Calm

by Jillian Roberts

" When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it's our job to share our calm, not to join their chaos ." ―L.R. Knost This soothing board book by child psychologist, professor and author Dr. Jillian Roberts was written to remind us that the little people in our lives need us to be their calm. To recognize their big feelings, teach them how to honor them and let them go. A valuable tool to help young ones learn to co-regulate, Calm is just as much for babies as it is the adults in their lives.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Juvenile

20 pages, Board Book

Published February 15, 2022

Reviews

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My dear little one, if you are upset, I promise to share my calm."

Beautiful words and lovely photos of diverse parents (two Black dads! A lesbian couple! An interracial couple!)

Soothing to read but also instructive for parents!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It is an excellent book for parents and children.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

"My dear little one,
if you are upset
I promise to share
my calm."

This little picture book offers a way to teach very young children (and their parents) how to calm down when they are overwhelmed.

[Ms. Arca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is sweet and a good one for caregivers and babies. And so important!!

I’m wary of a promise to always share calm - the idea is nice but also would want my promise to mean something that’s true always / kiddos to learn to find their own calms and trust and practice for themselves some, too. Not to mention and caregivers are human and will mess up / make mistakes or not find their calm sometimes, too. Thats something I think kiddos deserve to see modeled and explained and talked through, and apologized to when we adults flop!

If this book was a little more realistic (for kids to expect of their caregivers and for caregivers to expect of themselves!) and kind in that all around way and more holistic about humans who make mistakes and learn and grow .. then I think it would be pretty close to perfect.

I bought it anyways. But it’s good not great. It’s a start at a real concept that’s important, but then too fluffy and unrealistic to truly teach the lesson I’d want to share.

[MookNana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent beginning board book to help small people deal with very big feelings. The pictures are great for illustrating emotions and helping kids learn to recognize and name them. The text is simple and sweet--a reassuring rhyme to let readers know they'll be supported in processing their feelings.

Kids will engage well with the vivid photos and they depict families of all kinds, so most kids will be able to recognize themselves on the page. This is appropriate for toddlers and the very youngest pre-K kids, so it would be great to have on hand in a classroom library as a way to start conversations about strong emotions.

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

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the pictures and message of this book! I want to read it again with Momma and Daddy.

[Bianca Orellana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written and a beautiful representation of all different types of families!

[Megan Gery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the message and the diversity of the families shown. R (7 months) really liked all the babies and big kids.

[Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A promise from parents to their children: "I will be there for you when you are upset or sad."