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If you know a kid or teen experiencing a life challenge, we have a book for them. For nearly 40 years, Free Spirit has been publishing books for kids on grief and loss, health and wellness, depression and other mental illnesses, stress, social skills and friendship, anger management, LGBTQ issues, family, self-confidence, and more. We’ve helped educators and parents build a library of books that support children’s social and emotional development from birth through high school.

Plus, our picture books include additional information for adults, so that after reading the book with a child, you can keep the conversation and the support going. We’re giving you a peek into one of the hundreds of books that provide practical strategies for adults to help kids: I’m Happy-Sad Today: Making Sense of Mixed Together Feelings by Lory Britain, Ph.D. Read the excerpt.

This month’s Upbeat News also features a spotlight on the picture book Violet the Snowgirl, a story that helps children experiencing grief and loss develop positive coping skills. For additional ways of supporting children’s social and emotional development with books, read on. Also be sure to grab our free download this month, “Who Am I?” from Dream Up Now, to help teens talk to and affirm the person who matters most—themselves.
Special Offer
Get free shipping on orders over $75 from freespirit.com. Sale ends December 31, 2021. Use code FSDEC at checkout.

*Excludes already discounted sets, clearance items, and eBooks.
Picture Book Spotlight
School social worker and author Lisa L. Walsh was inspired to write Violet the Snowgirl after a real-life discussion of loss in a classroom of eight-year-olds. Grief and loss can be complex feelings. Violet the Snowgirl uses the analogy of a snowman to help children develop positive coping skills so they can process change, like moving to a new school, and offers strategies for dealing with more difficult loss, like divorce or death. Learn more.
Recommended Resources
Part of the Learning About Me & You social skills series, this board book is about recognizing and understanding emotions.

Ages 2–4 | $8.99 | Learn More
Help kids understand and manage anxiety to boost their mental health and well-being.

Ages 9–13 | $14.99 | Learn More
Provide teens with lecture-free and factual information about a range of addictions, from drugs and alcohol to electronic devices and social media.

Ages 13 & up | $14.99
Check out more social and emotional learning books for toddlers, kids, and teens here.
Tips & Tools from the Free Spirit Blog
Guest bloggers Tina Zureick and Craig Dunlap share how their second graders produced video book reviews, a project to help promote literacy in their school and teach students about persuasive writing. Read now.
Elizabeth Verdick, coauthor of the Happy Healthy Baby series, writes about the value of reading to babies. You’re not just bonding, you’re promoting language and social skills. Tips for starting a reading routine are also included. Read now.
Recent Review
“This entertaining and thought-provoking tome takes on screen time and its impact on the teenage body, mind, and soul.”—Booklist


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What’s your favorite Free Spirit title?
Tell us! Visit freespirit.com, select the product that has helped you the most in your work with kids, and leave us a review.
Free Download
In the “Who Am I?” prompt from Dream Up Now, teens spend time talking to and affirming the person who matters most—themselves.

Find Free Spirit
Meet up with us online! Check out the Free Spirit Publishing blog, with more than 1,000 articles featuring tips and tools for educators, counselors, and parents. And view our webinar archive at freespirit.com/webinar.

Questions? Send me an email; my inbox is always open.

Suzy Winther, Senior Marketing Specialist