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Honeycake: Help I Swallowed a Butterfly
Help I Swallowed A Butterfly, is the second book in the delightful Honeycake series. In this sequel, Nala gets stage fright at school. But with the help of her mom, Nala learns how to get rid of those pesky butterflies in her tummy. This charming book empowers young readers to practice mindfulness and meditation so that they are able to meet life's challenges head-on in a healthy and balanced way. Help I Swallowed A Butterfly is clearly written and incredibly relatable, with step-by-step instructions and guided meditation exercises for young readers. This book is also a valuable resource for caregivers who want to provide a positive introduction for children to the world of self-care and managing those butterflies.
Life can be stressful at any age, but with the right tools and mindset, we can overcome any obstacle!
Life can be stressful at any age, but with the right tools and mindset, we can overcome any obstacle!
32 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2019
15 people want to read
About the author
Medea Kalantar
6 books178 followersMedea Kalantar, a Reiki Master/Practitioner, a Guinness World Record Holder and a multi-award-winning best selling author of a new children’s book series titled Honeycake.
Inspired to write these books when she learned she would become a grandmother, Kalantar’s stories are based on her own family, whose members come from many ethnic backgrounds. This unique mix is a perfect recipe—just like the spices in a honey cake. That is why she calls her grandchildren her little Honeycakes.
With all the negativity in the world today, Kalantar’s series is a much-needed glimmer of positivity. The Honeycake series teaches valuable life lessons, giving children the tools to overcome obstacles in their everyday lives.
The Honeycake books teach children about diversity, kindness, mindfulness, trust, and gratitude. This series will enlighten, empower, educate, and entertain children for generations to come.
“No matter where we come from or what colour our skin is, we are all one race ... the human race. We are all one!” says Kalantar.
Canadian author Medea Kalantar immigrated from Georgia U.S.S.R. when she was four years old. She is now a proud grandmother of two grandsons.
Inspired to write these books when she learned she would become a grandmother, Kalantar’s stories are based on her own family, whose members come from many ethnic backgrounds. This unique mix is a perfect recipe—just like the spices in a honey cake. That is why she calls her grandchildren her little Honeycakes.
With all the negativity in the world today, Kalantar’s series is a much-needed glimmer of positivity. The Honeycake series teaches valuable life lessons, giving children the tools to overcome obstacles in their everyday lives.
The Honeycake books teach children about diversity, kindness, mindfulness, trust, and gratitude. This series will enlighten, empower, educate, and entertain children for generations to come.
“No matter where we come from or what colour our skin is, we are all one race ... the human race. We are all one!” says Kalantar.
Canadian author Medea Kalantar immigrated from Georgia U.S.S.R. when she was four years old. She is now a proud grandmother of two grandsons.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 6, 2021
We can overcome any obstacle!
I wish there were books like this when I was a child. Anxiety can be overlooked or brushed under the rug. In the second book of the HoneyCake Series, Kalantar skillfully diffuses this often delicate and uncomfortable topic through a well-composed tale of empathy and compassion that is enhanced by the charming artwork. Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help ease the burden of anxiety at any age. A must-have for all early readers and a wonderful gift!
I wish there were books like this when I was a child. Anxiety can be overlooked or brushed under the rug. In the second book of the HoneyCake Series, Kalantar skillfully diffuses this often delicate and uncomfortable topic through a well-composed tale of empathy and compassion that is enhanced by the charming artwork. Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help ease the burden of anxiety at any age. A must-have for all early readers and a wonderful gift!
July 16, 2020
I received the books from the author in exchange of an honest review.
A sweet book about anxiety, butterflies in your stomach, and also how to clear them out. At times I found it a bit too text-heavy and it became a bit too serious for me. But I still appreciate the message and I am happy that Nala has a way to combat those butterflies. Though I have to be honest and say that it may not always work. Just from experience. I also have stage fright/unease if I have to talk to a lot of people, and at times the technique works.. but there are also times I am just too anxious. I did have a laugh how Nala really thought she had eaten a butterfly, that was adorable.
A sweet book about anxiety, butterflies in your stomach, and also how to clear them out. At times I found it a bit too text-heavy and it became a bit too serious for me. But I still appreciate the message and I am happy that Nala has a way to combat those butterflies. Though I have to be honest and say that it may not always work. Just from experience. I also have stage fright/unease if I have to talk to a lot of people, and at times the technique works.. but there are also times I am just too anxious. I did have a laugh how Nala really thought she had eaten a butterfly, that was adorable.
November 30, 2019
ALSO, I LOOOOVED IIITTTT!!! IT'S JUST SO ADORABLE! AND SO INTERESTINGLY HELPFUL TOO! AS SOMEONE WHO REALLY SUFFERS STAGE FRIGHT IT'S INCREDIBLE HOW SOMETHING SO SIMPLE CAN HELP ME. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE! AND I'M CRAVING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION TECHNIQUES!!
November 8, 2019
Medea does it again! My 8 year old grandson was having anxiety at school and because he loved the first book from the Honeycake series he could relate to how Nala was feeling. We loved the step by step meditation and deep breathing exercises. This is a great book for kids to introduce them to the world of self care and mindfulness. Can’t wait for book 3!
August 10, 2019
This book equips children with the tools needed to address stressful issues that kids face today. Medea Kalantar introduces young readers to the concept of mindfulness through the practice of meditation, to deal with anxiety and nervousness in a healthy and balanced way. These are such precious and valuable lessons that will benefit all children, bravo Medea Kalantar for providing such inspiring messages.
October 24, 2019
FNtadtic follow up book in the Honeycake Serues. Medea is an absolute gem of a writer!
February 6, 2020
Anxiety made simple to help kids. Medea Kalantar's book has a powerful metaphor for anxiety: butterflies in Nala's tummy. This cute book certainly will help kids to cope with anxiety.
January 1, 2021
Help I Swallowed a Butterfly is a lovely book which will help your child to understand their emotions. Children quite often complain that they feel sick or that their tummy hurts when they feel nervous about something. (They can also take what adults say quite literally which can lead to misunderstanding. I'll never forget the time my daughter came home to tell me that her teacher had eyes in the back of her head!)
In this story Nala is asked to read aloud in school which is a common childhood fear. She experiences a nervous flutter in her tummy and her teacher says that she has butterflies in her tummy. Nala then worries even more because she genuinely believes that she has swallowed a butterfly! This was sweetly written; you could really see the warmth of the relationship between mother and daughter.
I loved that when Nala came home and shared her worry she was listened to and taken seriously. This would encourage children to share their fears. She was asked to explain herself more fully and given some techniques to use to help herself to keep calm.
Help I Swallowed A Butterfly is a comforting read that I could imagine would work well being shared at home for the younger reader. It would be a great addition to any library’s self-help shelf and could be recommended by a school counsellor as they also teach this breathing technique to calm anxiety.
Great to see diverse characters in a book for this age range too.
Recommended reading age 6-10 years.
In this story Nala is asked to read aloud in school which is a common childhood fear. She experiences a nervous flutter in her tummy and her teacher says that she has butterflies in her tummy. Nala then worries even more because she genuinely believes that she has swallowed a butterfly! This was sweetly written; you could really see the warmth of the relationship between mother and daughter.
I loved that when Nala came home and shared her worry she was listened to and taken seriously. This would encourage children to share their fears. She was asked to explain herself more fully and given some techniques to use to help herself to keep calm.
Help I Swallowed A Butterfly is a comforting read that I could imagine would work well being shared at home for the younger reader. It would be a great addition to any library’s self-help shelf and could be recommended by a school counsellor as they also teach this breathing technique to calm anxiety.
Great to see diverse characters in a book for this age range too.
Recommended reading age 6-10 years.
December 30, 2019
Another darling book by this author. This book contains simple anxiety-reducing and positivity-increasing tips, explained in such a way that they are easy for a child to take in. I was particularly fond of the use of different font sizes, as it drew the eye where it was supposed to go, and clarified the story. The last page of the book summarizes its point in the shape of little Nala teaching her toys about her new-found trick!
To my understanding, this book is aimed at children around the age of six. While most of the book is fine for children of that age, I find that some of the pages use more grown-up language, which might be difficult for children to follow. The story functions fine with or without those pages, though, and they can be skipped if they are too difficult for the child.
