Kid’s Book Review: Count Yourself Calm - Taking BIG Feelings to a BIG God. Written by Eliza Huge, lllustrated by Mike Henson
* I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from The Good Book Company and all thoughts below are my own. I was not required to post a positive review. This blog post includes affiliate links . View my affiliate disclosure here.
Emotions · Christian Kids · Mindfulness
With vibrant, engaging illustrations, Count Yourself Calm teaches young hearts and minds to calm their BIG feelings and refocus on God, restoring themselves to joy and peace!
As a mama, I was so happy to discover a book that teaches calming and mindfulness using Scripture and a Christian perspective! This sweet, fun little book helps young children understand that it is ok to have a bad day and experience a wide range of big feelings. It instructs them on a simple breathing technique that they can pair with a short prayer, then uses mindfulness to refocus their thoughts on God, both what He has given them and what He promises them. A definite recommendation!
Count Yourself Calm: Taking BIG Feelings to a BIG God
Written by Eliza Huge, lllustrated by Mike Henson
About This Book:
Ages: 4-7
This beautifully illustrated and empathetically written book walks children through a calming exercise that focuses their attention on God and helps them manage their emotions.
Through a combination of slow breathing, prayer, and focusing on five things about God and his good gifts, children will learn to count themselves calm. Children can practise this calming exercise while you read them the book and then use it when they feel upset, sad, angry, worried, anxious, or scared.
This resource is a great tool to equip children 4-7 years old to regulate their emotions and calm down.
Written by Eliza Huie, Director of Counseling at McLean Bible Church, Arlington, who has worked with children in a biblical counselling capacity.
My Review:
As a mama, I was so happy to discover a book that teaches mindfulness from a Christian perspective! Over the years of toddlerhood and through preschool, my daughter and I have read a handful of books that focus on calming techniques and mindfulness, but this was the first one that gave practical, easy-to-follow advice paired with Scripture and I LOVED it!
Using vibrant, rainbow-colored illustrations, this sweet book helps young children understand that it is ok to have a bad day and experience a wide range of big feelings. It instructs them on a simple breathing technique that they can pair with a short prayer when emotions surge in their little hearts and minds. I love that the prayer focuses on trusting in God.
Related Post: God, I Feel Sad, Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God by Michelle Nietert
After a deep breath, the book then uses mindfulness by counting down from five. With short and to-the-point book words, the book encourages children to name the people and things that God has given them which bring them love, joy, peace and hope, with a final reminder to describe one attribute of God. Each countdown page has a short Bible verse, offering an excellent way to tuck God’s word into their little hearts and encourage their minds, giving them the strength to face their feelings.
This book is incredible! It is so profound, yet engaging, simple and fun. It is also a great reminder for children and adults alike to keep our minds focused on God and what He has given us, as well as on what He has promised us when times are hard. A definite recommendation for any young child’s library!
