Powerful You

by Kate Jane Neal

Overview

Kate Jane Neal, the author and illustrator of Words and Your Heart and Wonderful You, takes on the two most powerful words we have: Yes and No.

We all have the power to say two little words with big meaning . . . YES and NO!

You can say YES to trying new things and making new friends.
And sometimes, saying YES can be tricky and lead you wishing you hadn't said it!

You can also say NO to things that make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Saying NO can sometimes take great courage!

Listening to how our bodies and minds feel can help give us the strength to say YES or NO. And that is a brave and powerful thing!

Kate Jane Neal has created another heartfelt picture book for young ones growing up in this changing world—one that shows them they should listen to their guts. This is a necessary message and a timeless book for all children, at home, and in classrooms.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250841278
Publisher:	Feiwel & Friends
Publication date:	06/13/2023
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.30(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD500L (what's this?)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Kate Jane Neal is an artist, author, illustrator, and the founder of the Culture of the Heart. She trained at Edinburgh College of Art in Scotland and went on to exhibit nationally and internationally, winning a number of awards and scholarships for her work. She now lives and works in Cornwall, UK, where she authored and illustrated WORDS AND YOUR HEART and WONDERFUL YOU and is now developing a number of new titles.

Editorial Reviews

"This tame, spare, and direct read-aloud offers open-ended examples, making it a potentially useful primer for teachers, parents, and caregivers to introduce children to some of the fundamentals of consent. A combination of thick black lines, generous use of white space, and frothy bursts of color work to make this visually appealing as well. A helpful introduction to yes and no."—Kirkus Reviews

"The characters capture the innocence and joy of childhood as well as the worry. ­VERDICT Teachers and parents will appreciate the simplicity of the message in helping children make good choices in the name of their emotional well-being."–School Library Journal

From the Publisher

04/01/2023

PreS-Gr 2—Neal focuses on the importance of two simple words, "yes" and "no." By using "yes," children can undertake new adventures, try new things, and make new friends. However, she saying "yes" can be "tricky." If a child is uncomfortable after "yes," they need to listen to their body and remember that "no" can keep them safe. "No" also allows for individual choice. A full page is devoted to ways children can say "yes" ("Yep," "Totally," "No problem") as well as how to say "no" ("Sorry, I have something else to do," "Sounds great but I'm busy," "This doesn't feel good"). The art, reminiscent of Peter H. Reynolds's style, uses bold, bright watercolor washes to set off large areas of white space. Neal's characters (a child and animals) are simple, and only the color red is used to accent their black lines. The characters capture the innocence and joy of childhood as well as the worry. VERDICT Teachers and parents will appreciate the simplicity of the message in helping children make good choices in the name of their emotional well-being.—Sally A. James

School Library Journal

2023-03-14
A simple story about the power of two little words.

A round-headed human with skin the white of the page and their anthropomorphic animal friends traverse a world of options opened up by yes and no. Pops of color, especially present in spread-spanning words like powerful and massive, illustrate how those two words can help “look…after your heart.” Straightforward text explains that “You can say yes to trying new things,” “to making new friends,” and to “help[ing] others,” with the characters dancing and steeling themselves before climbing mountains. Saying no is an equally positive response: “No can help keep you safe” and establish boundaries, even though “it can take courage to say no,” and it might make your “insides feel wiggly.” (The only unsafe situation presented involves a ball in the middle of a road.) This tame, spare, and direct read-aloud offers open-ended examples, making it a potentially useful primer for teachers, parents, and caregivers to introduce children to some of the fundamentals of consent. A combination of thick black lines, generous use of white space, and frothy bursts of color work to make this visually appealing as well. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A helpful introduction to yes and no. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews