Just a Thought: Exploring Your Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Mind!

by Jason Gruhl, Ignasi Font (Illustrator)

A playful, read-aloud exploration of all the different thoughts we have every day and their role in our lives.

“Sharks rule!” “That’s gross.” “I love tofu.” “Is she from Montreal?” Whether our thoughts are happy, sad, scared, excited, or worried, they come in a constant flow.

Through playful rhyming text and vivid, fun illustrations,  Just a Thought  introduces kids 4–8 to the way our lives are shaped by our thoughts. The story helps to teach self-awareness by recognizing negative self-thought and recurring thought patterns.
 
Regardless of whether you have happy, weird, or mean thoughts—they are all just thoughts, and no single thought can define you. The magic of mind is that it's a space where anything is possible!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Mental Health, Psychology

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 21, 2021

About the author

Jason Gruhl believes that all kids are smart, brave, kind, and creative, and he writes books to help them remember that. As an Author and Psychotherapist for children and adults, Jason is dedicated to making a difference in people's lives and to helping them realize their power and potential.

Jason is a former Special Educator and the former Executive Director and Founder of The Joshua School (a school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities in Boulder and Denver, Colorado). He holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology (www.gruhlcounseling.com).

When not writing, Jason is addicted to scones, board games, reading, and sci-fi movies.

Reviews

[SamSamSam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like this book asked really great questions, but far too many of them to explore in one book. I think this would have benefitted from honing in a little, and maybe losing the rhyme scheme to actually focus on the ideas it wants to present.

[Maureen Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I called a co-worker, and texted a friend about this book immediately after I was done reading it.
In my 30s, my therapist introduced me to the idea, we are not our thoughts, and it took me a while to untangle that. This book is able to describe this idea with such clarity that I had an out loud, A-Ha, moment. This story is a great foundation to work from, and continue looking into the idea of, we are not our thoughts.

[MookNana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great book to help kids understand how our thoughts work and what they mean. In an accepting, matter-of-fact way, kids can learn that thoughts come in all sizes and flavors, for many reasons or seemingly no reason at all. Kids are encouraged to acknowledge their thoughts and examine them, but not to give them outsize influence.

This would do well for a circle time or small group book for a wide range of ages--I'd say pre-K up through late elementary. There is a lot of potential to spark great conversation and a helpful exercise is provided at the end to reinforce the concept as well. The illustrations are fun, creative, and lively and will definitely hold attention while enhancing the story.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was amazing and it would be really great for storytimes! I think kids and even adults definitely need to read this book to know that your thoughts don’t have to define you. They’re just thoughts that come and go.

[Lauren Geier · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can tell from the get go that Jason is a therapist. He just gets it. Working with our young clients on cognitive coping can be difficult. Building an emotional vocabulary is easy because it is more tangible. We see the behaviors that accompany feelings. Thoughts are different. It can be hard for a young kid to understand reframing and the role of self talk, positive or negative. Additionally, convincing clients (really of any age) that some thoughts are automatic and don’t mean that we have to act on them OR that by having them, we are broken or bad can be a HARD sell.

“Just a Thought” does EXACTLY this and more! This beautiful picture book normalizes thinking and breaks it down into language that kids are going to understand. The words are rhythmic and the illustrations are dynamic. Not only are you going to be able to read this book in its entirety during your counseling sessions, but you can also break it down into components for deeper dives into automatic thinking, the cognitive triangle, and ideas for slowing thoughts through meditation and mindfulness.

[Novel Obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Jason Gruhl’s Just a Thought, many ideas are going through our young characters’ mind. Some of the thoughts are good, some are not so good, and many are random. The book seems to have a very targeted audience – children between 4 and 8 who are struggling with some of the thoughts they are having. In that respect, this book is a great way for adult caregivers to talk about the many different thoughts we have, including thoughts we may not wish to have. However, for many children, you can pass on reading this book, as it isn’t truly a storybook and not something one would just read for fun.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by Shambhala Publications.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Forced rhyme is, imo, inappropriate/bad fit. Illustrations that frustratingly don't match text are hugely annoying. With proper execution, this book could have been perfect for me, even though I'm over a half century older than the target audience. I do very much appreciate the back matter, though. If you, too, have thoughts that scurry around and screw up your mind & your sleep & your self-mastery, you might want to check this out for the note in the back, maybe.

[jyweniverel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for children and adults. A reminder that we are not our thoughts, nor are we what others would think of us. We have the right to act on our thoughts or let them float away like a cloud. Beautiful illustrations help to bring this life affirming lesson to the forefront of our thoughts. Certainly made me think…or should I think….yes, I think this is a must read!

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rhyming book about a boy and his racing, jumbled thoughts. Most of the book illustrates how different thoughts can affect us in different ways. The last few pages finally give the suggestion, "Most thoughts can just be left alone -- no need to judge or fear." There's a brief guide to meditation on the last page. Not a fan of the font.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a thought: exploring your weird, wacky, and wonderful brain.
By Jason Gruhl
Found in a fourth grade classroom, talks about all the abstract and momentarily thoughts that children have. The book shows the value of mental focus, and relaxation. It's a way that students slow down before the speak to read their circumstances before they share their thoughts.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Shambhala Publications, Inc., Bala Kids for a free digital copy.

What a great description for kids of how our thoughts work and how we can control them. I loved the illustrations and how they pair so beautifully with the message.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea behind this book… to treat our thoughts with curiosity rather than judgement. But the rhyme scheme was stifled and detracted from the message a bit. I still loved the message of the book though.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Y.Poston]

Lovely thought meditation & exploration for children and adults alike!
Beautiful illustrations, too.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kid explores his thoughts and emotions, wondering where they come from and why. I like the meditation exercise in the back matter. Rhyming text and lively art.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations but it's still hard to talk to a child about their thoughts.