FLOAT: A Guide to Letting Go Book by Aimee L Ruland (Author), Carl R Anderson (Illustrator)

Float: A Guide to Letting Go seeks to encourage children to process their emotions gently and in a way that allows them purposeful ownership of what they think and how they feel. It will aid them in identifying the root of their feelings, help them to examine their reactions to emotions and decide for themselves what they may be ready to release. The thoughtful use of color and symbols, and the guided practice of breathwork, encourages readers to maintain a broad focus as they become more grounded and aware. The playful rhyme dances with readers as they grow on their journey to the present, where they are beautifully set free.

Readers will enjoy:
- Learning how to identify and examine emotions
- Understanding how to release unwanted thoughts and feelings
- Permission to acknowledge, accept, feel and heal in a unique way

"Aimee Ruland's book, Float, is a masterpiece of creativity where the intangible becomes relatable, fun and beautifully depicted. Teaching children mindfulness, kindness and intention regarding their feelings might just be the most important lesson we can teach them. This book belongs on the shelf of every child--or anyone who has ever been a child." --Stephanie Wharton, M.Ed., INHC

"What a beautiful message for children of all ages! A brilliant example of emotions and feelings that may be difficult for children to define with words. Float is the perfect story to help a child's mind and body unwind at the end of the day. I found myself thinking about the message long after reading the story." --Tanya Swanson, kindergarten teacher

"Beautiful, soothing words to comfort children and guide them in using imagery to help deal with the weight of daily emotions." --Susan E. Slater, children's librarian

"Float does a great job blending imagery to relate to feelings of young children. The colors of the balloons are neatly tied into each feeling discussed in the book. The strategies are appropriate, simple and thought provoking. A great read!" --Matthew Menard, M.S., M.Ed., LPC

"Aimee Ruland is the Dr. Seuss of children's therapy books. My seven-year-old loves the book, and so do I." --Jeffrey Barkstrom, LAC

From the Growing with Love Series at Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com

I rated this book 5 *****'s

Colorful balloons and what does it mean

This is a very short children's book to read but the lessons that you will learn are bigger. Emotions are hard for kids to let go. The color of balloons have so many impacts to the kids mind and even adult as well. The illustrations are exceptionally brilliant. I loved them all. I highly recommend this book for kids especially dealing with emotions and how to help themselves. This story is one of a kind.

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Also available in audio format! 

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About the Author

Aimee L. Ruland is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, with degree concentrations in Psychology and Philosophy. She is an Applied Metapsychology facilitator, Certified Yoga Instructor, Usui Reiki practitioner, Access Bars practitioner, meditation guide, and mother.

She holds an affinity with birds of prey, studies in quantum mechanics, and sculpting with her daughter.

You can also follow the author here...
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Spotlight For the Book My Beautiful Detour by Amy Oestreicher

Book Details:

Book Title: MY BEAUTIFUL DETOUR: An Unthinkable Journey from Gutless to Grateful by Amy Oestreicher
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+) (529 pages)
Genre:  Memoir
Publisher:  Singing Tree Publishing
Release date:  November 2019
Tour dates: Nov 19 to Dec 17, 2019
Content Rating: PG-13

Book Description:

An estimated 70 percent of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives and up to 20 percent of these people go on to develop posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. An estimated 5 percent of Americans—more than 13 million people—have PTSD at any given time.

Amy Oestreicher was one of them. So, what happens when an ordinary teenager has to turn into a warrior just to survive? And can the journey through Post Traumatic Stress Disorder really become an “adventure?”

Amy had ambitious plans for college and a Broadway career, until her stomach exploded the week before her senior prom. Months later, she awoke from a coma to learn that she might never be able to eat or drink again. After years on IV nutrition, her first bite of food awakened her senses to life's ordinary miracles but also brought back memories of being sexually abused by a trusted mentor for months, just before the unexpected rush to the emergency room that fateful Passover night. With determination, imagination, relentless resilience, and an inner “hunger” for life, Amy created a roadmap where none existed. Her journey through life's unthinkable detours is nothing short of miraculous, but the creative path to healing she forged is accessible to anyone. As a survivor—and “thriver”—of abuse and extensive medical trauma, Amy discovered sources of resilience she didn’t know she had but it turns out we all possess. In this book, she creates a tapestry made from each of each thread of her journey, empowering others to find gratitude in every setback and discover their own infinite inner strength. Amy’s search for “home” proves to be the greatest test of cultivating resilience after near-death, and reclaiming identity after both sexual assault and medical trauma. Amy’s journey is ultimately a celebration of ordinary and extraordinary challenges and miracles.

