simplistic in its delivery.

[Elizabeth Bedia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful picture book is tender, honest, empowering – and perfect for kids of all ages! The story unfolds with a little girl who is plagued by a unwelcome thought that weighs on her and doesn’t let go. Until, she realizes that she has the power to change it. As her good thoughts multiple and multiple, they outshine the bad one. Clark effortlessly weaves the text with powerful, yet sparse words that transcend age, while Macon’s striking illustrations set the just-right mood throughout the story. So lovely! I highly recommend CATCHING THOUGHTS for all children, as well as teens and adults! It is a must-read for our times.

[Hanieh Sadat Shobeiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this a ten star.

[Marya · Rating 4 out of 5]

پس من یه فکر خیلی خوب برمی‌دارم! 🎈

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl has a bad thought that is plaguing her and just won't leave her alone. She finally finds the secret to keeping it at bay by thinking about things that are true, and beautiful, and full of joy.

A good reminder for kids and adults of how to capture those thoughts and replace them with what is good, lovely, true, etc. (I don't know whether it was intentional or not, but the text parallels Philippians 4:8.) You could read the book with the bad thought representing depression, but it is just as easy to interpret as a worry or lie about herself. Whatever the case, the action is easy to do and really does help. A great little book to boost mental health.

[Lena Crogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every year to my students. It teaches the importance of how to not let’s the bad/sad thoughts creep into your everyday life. Every time I read it, it reminds me of how I need to practice not letting these thoughts creep in. Some children’s books speak louder to the ones who are reading it rather than the ones who are listening to it being read.

[Pine Reads Review]

“Have you ever had an unwelcome thought that you just couldn’t get rid of, no matter how hard you tried to push it away?”

Bonnie Clark makes this children’s book a must-read. She does an excellent job of showcasing how children can begin to navigate through their thoughts. Her book follows a little girl, who, no matter how hard she tries, can’t get an unwanted thought out of her mind. This unwanted thought takes the form of a dark balloon that follows her and grows bigger. She tries and tries to release it from her mind, and then finally notices light and colorful balloons. By using these balloons, which represent happy and joyful thoughts, she is able to push away the bad thought.

I think that this book is so important for children, to teach them that when they get thoughts that they don’t like — whether they are sad or angry — that it is okay to be upset and to take it in, but that there are so many other things that can fill our minds. By using the balloon as a symbol for thoughts (grey and dark for those more serious thoughts, and beautiful colors to represent happy and light thoughts), Clark explains in a simplistic way how to grasp onto the greater things in life.

Even as a twenty-year-old, I still enjoyed reading this book because it reminded me that I too can use the reassurance that even if dark thoughts may come, there are so many positives in life. This book is the perfect gateway to parents and teachers having conversations with children about being mindful of their thoughts and emotions. I think that learning about emotions, being mindful, and harnessing the power to control what we feel and do is something everyone should learn. This is definitely a book I wish that I had read when I was growing up.

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank Beaming Books for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes taken are from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

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[Luna Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catching Thoughts by Bonnie Clark and Summer Macon is a gentle, insightful, and empowering picture book that offers children meaningful tools for understanding and managing their emotions. With warmth and clarity, the story addresses a universal experience: having an unwelcome thought that refuses to go away. Young readers will immediately relate to the frustration of trying to ignore, fight, or push away a troubling thought, only to find it lingering even more stubbornly.

The authors beautifully guide readers through a mindful shift in perspective. When the young protagonist finally pauses and greets her unwanted thought with curiosity and compassion, the story reveals a powerful truth: acknowledging difficult thoughts can help loosen their grip. This moment opens the door to noticing more positive, calming thoughts, teaching children that while they can’t always control what appears in their minds, they can choose what they focus on and nurture.

Summer Macon’s illustrations perfectly complement the reflective tone of the story. Soft, expressive artwork captures the emotional journey with sensitivity, creating a calm visual space that mirrors the mindfulness message at the heart of the book. Each page invites quiet reflection, making it ideal for read-alouds or moments of gentle conversation.

Catching Thoughts is a valuable resource for families, educators, and counselors supporting children through anxiety, sadness, or overwhelming feelings. Its message is simple yet profound, offering reassurance without minimizing emotional struggles. This thoughtful, comforting book helps children build emotional awareness, resilience, and self-compassion, skills that will support them well beyond childhood.

[Randi Sonenshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this timely, accessible, and important book, Bonnie Clark gently demonstrates for young readers how to rid themselves of persistent negative thoughts. Using a storm cloud-colored balloon to represent the unwanted thought, Clark provides a concrete symbol that is easily relatable for young children. As the main character discovers a way to push out the nagging thought, the stormy balloon is replaced by light, colorful balloons, representing thoughts that are, among other wonderful things, lovely, true, hopeful, and calm. The bouncy, colorful illustrations perfectly suit the text and draw in the reader. This book provides the perfect way to help young children deal with any kind of negative thought, such as those born of anxiety, anger, fear, depression, and jealousy. It would make a wonderful addition to any home or library.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a guide, of sorts, of how to manage your emotional reactions to your thoughts. It shows in balloon form how thoughts are our thoughts may have power over our emotions and sometimes when we feel they are overwhelming thoughts we may feel anger, pain, exhaustion, or frustration. Using the balloon illustration illustrator, Summer Macon, invites the child to acknowledge the unwanted thought and release it in order to choose bright and beautiful good thoughts instead.

I like these illustrations and the imagery of the balloons for something we can choose to keep or set free. Bonnie Clark has gifted children with a tangible way to examine and improve their own thinking. I am certain this is a needed concept sometime in each of our lives.

