New Releases by Julia Cook

A cute, creative story about children and their texts, tweets, posts and pics. Don’t be mean and irresponsible! That’s the straight-to-the-point advice “Screen” has for young readers who are active on social media. Whether tapping out messages on their computers, tablets or phones, Screen wants kids to know their words – the kind and the cruel – will follow them for life, creating a digital trail that can''t be erased.

She points out her teacher’s boring assignments. She dictates the games people play at recess. She even objects to family dinners. If Cora June doesn’t get her way in the classroom, on the playground, or at home, she can make life miserable for those around her. Will anyone put the brakes on her outlandish demands? And will Cora June ever realize that she can be a leader, but still be flexible? Or that there’s a difference between being assertive and being bossy? See what lessons are learned in this eye-opening tale about the benefits of not always getting your way. It’s My Way or the Highway! is the first title in an exciting new storybook series, The Leader I’ll Be!, by award-winning author Julia Cook.

HOPE is our children''s window for a better tomorrow. In terms of resilience and well-being, hope is a critically important predictor of success. This creative story from the best-selling author of My Mouth is a Volcano!, and Bubble Gum Brain, reminds children that dark clouds can be temporary and asking for help is always okay. We all have times when we need to borrow a little hope from someone else. u003cpu003eu003cemu003eWhen your clouds get too dark, and too heavy to push away, Reach out and ask, "Can I borrow some light?" "I''m having a really bad day." It''s always okay to admit to yourself, "I just can''t do it today. Everyone needs somebody sometimes, to help them find their way." Sometimes the dark clouds overhead seem too heavy and you feel like giving up. Little candle knows all about this. Bad grades, blasted on social media, worried about making the team, and wondering who her real friends are so many hard things to deal with! All she can see is darkness. But her story begins to change when someone notices she needs a boost of hope. As little candle is reminded she has purpose and her own unique gifts, and that she isn''t the only one with dark clouds, her dim light begins to shine brighter. This hopeful story emphasizes for children (and adults) the many different ways to ask for help, and their ability to be a hope builder for others, too.

From the bestselling author of Bubble Gum Brain and My Mouth is a Volcano, comes a hilarious story about learning to be present wherever we are...and what can happen when we''re not. These are my feet and this is me. Sometimes I''m not where I''m supposed to be. My brain gets crowded. There''s so much going on. I do three things at once, and get two of them wrong! "Be where your feet are," I hear people say. "Do one thing at a time. It''s a much better way." Each day, there are so many things to think about. Getting ready for school, turning in homework, taking a math test, band solo tryouts, soccer practice...and it''s a long way from your head to your feet. Be Where Your Feet Are! reinforces the concepts of mindfulness and being present in a way children will remember, while showing how good life can be when we learn to appreciate the world and people around us.

Whether we’ve been the subject of a rumor or the one spreading a rumor about someone else, most of us have been involved with rumors somehow. But how many people really stop to think about the damaging effects? Fortunately, award-winning author Julia Cook does, and cleverly brings this serious subject to light in an entertaining and funny, but cautionary, tale about the importance of NOT starting or spreading rumors. Told through the eyes of the rumor marble, the story describes how a simple misunderstanding starts a chain reaction that can’t be undone. K-6 students will laugh as they read this story and are reminded that it’s much easier to prevent a train – or a rolling rumor marble – from starting to roll forward than trying to stop one!

From bestselling author Julia Cook, comes a story about the challenging (and fun) changes a military family goes through when a parent is deployed. "I think I''m pretty lucky because I''m part of a military family. It makes me really proud to know my parents are working to keep our country safe. I get to do stuff other kids don''t. My life is kinda unique. I''ve tried on night vision goggles, and I''ve looked inside a Humvee." Life is full of unique opportunities and challenges for military families. They live in different places, shop on military bases, and have to navigate changes in how they operate as a family when a parent is deployed. In Deployment: One of Our Pieces is Missing, our family must learn to stretch and adapt as they find their new normal while Dad is gone. And once home again, they work through a mix of emotions as he settles back into the family frame. With tips for adults to help children process their questions and feelings, this book serves to honor the sacrifices our military families make each day by equipping them with an approachable way to discuss the highs and lows of deployment.