In this coming of age story, Amy shares her struggles and discoveries living with both visible and invisible illness, the tremendous gifts to be reaped from trauma, its lessons which have illuminated her path, and how these gifts can be discovered as a unique, yet universal way to navigate any kind of uncertainty.

Interwoven through her remarkable story are insights on navigating any kind of uncertainty, including:

• What is a “detourist”– and why is it important to take those detours?
• The importance of detours for college students
• How to transition from being a “survivor” to a “thriver”
• Amy’s” Four Hardcore Skills” to resilience
• Finding your own uniqueness not through what’s happened to you, but what you choose to do with it
• The power of art to heal
• Our innate ability to be artists, and why creativity is an essential mindset
• How sharing your story becomes imperative to healing
• How humor is a way through
• Turn messes, mistakes and setbacks into creative detours

My Beautiful Detour offers practical strategies for individuals and unexpected tools for the families of trauma survivors, helping communities build new, limitless futures. The book includes numerous “trauma insights,” and is enriched with humor, art, poetry, and useful takeaways for readers. Reading one woman’s heroic adventure through trauma, recovery, and discovery of new directions in healing the body and the mind is an empowering tale of not just getting through, but thriving.

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About the Author:

AMY OESTREICHER is an international keynote speaker, Huffington Post columnist, actor, artist, songwriter, playwright, Audie Award-nominated PSTD peer-to-peer specialist, and author. A survivor of extensive medical trauma, including 27 surgeries, and sexual assault, she shares her life story and creative strategies with therapists, medical professionals, patients, sexual abuse victims, and general audiences nationwide. Creator of the #LoveMyDetour movement to inspire individuals to thrive because of, rather than in spite of, obstacles, she has been featured on the Today show, delivered three TEDx talks, and performed her one-woman musical, Gutless & Grateful, in more than 200 venues across the country. She is also a passionate voice in the ostomy community and presents narrative medicine workshops.

Connect with the author:

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Spotlight For The Book The Art of Taking It Easy by Dr. Brian King

Book Details:

Book Title: The Art of Taking It Easy by Dr. Brian King
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+)
Genre:  Literary/Self-Help/Humor
Publisher:  Apollo Publishers
Release date:  October 2019
Content Rating: PG-13+

Book Description: 

Psychologist and Comedian King explores the science behind stress in this witty, informed guide. The author uses a bevy of running jokes and punch lines to enliven technical explanations for how and why people experience stress. His metaphors of coming across a bear in the wild as well as being stuck in traffic are also used to great effect to explain a variety of stress responses, such as perceiving a threat and feelings of powerlessness. Reframing thoughts plays a large role in King's advice: Stress is simply a reaction to a perception of threat being able to consciously redirect choices made by other areas of the brain is the key to living a less stressful existence. He also provides breathing exercises, plants for painting physical health and useful advice for setting attainable goals. King's enjoyable guide to living with less will be of help to any anxious reader.

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About the Author:

DR. BRIAN KING trained as a neuroscientist and psychologist and for the past decade has traveled the world as a comedian and public speaker. By day he conducts seminars, attended by thousands of people each year around the US and internationally, on positive psychology, the health benefits of humor, and stress management. By night he practices what he teaches in comedy clubs, and is the founder and producer of the highly reviewed Wharf Room comedy show in San Francisco. Dr. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, a master’s degree from the University of New Orleans, and a PhD in neuroscience from Bowling Green State University. Hailing from New York and living in dozens of cities throughout the US as the child of a military family, today spends his life on the road with his partner, Sarah, and their young daughter.