[Carolyn Leiloglou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Negative thoughts can be persistent, as the young girl in CATCHING THOUGHTS quickly learns. Sometimes they just won’t leave you alone. The only way to push them out of your mind is to catch new thoughts that are good and true and hopeful.

I love that this book is based on Philippians 4:8, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” It’s so important to teach kids that even when unwelcome thoughts come, they can choose which thoughts to dwell on.

This illustrations by summer macon are inviting, childlike, and joyful. Plus, who doesn’t love balloons!

[Candace Spizzirri · Rating 5 out of 5]

CATCHING THOUGHTS is a beautiful, empowering picture book that teaches kids that they have control over their own thoughts. That they can chose. When a negative thought will not go away, a little girl sets out to catch thoughts that are beautiful, lovely, hopeful, and calming. These positive thoughts multiply and outweigh the negative. It is especially helpful during these difficult times to focus one’s mind on the positive. Thank you, Bonnie Clark for this gorgeous and timely book. Macon’s illustrations are perfect. An important story for kids and adults alike!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl has this bad thought that looms in her mind and seems to get bigger and bigger and she can't get rid of it. That is until she sees a small, but still significant and beautiful thought. She chooses to let go of the bad thought and collect more beautiful thoughts.

The bad thought is illustrated as a dark grey balloon whereas the beautiful ones are colorful. I liked how this is a simple and clear way for young ones to understand how to acknowledge the yucky feelings they may have (anger, disappointment, sadness, etc.) and let them go while grabbing onto more positive thoughts.

[Tirzah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a friendly book to teach children about the reality of unwanted thoughts. Even better, the book teaches children a positive way to keep those thoughts at bay. I have a few students prone to fixate and worry; this book would be beneficial to them. It was beneficial for me! Sometimes simple is what the adult mind needs rather than textbook advice. Looking back, I had tendencies to obssess as a child, but age and world experience has increased that, so I related to this book and know children prone to worry will as well.

[Monica Acker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this book in my life. The visual of the thoughts floating by just waiting for a person to grab a hold of. The beautiful simplicity of the words. Catching Thoughts is a picture book, often thought to be for ages 4-8, but this is for ages 4-adult. The concept is simple enough that reading Catching Thoughts to my 4 year old helped her with a nightmare yet so impactful that I reference it to myself when life during COVID feels overwhelming. It is an important addition to any bookshelf.

[Jolene Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shares how negative thoughts can fill a person's mind and offers a wonderful strategy to combat that: the main character begins noticing beautiful thoughts. As the main character surrounds herself with wonderful thoughts, the original negative thought lingers. The main character acknowledges the negative thought and asks it to leave. This beautiful book is recommended for parents, teachers, and libraries--school counselors will want this book in their toolbox as well!

[Charlotte Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a girl is tormented by a negative thought (kind of like that awful inner critic some of us have harassing us inside our heads), she devises a genius method of taming it - by confronting it and replacing the troubling thought with a true, excellent, hopeful, lovely, joyful thought. What a powerful, uplifting message for children and adults. The lively illustrations accentuate this empowering text. Highly recommended!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using balloons to help kids visualize thoughts as something tangible, kids learn that thoughts, good or bad, are things they can interact with and have some control over. The color palette shifts from dark to vibrant as the main character catches thoughts that are HOPEFUL, LOVELY, TRUE, and EXCELLENT. The simple text recognizes that negative thoughts don't go away completely, but by practicing mindfulness, these thoughts don't have to dominate. An empowering and uplifting read!

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is an excellent teaching tool and depiction of negative emotions and thought life for young children. In this story, a girl is struggling with negative thoughts but she decides to take charge and think more positive thoughts. The "thoughts" are portrayed as balloons, an image relatable to a child. An empowering choice for children dealing with anxious or sad thoughts, and a good starting point for conversations about thought life.

[Serena Gingold Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this story exists! It’s such an important thing to talk about with children, who can often become fixated on seemingly unimportant things. As an adult reading it, I was reminded that I too can let go of things and focus on the positive—so important these days. I love how the illustrations grow more colorful during the course of the book.

[Louise Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book for discussing mental health with small children. I think there was some room to explore and expand the emotions surrounding the thoughts, this could make it relevant for discussing mental health affecting others. Children soak up information and can cope with more than we give them credit for.
The illustrations are delightful!

[Cheryl Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and beautifully told book on a little girl dwelling on a bad thought and learning to catch new thoughts that are beautiful and true and hopeful. This is a wonderful book for all children and provides a great tool for kids who might have anxious thoughts and what to do with them. so well done!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great way to start a discussion about things kids worry about. We also did a Go Noodle that is about banishing thoughts we don't want. The GoNoodle didn't have ideas about how to do that. It just said to do it but this book gives the suggestion to fill your mind with good thoughts to get rid of the bad thoughts.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book with a metaphor that went on too long (or felt a little too on-the-nose). The transition from the bad thought to the better thoughts didn't feel entirely authentic. I wanted a little something more to get the main character to make the shift. I think this book would be good for kids to think about how they are in charge of their thoughts and moods more than they might think.

[Two BookWorms Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Together the text and illustrations will help children deal with those dark thoughts that sometimes occupy our minds. It’s an excellent resource for families to share.

For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who suffers from “bad thoughts” often, I love how this book shows how to gather better thoughts in order to minimize the bad ones. It’s a little too simplistic but I still like it. I wish there was some backmatter with mindful techniques or suggestions.