Wonderful Me: A First Guide to Taking Care of Yourself

Discover simple ways children can look after themselves, from naming feelings and moving their body, to building boundaries, and caring for their friends!

Learning to look after yourself is an important part of growing up, and it can also be fun! By being mindful of their mental, physical, and social wellbeing, children can be more confident in navigating tricky situations and new experiences. Whether it is taking care of their senses, learning about respect, or unwinding when they feel overwhelmed, this book is packed full of helpful ideas and tips for little ones and their grown-ups.

Written by clinical psychologist and author, Nancy Shapiro, who believes that teaching children how to care for themselves can help them in later life, this book’s impactful information is balanced out by cute and bright illustrations from Vânia Sacramento.

This book will teach little ones about:

• Sleep
• Caring for their senses
• Nutritious food
• Being active
• Learning new skills
• What to do when something doesn’t feel right
• Checking in with their body
• Friendships
• Boundaries
• Time alone and time with others
• Asking for help
• Knowing their opinion and how to say ’no’
• Expecting respect
• Naming their feelings
• Communication
• Caring for other people
• Unwinding

Wonderful Me is a fantastic first introduction for kids to key topics and skills that will help them to care for themselves as they grow and navigate the world they live in. With a sunny and cheerful color scheme, this book is comforting yet revolutionary, at a time when it’s becoming more important than ever to teach children these vital skills.

Dr. Nancy Shapiro helped found TurnUp Activism, a non-profit organization whose mission is promoting youth voter turnout and activism. She created and directs their training program that has helped over 1,000 young people on their path towards becoming civically engaged. She is also a clinical psychologist and has a side career performing and teaching the oboe. Her education has included a BA from Simon’s Rock of Bard College, MA from Lesley University and finally a Psy.D. from Antioch New England Graduate School. Outside of work, she is a mother of 3, plays tennis, composes music, cycles, and reads.

Vânia Sacramento is a Portuguese illustrator who loves drawing children, nature, and animals. Her style is colorful and whimsical, and celebrates the diversity of our world. She lives in Frankfurt, Germany with her husband and son.