To my understanding, this book is aimed at children around the age of six. While most of the book is fine for children of that age, I find that some of the pages use more grown-up language, which might be difficult for children to follow. The story functions fine with or without those pages, though, and they can be skipped if they are too difficult for the child.
January 25, 2020
Honeycake books are adorable!!!!!
As parents, we try our best to teach kids basic values, like kindness, gratitude, compassion, tolerance, etc. to help them become humane. The best way to teach them is by example.
Another way is BOOKS. I am glad I came across Honeycake series of books. Of all the 3 books in the series, I love ‘Honeycake – A Family of Spices’ the most.
The books follow the story Nala and her family. Every story has her learning something new in a warm family set up.
In A Family of Spices Medea Kalantar teaches Nala how to bake a honey cake. While helping her grandma bake the cake, Nala comes to know what a charming multicultural mix her family is! She sees and appreciates beauty in DIVERSITY and in herself. The recipe at the end is a BONUS!
In “Help, I Swallowed A Butterfly!” Nala learns how to get over ANXIETY and STAGE FRIGHT through meditation. Nala’s mother beautifully leads her through a breathing exercise routine and explains how it can help her bring positive changes in life.
Here’s a fun fact – The award-winning author Medea Kalantar is a Reiki Master and Practitioner!
In Special Magical Powers we see Nala discovering the magical power of smiles. She understands how KINDNESS and COMPASSION bring positivity all around.
Each book is unique and carries a strong message. The language is perfect for self-reading by young fluent readers. The stories flow naturally and are accompanied by interesting illustrations.
I’m glad my 9-year-old son read the books and came up with questions like “Are we also a family of spices?” “Is meditation really so powerful that I can achieve anything?”
I recommend all the 3 books in the series for kids aged 6 and above. Hope the author comes up with more such wonderful books!
As parents, we try our best to teach kids basic values, like kindness, gratitude, compassion, tolerance, etc. to help them become humane. The best way to teach them is by example.
Another way is BOOKS. I am glad I came across Honeycake series of books. Of all the 3 books in the series, I love ‘Honeycake – A Family of Spices’ the most.
The books follow the story Nala and her family. Every story has her learning something new in a warm family set up.
In A Family of Spices Medea Kalantar teaches Nala how to bake a honey cake. While helping her grandma bake the cake, Nala comes to know what a charming multicultural mix her family is! She sees and appreciates beauty in DIVERSITY and in herself. The recipe at the end is a BONUS!
In “Help, I Swallowed A Butterfly!” Nala learns how to get over ANXIETY and STAGE FRIGHT through meditation. Nala’s mother beautifully leads her through a breathing exercise routine and explains how it can help her bring positive changes in life.
Here’s a fun fact – The award-winning author Medea Kalantar is a Reiki Master and Practitioner!
In Special Magical Powers we see Nala discovering the magical power of smiles. She understands how KINDNESS and COMPASSION bring positivity all around.
Each book is unique and carries a strong message. The language is perfect for self-reading by young fluent readers. The stories flow naturally and are accompanied by interesting illustrations.
I’m glad my 9-year-old son read the books and came up with questions like “Are we also a family of spices?” “Is meditation really so powerful that I can achieve anything?”
I recommend all the 3 books in the series for kids aged 6 and above. Hope the author comes up with more such wonderful books!
April 11, 2020
Adults are not the only ones who experience anxiety. It appears to be manifesting in very young children as well. Medea Kalantar discussed anxiety and nervousness in a cute, relatable way.
I loved how Nala went back and explained the "butterflies in the stomach" to all her stuffed friends. Adorable.
Cute illustrations too!
I loved how Nala went back and explained the "butterflies in the stomach" to all her stuffed friends. Adorable.
Cute illustrations too!
November 8, 2019
This book saved my friend through a panic attack! It is a great book for children but also for adults. Wish I learned about these lessons when I was younger.
August 18, 2020
Honeycake "Help I Swallowed a Butterfly" is the second book in the Honeycake series. The main aim of this book is to teach kids how to deal with anxiety with the help of meditation, mindfulness and the hope of getting positive outcomes. The story starts with Nala coming back from school and rushing to her Mom.