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The Dog-Eared Diary: A Chrissy the Shih Tzu Mystery Book by Diane Wing

In this second installment in the series, Chrissy digs up clues to help Autumn solve a historical disappearance and a modern-day murder mystery

Autumn Clarke is getting her life back to normal with the help of her extraordinary shih tzu, Chrissy, when the death of a local philanthropist reveals the man's dark family secrets, as well as unexpected ties to Autumn. When Chrissy discovers a dog-eared diary in the dead man's family home, Autumn discovers that things in the Clarke family are not quite as they seem. Can Autumn interpret the hidden clues in the dog-eared diary to crack the most puzzling disappearance in Knollwood history? Are the recent murders connected to the past? Is Chrissy more insightful than Autumn realized?

I rated this book 5 paw prints 

Cute, Cuddly but so smart Chrissy

As much as I loved the first book, the second book is even better. Chrissy is not cute, cuddly but so smart. As a dog owner myself of two rat terriers, I could not even love more about my dogs. This book is not only for dog lovers but best if you are a fan of mystery genre.

This is such a beautiful, heart-warming and full of suspense story. It is hard to put it down. It makes your heart beats so fast. Autumn and Chrissy's ability is beyond me. These two are inseparable. It is also a beautiful love story. The power to forgive is so amazing. Kindness will never out-powered than being greedy and hateful.

Available to buy from....

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From Modern History Press 

“I have fallen in love with Chrissy and Autumn and their continuing journey to health while finding themselves in the middle of a murder mystery adventure. My pre-teen daughter and I enjoyed reading The Dog-Eared Diary and then discussing the clues, plot twists, and characters.” ~ Antoinette Brickhaus, Maryland

“Through the relationship between Autumn and Chrissy, Wing also shows the importance of therapy animals and how much they can help those who need them. Add a sweet romance to the intrigue of the mystery and you've got a book that you won't want to put down.” ~ Melissa Alvarez, Intuitive, animal communicator and author of Animal Frequency and Llewellyn's Little Book of Spirit Animals

“Diane Wing has created a wonderfully endearing little character in Chrissy the Shih Tzu. It really shines through that the author is a lover of animals and dogs. I can see these books quickly becoming a cherished addition to the cozy mystery genre.” ~ J. New, author of The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries

Also available...
Attorney-at-Paw: A Chrissy the Shih Tzu Mystery

Only Chrissy, a cute little Shih Tzu, can unlock this mystery! 

Autumn Clarke survived the car crash that killed her parents. To help her cope with PTSD, she adopts Chrissy, a Shih Tzu with a remarkable secret. Chrissy is also the only witness to the mysterious death of her pet parent. Autumn vows to find the truth behind his death with the help of Chrissy, the neighbors and an attractive detective. Can Autumn unravel the clues while trying to heal Chrissy's trauma and overcome her own devastating emotional wounds in the midst of a dangerous murder investigation?

Available to buy from....

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About the author

Diane Wing, M.A. grew up in a household where her vivid imagination could thrive. Crafting short stories and poetry from an early age, writing remained part of her life throughout her 25-year corporate career. Her training in clinical psychology shows up in her characters' struggles and in her non-fiction books about energetic consciousness, tarot, and happiness. Diane seeks to help the reader find the flame of their own unique path sparked by her stories and insights for personal growth.

Diane is an avid reader, bibliophile, lover of trees and animals, and a lifelong learner. She and her husband are pet parents to a sweet little Shih Tzu.

 - Find out more, listen to Wing Academy Radio, and take the Vibrational Quiz at www.DianeWing.com.

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Amanda's Fall: A Story for Children About Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Book by Kelly Bouldin Darmofal

Amanda's Fall, with charming illustrations by Bijan Samaddar, depicts an event common in schools today. Young Amanda gets a concussion after falling and hitting her head during recess. While she can hear people talking, she cannot respond. Amanda is taken to a doctor for evaluation. Wisely, her parents ask for a prognosis, which in Amanda's case, is a good one. Author Kelly Darmofal offers readers her third book on TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), encouraging parents and caretakers to alert schools and, hopefully, doctors when any child is concussed; side effects can then be ameliorated. 

Studies show that Traumatic Brain Injuries represent the leading cause of death and disability in young adults in industrialized countries. According to the CDC, at least 564,000 children are seen each year for brain injury in hospital emergency departments and released. 

"Kelly Darmofal worked hard on recovering from severe TBI, and gained the special gift of ability to explain what she went through. This book offers transforming power to children and parents--those afflicted with TBI and those trying to prevent it." -- Dr. Frank Balch Wood, professor emeritus of neurology-neuropsychology at Wake Forest School of Medicine and ordained Baptist minister 

"Amanda's Fall is a delightful, much needed children's book on Traumatic Brain Injury. Through the eyes of a child, it raises awareness, has tips for coping and offers support for those affected." -- Christina Condon NP, Neurology

"Amanda's Fall is a lovely book that uses rhyme and colorful illustrations to engage young readers. Kelly Bouldin Darmofal's warm writing style makes it easy to understand the issues surrounding this potentially serious medical condition." Laurie Zelinger, PhD, RPT-S, board certified psychologist and author of Please Explain Time Out to Me

"This is a cute and creative story to help young children understand their world after a traumatic brain injury. It teaches them that they are not alone in their experiences. The tips for parents are a valuable resource as well." -- Mary Jane Morgan, Lower School Principal, Calvary Day School

"Darmofal has an ease in the way she writes about TBI. In this sweet story, she makes a difficult situation approachable and something to discuss. This is a wonderful story to share and educate children about TBI." -- Susie van der Vorst, co-Founder and Director, Camp Spring Creek

From Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com

I rated this book 5 *****'s 

A beautiful, short but very informative story

I enjoyed reading this book. The story is beautiful, short but very informative. The illustrations are so clear and done beautifully, not only kids will enjoy looking at the pictures but parents as well. Kids are playful in nature and that sometimes, we do not pay attention as parents. This book will teach us everything about how a simple fall can cause head injury.

There are so many helpful tips and links on what to do when this happened to your child. As a housekeeper working in a nursing home, I have talked to many residents fell and cracked theirs bones and recuperating at work to get their strength back, so they can go home. Fall is so serious and sometimes fatal and this book is a must read.

Available to buy from...

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More books by the author
Lost in My Mind: Recovering From Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) (Reflections of America) 

Lost in My Mind is a stunning memoir describing Kelly Bouldin Darmofal's journey from adolescent girl to special education teacher, wife and mother -- despite severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Spanning three decades, Kelly's journey is unique in its focus on TBI education in America (or lack thereof). Kelly also abridges her mother's journals to describe forgotten experiences. She continues the narrative in her own humorous, poetic voice, describing a victim's relentless search for success, love, and acceptance -- while combating bureaucratic red tape, aphasia, bilateral hand impairment, and loss of memory. Readers will:

- Learn why TBI is a "silent illness" for students as well as soldiers and athletes.
- Discover coping strategies which enable TBI survivors to hope and achieve.
- Experience what it's like to be a caregiver for someone with TBI.
- Realize that the majority of teachers are sadly unprepared to teach victims of TBI.
- Find out how relearning ordinary tasks, like walking, writing, and driving require intense determination.

Available to buy from...

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101 Tips for Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injury: Practical Advice for TBI Survivors, Caregivers, and Teachers 
Kelly Bouldin Darmofal suffered a severe TBI in 1992; currently she holds a Masters in Special Education from Salem College, NC. Her memoir Lost In My Mind: Recovering From Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) tells her story of tragedy and triumph. Kelly will be teaching "TBI: An Overview for Educators" at Salem College. Kelly’s "tips" were learned during two decades of recovery and perseverance; they include:

- Ways to avoid isolation and culture shock post-TBI
- Tips for staying organized in the face of instant chaos
- Strategies for caretakers and teachers of TBI survivors
- Life philosophies that reject despair
- How to relearn that shoes must match
- Why one alarm clock is never enough, and
- A breath of humor for a growing population with a "silent illness"--TBI

Available to buy from...

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About the Author

Kelly Bouldin Darmofal is currently a freelance writer, wife, educator and stay-at-home mother. Despite her 1992 severe closed head injury, she graduated cum laude in Communication from Salem College (2000), later receiving a Masters in Special Education from Salem (2006). She studied Spanish in Merida, Mexico and took courses at UCLA, UNC-CH, and Wake Forest University. Kelly was employed by the Winston-Salem, NC chapter of the American Red Cross as volunteer coordinator before working in ESL at Reynolds High School, followed by a semester in Special Education at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Kelly worked personally with Dr. Bethanie Tucker, Averett University, to be trained in Tucker Signing Strategies for Reading (2005). In 2005 Kelly joined the Forsyth Country Day School faculty in the Johnson Academic Center as an LD Specialist. In 2007 Kelly accepted a 2nd grade position at Summit School, and taught there four years until the birth of her son. She currently tutors children as a Wilson Reading Specialist and is a published writer. 

Her article on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and education was published in English Journal in 2005; "Our Teachers Are Not Prepared" won an Edwin M. Hopkins award in 2006 (NCTE). She is a feature contributor to Lost Treasure magazine, and has been a speaker on the subject of TBI at Wake Forest, Salem College, and the Summit School. With the publication of online articles related to TBI in addition to her memoir, Kelly continues to advocate for the TBI of America - especially students. "No teacher in high school or college was trained to work with students like me," says Kelly, the first TBI-certified student in her high school. She admits the American military and sports organizations are now attempting to address the TBI issue. However, IDEA, or the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, has made TBI a certifiable disability category (in 1990) without assuring appropriate teacher training. She remarks on this "black hole" in education whenever possible, and relates her early TBI experiences with hopes of affecting change. 

Kelly has found canine care and rescue to be both a rewarding and healing hobby. Currently she owns two rescue mutts - Mitzy and Buddie.

You can also follow the author here...
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Free Pizza Book By G.C. McRae

Book Details:

Book Title: Free Pizza by G.C. McRae
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction, 360 pages
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Publisher: MacDonald Warne Media
Release date: May 1, 2019
Tour dates: May 1 to 17, 2019
Content Rating: PG (No sex or drugs, just mild expletives such as "hell" and "damn".)

Book Description:
​
Brian McSpadden is always hungry. Does he have a disease? Worms? Does it have something to do with his being adopted? He spends his days at his crazy friend Danny’s house, hoping for snacks, but nothing seems to fill the void.

​Then Brian receives a mysterious birthday card that says, Free Pizza. He soon discovers the card has nothing to do with food and everything to do with the big questions in his life: where did I come from, why did my mother give me up and is there anyone out there who will like me the way I am?

I rated this book 4 ****'s

This book is full of laughter and chaos that kids normally do

My daughter supposed to read this book, but she is so busy with school and activities, so I read it for her. It is a fun book to read. It deals with family, chaos, craziness and laughter that make this book fun to read. 

Danny, one of the main characters reminds me of my son who is addicted to play video games. Brian reminds me of one of my sons' friend. This book is a chaos but in a good way. It involves normal life with how kids can drive the parents crazy. It involves family problems and how to deal with it.

Adoption story is always a fun read for me. The moment that the adopted kid knew his real parents always gives me goosebumps. It always ends in a happy story. If you love to eat pizza and enjoy a fun book to read, this book is I recommend.

Life always involves chaos but if you handle it with laughter, life is even funnier.

To read reviews, please visit G.C. McRae's page on iRead Book Tours.
​

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Meet the Author:

​G.C. McRae is the bestselling author of two young adult novels, three illustrated children's books and a collection of original fairy tales. His writing is fall-down funny, even when the theme is darker than a coal miner's cough. McRae reads to anybody at any time, in person or online, for free, which probably explains why he meets so many people and sells so many books.

In his latest work, Free Pizza, McRae spins the highly emotional themes from his decidedly unfunny childhood into a brilliantly comic yarn. After being given up for adoption by his teenage mom back when single girls were forced to hide unplanned pregnancies, his adoptive parents didn’t exactly keep him under the stairs but, well, let's just say, there were spiders.

A lot has changed since then. McRae’s own children have now grown and he runs a small farm with his wife, who is herself an award-winning writer.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ LibraryThing

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