Just Be You: Ask Questions, Set Intentions, Be Your Special Self, and More

by Mallika Chopra, Brenna Vaughan (Illustrator)

Teach your kids how to understand their emotions and communicate in a healthy and productive way with this full-color guide to growth from Mallika Chopra, the daughter of Deepak Chopra. Following in the footsteps of wellness author Mallika Chopra's successful Just Breathe and Just Feel , her third book, Just Be You, is an engaging, easy-to-read guide for young kids to learn tools that will help them live a good life. The United States and other nations are quickly becoming aware of the importance of children's ability to be independent and meet challenges head on; parents are eager for resources that help kids learn how to navigate life on their own. Just Be You will help kids become focused on growth mindset by self-reflection, setting intentions for their lives, and being of service to themselves, their families, and the global community. Designed specifically with kids ages 8-12 in mind and with full-color illustrations throughout, Mallika's book offers mindful exercises to help young people explore and find their voice. Mallika believes that if children learn early on to reflect, to be comfortable with uncertainty, to contribute in a way that's unique to them, and to feel good about the journey, they will lead healthier, more adjusted, and happier lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

120 pages, Paperback

Published March 2, 2021

About the author

MALLIKA CHOPRA is the successful author of two previous gift books for parents, 100 Promises to My Baby and 100 Questions from My Child. She is a busy mom of two, a successful entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of Intent.com and Intentblog, a successful social media site and its sister blog. Chopra grew up in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and graduated from Concord Academy, Brown University, and the Kellogg School of Management.

Reviews

[Janeen Pizzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I listened to this one and found myself just wanting the text in front of me so I could actually reflect in my journal (without having to pause and re-listen to the prompt) LOL. I find it interesting that a text that's written for young girls to help them identify their goals, intentions and life's desires is also written for a woman in her late 30's in need of the same message and self-work. Reading it with Untamed too...talk about a month of self-help.

[Mandy Genge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this middle school book that focuses on intentions, balance, and YOU. There are easy activities to participate in at the end of each section too. This book is a great "101" for high schoolers and grown-ups who want to get their toes wet with this topic!

[Andrea Frazee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Shila Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. Has me thinking even more deeply about how I talk to children and young adults who are in my life, and who come into my life about their environment, their experiences, those feelings, and how to transform their feelings into knowledge. I’ve worked with all groups of young people. This book can only make our experiences together even more real. I see it is of most importance to instill in our youth the ability to listen and sit still and think things through.

I would turn the “wants” to “I am” … when setting intentions. I would turn the desires into learning to align with why you manifested into human form… learn what you need to sustain a harmonious existence… I would turn “I can” to “I do.” I love that this book talks about setting intentions and using rituals to create good habits.

It talks about how to think about who you are, but to not get trapped in the worlds definitions of you.

I am wondering, is there a way to instill these things early on in our children, so that a human doesn’t have to learn them after the fact, after going through so much pain and adversity. Is it possible to teach a human being very early on to balance their emotions, connect to their center, etc. or must every divine being in our species go through a series of experiences that have to reveal to them the absolute truth? Hmmmm. Is this part of being born. Does a person have to learn peace or can they know to always connect to the Source because that is the thing that is peace. All else will come from that? Our forgetfulness… being born is a forgetful process… I’m digging this book.

[Cat D | _basicbookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that helps teach children to have a growth mindset, understand thier emotions and themselves, set intentions, and be themselves.

Some highlights for me:
- Contains multiple meditation practices
- Teaches children to acknowledge and appreciate their differences -
- Very inclusive: mentions everything from physical disabilities, allergies, mental illness, learning differences, names, language, family structure, gender identity, sexuality, race, culture, religion, etc.
- Guiding questions for students to work through with themselves or their family to help understand their identity in different ways
- Opportunities to learn about people different from the reader
- Talks about setting intentions

As someone who emphasizes growth mindset in my classroom, I was really excited to check it out! I think this book would be better to work through with parents, but that being said, there were definitely some chapters and exercises I would love to work through as a whole class. Maybe as a monthly growth mindset lesson. I would recommend this for upper elementary and middle school students.

Thank you LibroFM, Mallika Chopra, Running Press Kids and Hachette Audio, for the advanced copy of this audiobook. Just Be You will be released March 1st.

[Conner McNeely · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book for not only kids (which is who it is designed for), but for everyone. It teaches the reader/listener to stop doing, and just be. It teaches the reader/listener to stop going and going, and to stop and appreciate every facet of what we have in life. This is a great introduction to mindfulness for all. I believe it would be a great “after recess listen” for upper elementary grades, and could be of great use for teenagers as well in middle schools and high schools. Our world needs more works like this one. I highly recommend it for use in the classroom and at home.

[Elaine Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

grades 4-8
This is a really neat book that helps kids connect with the kind of person they want to be. It has some different sections, and then each section has 1-2 pages to read or do a mindfulness exercise. The same author also did Just Breathe and Just Feel. I like that it starts with the self and then opens up to gratitude and compassion.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a great way to introduce upper elementary and middle school age kids to growth mindset and social emotional skills. The book is not too long and includes quick exercises to help kids learn to reflect and explore what makes them who they are.

[Kara Sofilka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for upper elementary/middle school students. Some wonderful mindfulness activities, and I think this would be beneficial for them because it causes them to think outside of themselves while also thinking of themselves.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and well written. Easily read and appealing. I picked subjects I was interested in and found the advice good for a 74 year old retiree as well as young people. I was looking for programs for a group in church and these work well.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this book exists for middle and high schoolers. I wish I would’ve had something like this to learn more about myself in those important years.

[Janey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loves this book for older children and for myself! Great lessons and easy to put into practice.

[Lauren Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely fantastic. I would recommend this for both kids and adults.
Its clearly meant for kids, but it gave me a lot to think about for myself as well.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Libro.fm for sharing this as part of the educator monthly subscription.

This is an excellent book for preteens and teens to guide them in ways to discover who they truly are. So often at that age children are trying to fit into the mold their parents have established, or trying to fit the mold/expectations of their peer group.

In her melodic voice, author Mallika Chopra encourages individuals to ask questions, set intentions, and work to discover their personal, unique identity. Learning these self exploration skills at a young age will only enhance one’s life. These are skills many don’t learn until their 30s or 40s, and sadly some never learn.

Share this with the young people in your life and may it be a catalyst for growing a strong, self assured next generation.

Audience - preteens, teens, and anyone who loves individuals in those age groups.