She told her mom - "Help! I swallowed a butterfly 🦋". Nala's mom asked her "why do you think you have swallowed a butterfly"? Nala answered that when she wasn't able to read in class today, her teacher told that she has butterflies in her tummy. The story tells us about the importance of Deep Breathing.
The story gives a lesson to all the parents to listen to their kid's doubts/worries and help them to overcome it. This is a great book that kids will enjoy. Illustrations are nice and narration is also smooth. Parents kids will enjoy this book more if they read it together.
She told her mom - "Help! I swallowed a butterfly 🦋". Nala's mom asked her "why do you think you have swallowed a butterfly"? Nala answered that when she wasn't able to read in class today, her teacher told that she has butterflies in her tummy. The story tells us about the importance of Deep Breathing.
The story gives a lesson to all the parents to listen to their kid's doubts/worries and help them to overcome it. This is a great book that kids will enjoy. Illustrations are nice and narration is also smooth. Parents kids will enjoy this book more if they read it together.
February 15, 2020
For long, I searched in vain for a book to teach my children how to deal with anxiety and stressful situations..
Then I found "Help I Swallowed A Butterfly" by Media Kalantar!
This is a brilliant book with very precious lessons for children at all ages.
With warm loving tips and simple tools to how to meditate, my children and I, promptly, fell in love with the story.
I warmly recommend this lovely story and valuable book for all adults teaching their kids how to deal with life's different challenges through mindfulness and meditation.
Another gem from Author Medea Kalantar! Bravo!!!
October 21, 2019
Again this book is brilliant I just wish I had this book when I was younger it would have helped me through my first day of school and I do understand what that little girl went through in school. This will help parent who have got children.
March 1, 2021
Help, I swallowed a butterfly is a descriptive tale of the jitters or stagefright. The first time Nala experiences this emotion she is left speechless. Fear comes in many unrecognizable forms like butterflies in your belly, a brain freeze with a dropped jaw, and wordless. We've all been there. The gift of this book is discovering how to overcome stage fright. Nala practices the art of breathing through her anxiety. The butterflies come and go but knowing what the jitters are and how to deal with them is a gift.
January 21, 2020
This book features the main character from the first book from this series, Nala, who asks for her mother’s help in battling stage fright. Nala’s
Mother leads Nala through some breathing exercises. From my reading of it, it is best read by older kids as it deals with meditation, calming and slowing down, a concept that’s likely to be understood by older kids (older than 4 years old).
Mother leads Nala through some breathing exercises. From my reading of it, it is best read by older kids as it deals with meditation, calming and slowing down, a concept that’s likely to be understood by older kids (older than 4 years old).
December 21, 2019
It’s probably the sweetest way to teach a kid sthg about anxiety. So sweet. I liked it 💙
January 28, 2021
I’m a big fan of books that teach & promote life-long reading. This series is fantastic! Beautifully written life lessons that teach and inspire. Really well done.
January 14, 2020
This book is wonderful it's great for young children who are just starting to learn to read or a little higher level and there are colourfull pics to go with the book I will recommend this book to families who have young children's, or who are working and dealing with children in their community, overall it was a great reading experience with my little boy
November 10, 2019
Medea Kalantar did it again. Another fantastic book! My children and students all suffer with anxiety or stage fright. This book was such a great teaching tool with a step by step meditation and deep breathing exercises, but at the same time a wonderful story that every child could relate too! Can’t wait for the next book in the Honeycake series. What wonderful life lesson is Author Medea Kalantar have in store for our young readers next? Bravo!
November 10, 2019
Wow Medea Kalantar really hit the nail on the head with this book. My kids could so relate to the MC Nala emotions of anxiety. Great book for parents, grandparents and teachers to teach their children on how to overcome anxiety. Why isn’t this book in every library, or school? I’m so happy I was introduced to the Honeycake book series. Can’t wait for the next book!
November 10, 2019
Such an amazing book! I love the diversity of the characters and the message behind the book! Keep on writing!!!
July 23, 2019
Just like the first book in this series, I was touched by the love flowing through the lines of every page. The pictures express the same feeling. I think this book is a must read for children, parents, grand parents, great grand parents, aunts and uncles - anyone who loves children. Congratulations Medea Kalantar for such a wonderful story telling style with a deep message that, "We Are All One."
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews