Elderberry Tales

It's Violet's first day at a new school, and she is starting to feel worried. What if nobody likes her? What if her teacher is mean? Unlike your ordinary first day jitters, these thoughts refuse to stay inside Violet's head. They pop into the air and become 'worry clouds' that won't stop following her! Feeling small, alone and invisible, Violet must figure out what she's going to do about the worry clouds. If her thinking got her into this mess, can it get her out, too? 

Written and Illustrated by Roz Maclean

"Violet's Cloudy Day" is available on Amazon.
You can also download a classroom activity packet to practice replacing worries with helpful thoughts.

When a stinky mouse knocks on Squeaky’s door and asks for food, Squeaky rudely refuses to help and sends him away. But later, when Squeaky is the one who needs help, he finds himself at the mercy of the very same mouse he turned away. Will the stinky mouse leave Squeaky behind or come to his rescue?

Written by Sarah Cash
Art by Jason Smith

"Squeaky and the Stinky Mouse" is available in both hardcover and paperback at squeakytales.com. You can find more examples of kindness in action at the Squeaky Tales Facebook page!

He was a super hero with a furry sidekick. 
She was a secret mad scientist in the kitchen.
But he was sick... and she was stumped.
Can they work together to find out what is stealing his superpowers, and restore his boundless energy once again? 

Meet Aidan the Wonder Kid and his Super Smart Detective Mom. When food allergies strike, they bond together to fight back. But can they win? 

Kids will cheer for Aidan, and parents and teachers everywhere will love the message. Two kids in every classroom have a food allergy, and this story brings fun to the challenge of feeding every body just right. 

Written by Colleen Brunetti
Art by Dan Carsten 

For more information on Aidan the Wonder Kid, lesson plans around food allergies and intolerances, and Colleen Brunetti's work to educate parents and teachers about allergies and intolerances, visit ColleenBrunetti.com.

Follow the journey of a sparkly white Stone from birth upon the Mountain’s peak and down Creek & River to Ocean where tropical sunsets and white sandy beaches await. Along the way, Stone goes through an amazing transformation, learns many things about the world, and gets some help from good friends.

The Stone Who Learned to Sing is written by Sylvan Brightwolf. You can connect with him on Facebook.

It's also available as an ebook on Lulu.com. 

Evie Okay & the Thought Buffet is a story about a little girl whose afternoon of worrisome thoughts turns to hope after a blue monkey walks her through an epic buffet.

Evie Okay is a children's book written for everyone.  The story offers a simple understanding of the mind-body connection without denying the complexity of  it all. In the end, it's not that Evie picks the right thoughts and all’s well, but that she believes her thoughts matter, and that she cares to try.  It is the belief that she is an important, creative force which makes her “shine like the stars in a pitch black sky.”

Story & art by Valerie Shively
You can also see more of Val's gorgeous photos at Valerie Shively Photography

This week's story is about Dorothy, a short tailed albatross, and a team of humans who rescue her and nurse her back to health. It's a selection from the book "Wild Rescues: Amazing Stories from a Wildlife Shelter" by Amanda Mander.

In her book, Amanda profiles different wild animals that were rescued by kids, and treated by a veterinarian. It's based on the West Sound Animal Shelter on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. Here's some info about the book:

Can you imagine a hawk falling down into your mom's wildflower garden? Or a duck family that decides to make your swimming pool their pond? Read about these and other rescue stories based on wild animals treated at a real wildlife shelter. Learn amazing animal facts that can help you too to become a wildlife rescuer and help humans and animals be good neighbors!

You can find out more about the book HERE. 

You can also connect with Amanda Mander on Facebook.

Zaid is excited to go on a camping trip with his cousin Ahmed. Just as he's getting his bag ready, he receives the news that Ahmed is sick and the camping trip is cancelled. Disappointment sets in and Zaid's day gets gloomier by the minute! What will make Zaid's gloomy day bright again?

An engaging story with a wonderful Islamic theme that will allow children to explore and understand their stormy emotions, and learn how to cope with them!

Story by Helal Musleh
Art by Sabrina Pachardo

Published by Ruqaya's Bookshelf, a small but wholesome company dedicated to publishing bright, fun, and engaging Islamic children’s books to add to your home and school libraries. 
https://ruqayasbookshelf.com/

When a wise princess is imprisoned by a hungry dragon, it seems that no one can save her. Can Chanoch the baker succeed where others have failed, and free the princess? 

This tale will delight children of all ages, while subtly teaching about the deeper meaning of Chanuka: the relationship between physical and spiritual, the importance of gratitude, and how to turn the pleasures of eating into something more profound.

Written by Oren Litwin
Illustrated by Shir Dahan and Manthos Lappas
Available on Amazon

A delightful seafaring tale of adventure and goodwill with a rollicking, rolling, sea-shanty rhyme. Sail along on this voyage to meet the unknown; what lies beyond the horizon and slinking in the deep. 

Thanks to LeAnn Beck of Split Rail Studio for sharing this story with us!
Illustration by Milena Vitorovic and Jelena Vitorovic.

This beautifully illustrated book is available on Amazon. Check it out!
Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for opportunities to engage - enter to win a free copy of the book; share your drawings of the sea monster; tell us what you liked about the story!