In this heartfelt story from the bestselling author of My Mouth is a Volcano!, Foster meets new friends and a kind foster mom who help him navigate the fears and feelings associated with going into foster care. Foster has lived with his mom and "sometimes dad" all of his life...until now. And like so many others entering foster care, he has more questions than answers and so many new feelings to deal with. "I don''t know what''s going to happen to me. Will I end up being like Zeke? Will I have a new forever mom? Can I visit my mom once a week?" "I have so much going on inside me right now. I feel angry, guilty, scared, hurt, and sad. But maybe the others are right. Maybe being here isn''t so bad." Written in an honest, approachable way, Foster Care will encourage children entering or already in foster care and help them understand they are not alone. Foster, Daisy, Zeke, Simpson, and Rex all have different circumstances which brought them to foster care. Together they talk through their stories and realize this is right where they need to be for now; under the caring watch of foster mom, Miss Beulah.

Zak is obsessed with watches. Before that it was trains. He owns hundreds of watches and is quick to tell everyone everything about them. Zak also has autism, so he sometimes responds to the world around him in unconventional ways. As Zak describes his point of view, young readers gain a better understanding of his behaviors and learn valuable lessons about patience, tolerance and understanding. Parents, teachers, and Counselors can use this book to help teach kids tolerance and acceptance when meeting children living with autism spectrum disorder. Beautiful illustrations and tips added to the end of the book help kids understand the message of the story.

If Brown can learn to use all of the friendship skills he learns from the others pencils, he will make friends. This first book in the Building Relationship series focuses on relationship-building skills for children. Included are tips for parents and teachers on how to help children who feel left out and have trouble making friends.

The rules keep getting in the way of Noodle''s fun. Rules for this, rules for that. There are so many rules! Can Noodle be convinced that rules are meant to help, not harm him?

My Story about Asking for Permission and Making an Apology! RJ feels a lot happier when he says he’s sorry, and he learns that asking for permission will mean fewer trips to the time-out chair!

RJ''s mouth is getting him into a lot of trouble. A rude comment at school earned him a detention, and an incensitive remark at home earned him a scholding and made his sister cry. It''s time RJ starts using a social filter when he speaks. He soon realizes he doesn''t have to verbalize every thought that pops into his head. In fact, the less said the better!

RJ is struggling in math class and many of his assignments are missing or incomplet. With help he discovers how to stay organized so he doesn''t have to do things over and over again.

RJ has another tough day at school and again at home but learns that sharing and teamwork are two beneficial skills. Includes audio book read by award-winning author Julia Cook.

This book presents the findings of a recent interview-based study of how 28 young adults living in Melbourne, Australia viewed and related to both the personal and societal future. In so doing it addresses issues such as how individuals imagine the future of their society, and whether this has any bearing on the way in which they perceive and relate to their own, personal future. The respondents’ future imaginings are also considered in relation to influential theoretical accounts that have sought to diagnose the character of contemporary society, and with it the future horizon. Drawing on this discussion, some alternative ways of conceptualising micro experiences of future-oriented thinking are proposed, and the role that hope can play in this process is addressed. This book will appeal to readers who are interested in the sociology of risk and uncertainty, time, and youth.

Kindergarten represents a big jump into the unknown that, while exciting, can also cause nervous anticipation for everyone involved. The good news is that it doesn''t have to be scary! Today''s complex, technology-driven world is changing rapidly. As it does, what our children need to know when they enter kindergarten is changing as well, requiring a new and improved set of school-readiness skills called "QI Skills" (pronounced key) that will give them the foundation and confidence to succeed. In this fun and engaging story, bestselling authors Julia Cook and Laura A. Jana bring to life for children, parents and educators the important connection that exists between everyday behaviors and the development of valuable, 21st century life-skills during early childhood. This book includes creative, practical tips to help readers implement these skills at home and in the classroom. Follow Roo as he figures out how to use and apply his amazing QI Skills: ME, WE, WHY, WILL, WIGGLE, WOBBLE and WHAT IF! I love to move around and explore, so my favorite skill is WIGGLE I can jump into things, and reach for the stars, and bend and stretch and jiggle! With a backpack full of "super cool" skills and a head full of questions, Roo is excited to jump into kindergarten, and your children will be too!

BECOMING is better than BEING. I have Bubble Gum Brain. I like to chew on my thoughts, flex, bend and stretch my brain, and expand the way I think! I make great mistakes that help me learn. I have Brick Brain. With me, things are the way they are...and they''re probably not going to change much. I am the way I am...and that''s just how it is. Meet Bubble Gum Brain and Brick Brain: two kids with two VERY different mindsets. Bubble Gum Brain likes to have fun adventures, learn new things, and doesn''t worry about making great mistakes. Brick Brain is convinced that things are just fine the way they are and there''s not much he can do to change them, so why try? When Bubble Gum Brain shows Brick Brain how to peel off his wrapper, Brick Brain begins to realize just how much more fun school...and life... can be! This creative story teaches children (and adults) the valuable lesson that becoming is better than being, which can open the door to a whole new world of possibilities! Ready, Get Mindset...GROW!!

Noodle always chooses to do the things he wants to do while never getting around to doing the things he NEEDS to do! Luckily, he learns simple strategies to help him complete his chores and still have time for fun. This is the fifth title in the Responsible Me! sries by Julia Cook.--Publisher.

Show youngsters how to take responsibility for their own actions with the newest storybook in the Responsible ME! series. Noodle''s really done it this time! What should have been a friendly competition among classmates turns sour after Noodle cheats his way to victory. He says he didn''t really want to cheat but everyone has to once in a while, so what''s the harm? Will Noodle get burned by his own deception, or will he muster the courage to confess to his trickery? Young readers will learn a valuable lesson about the cost of cheating while enjoying a few laughs.

A Book About Good Sportmanship. "But I HATE losing! GEEEEZE!" Wendell HAS to win at everything, and if he doesn''t, he whines about it. When Wendell has one of those days where nothing seems to go his way, his mom helps him understand that everything in life doesn''t have to be a contest and losing does not make you a loser. In fact, it can make you stronger! She also points out that although it feels great to celebrate a win, winning isn''t everything, and whining about things just makes it worse. "Whiners aren''t winners, and winners never whine. You can''t win at everything all of the time!" This creative story addresses two very challenging topics: winning and whining.

Cletus and Bocephus are back! While working on their science fair project on mealworms, they learn to appreciate and understand each other''s strengths and weaknesses. Creativity needs structure and structure needs creativity...and Cletus and Bocephus BOTH need to know how to plan and prioritize! "You learn from mistakes and use what you learn, so you don''t make those mistakes again. Every time you play a video game, you plan and prioritize to WIN!" This storybook is the second in the Functioning Executive book series. It highlights the importance of planning and prioritizing. It also spotlights the unique differences and strengths that live in all of us. This book will help teach children to determine the necessary steps, in order, towards fulfilling a goal which is a vital executive function skill. Children who possess effective prioritizing skills can learn to manage not only daily responsibilities, but also how to prepare for future success. Planning and prioritizing are two of the most difficult executive function skills for people to master. Planning effectively is the thinking skill that helps an individual develop strategies to accomplish goals. It allows a person to think about completing a task before it is started. Life is all about making choices. Prioritizing effectively helps a person make the best choices possible. Time is a limited commodity. To get the most out of your time and accomplish all that you need to do, you have to be able to plan and prioritize both on a long and short-term basis.

Funny rhymes and colorful illustrations help young readers learn the social skills they need when they sit for a meal. Written from the Table’s point of view, kids are empowered and gain social competence as they learn about acceptable as well as undesirable mealtime behavior. Parents and Educators of K-6 students will enjoy the Table''s tasteful advice and guidance. Good table manners are about being respectful, kind and considerate to others and their feelings. This is the seventh book in the award-winning Building Relationships series. 32 pgs.

Award-winning author Julia Cook''s tale about diversity and prejudice comes to life inside a flower bed where Blues and Purples learn a valuable lesson about acceptance, understanding and friendship.

Cletus and Bocephus are cousins, yet they are nothing alike. Extremely creative Cletus, can''t find anything in his room. He is constantly losing things and is very disorganized and messy. Bocephus, on the other hand, is the most organized, uptight person on the planet. If Bocephus ever misplaces anything... he totally freaks out! After Cletus mom refuses to let him play with Bocephus until his room is cleaned, Bocephus steps in to help out his disorganized cousin. "Cletus... There''s a home for everything. Every whatchamacallit has its spot. Let''s sort through your stuff and put it where it goes. I''m organized... Cletus you''re not!" This storybook is the first in the "Functioning Executive" book series. It highlights the importance of being organized in a creative, applicable way. It also spotlights the unique differences and strengths that live in all of us. This book will help teach children to understand, develop, and apply organization a vital executive function skill. Children who possess effective organizational skills can learn to manage not only daily responsibilities, but can also learn how to effectively plan ahead.

“I had it first!” “That’s not fair!” All parents and Educators know one thing – when you get more than one child in a room, there’s bound to be at least a couple of them arguing over something. Award-winning author Julia Cook tells the funny and relatable story of how her three dogs view their “siblings.” Each pooch would like to be the only dog in the family, have all the attention, and not have to share their toys or be bossed around by a stronger dog. Children in grades K-6 will learn about conflict resolution, empathy, fairness, and problem solving in addition to understanding that “fair doesn’t ever mean equal”. Kids can easily relate to the three dogs and learn to become more tolerant of and patient with their own siblings. I Want to Be the Only Dog is part of the Building Relationships series which supports social competence. This is one more resource from Julia Cook for helping kids get the social skills they need to get along with others. Tips for parents and Educators further address the issue of rivalry with siblings or peers.

Turn scowls and negativity into smiles and positivity! Teach complainers and pessimists to overcome bad moods or feelings of hopelessness by changing their outlook. Learn from Noodle, a boy whose attitude, or ‘baditude,’ is alienating everyone around him. With help from a teacher and his mom, Noodle learns how to turn his ‘have tos’ into ‘get tos’ and his ‘baditude’ into gratitude! Kids in grades K-6 are empowered to actively look for positives in all situations and manage how they choose to feel about what they cannot control. This title is from the Responsible Me! series by award-winning author Julia Cook. The series promotes life skills, strengthens character development, and helps kids use better social skills at school and at home. 32 pages

Why can''t he see what he did to me - to our family? This book takes a unique look at the internal struggles with which a child of an incarcerated parent is faced. My dad says that drugs and alcohol made him choose to do the wrong things. But he could have said no to the drugs and the booze, then my life wouldn''t be what it seems. Why didn''t he love us enough to say no? Aren''t we worth it to him? He had a choice...us or drugs. He chose to let the drugs win. What Do I Say About That? creatively explores and validates the roller coaster journey of emotions that children of incarcerated parents endure. It also gives insight to the process of healing and coping.

Teach children to stop making excuses and blaming others when they make mistakes. Elementary school kids will identify with Noodle as he makes one excuse after another for his behavior and choices that lead to unwanted consequences. It just isn’t his fault that his brother’s game ran late, and he didn’t finish his homework. Or that his mom forgot to remind him to turn in his library book. By learning to accept responsibility he finds instead how to use mistakes as opportunities for problem-solving and to turn negatives into positives. This is the first title from award-winning author Julia Cook in the Responsible Me! series which strengthens character development and helps kids use better social skills at school and at home. 32 pages

A storm is brewing... Whenever Levi doesn''t like the truth, he kinda, sorta makes up other stuff to say. One day his mother explains to him that telling lies will damage the trust of his friends and make him very sad. Whenever you tell a lie, your inside sun goes away. Then a lying cloud forms, and glooms up your day. Each time you tell a lie, another cloud starts to form, and before you can stop it from happening, your insides start to storm. This book is a great resource to help children understand not only the consequences of telling a lie, but also how one lie can often lead to telling several more. It will help parents and teachers understand that lying can be a normal and sometimes healthy response for a child and offers tools to help guide children toward truthfulness.

Passing gas in public often becomes a source of amusement in elementary classrooms. Parents and educators can diffuse any embarrassment or hilarity and teach children how to respond appropriately when gas happens. A mini-biology lesson about the digestive system and natural bodily functions is presented to kids in grades K-6. The humorous story will have them laughing while learning the social skill of what to do, what to say, and how to act during natural, everyday “gas leaks”.