Stories That Change Lives

Mental health is a conversation—let’s make it easier to start.
I’ve written research-based books for children, educators, and caregivers that open doors to big conversations about emotions, mental health, and suicide prevention.

Teacher Component for Suicide Prevention

This is a suicide prevention book to help children talk about a difficult topic. It can be used as a suicide prevention book or a book for parents counselors, behavior interventionists, and teachers to use with children who have thoughts of suicide. This book has a teacher component as well. The teacher component if used along with this book can assist students/children in understanding it's okay to share their feelings about suicide, who they can talk to if they have feelings of suicide, and let them know they aren't alone.

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Social What...

Social What helps families talk to their children about the importance of social distancing. It is an educational book for parents, teachers and counselors that will allow some guidance with our "new normal" because of COVID -19

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Let the Sun Shine in From the Black Hole. (Suicide Prevention for Students and Teachers)

This is a suicide prevention book to help children talk about a difficult topic. It can be used as a suicide prevention book or a book for parents counselors, behavior interventionists, and teachers to use with children who have thoughts of suicide. This book has a teacher component as well. The teacher component if used along with this book can assist students/children in understanding it's okay to share their feelings about suicide, who they can talk to if they have feelings of suicide, and let them know they aren't alone. Suicide is a difficult subject for children to talk about but it is very real.

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Samantha Gene and Jersey Jack are two giraffes who have had to stay home for the last few weeks. They don’t understand why they can’t go out to the places they used to visit—school, the park, the grocery store, or any of their friends’ houses. They are sad and angry, and they begin misbehaving.

A Nasty Virus Has Struck the World: So the Giraffes Stay Home to Stay Safe

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Don't Call Us the "Bad Kids" is about a boy named Xaiver's perspective of the elementary school he attends. This book discusses students that struggle with behaviors and how the incredible staff at his school provided him tools to assist with different behavior needs within the school. Xavier introduces you to other students in the school and the behavioral interventionist that showed the students choices that they could make to be successful. The tools given within the book are provided in the back of the book for School Counselors, Behavior Interventionists, or school personnel to use with students that may have behavioral struggles within their schools.

Don’t Call Us the “Bad Kids”

  • "This book will help Kids understand there is help out there. I hope if you child shows any sighs of depression you get this book for them. So many parents think they will snap out of it. But that is not always the case."

    Amazon Review

  • "As a 6th-grade teacher, I’ve seen students struggle silently. This book helps break that silence. It was written with such care and respect for both the student and the educator. I especially liked that it doesn’t feel preachy or overly clinical. The story of Jersey Jack is deeply moving and relatable. I've already shared it with my school’s mental health team."

    Google Reads

  • "This book does a good job at making a really tough subject approachable. I used it with a small group of students as part of our district’s mental health awareness week. I do wish it included more activities or reflection pages, but it pairs nicely with other materials. Jersey’s story stuck with the kids, some even opened up about their own struggles."

    Google Reads

  • "I’m a parent, not a teacher, and I was terrified to talk to my daughter about suicide. She’s 12, and I wasn’t sure if I’d scare her. This book gave us a way to talk about it naturally. Jersey Jack’s story made her cry, but in a good way. She asked questions, shared feelings, and I know now that she knows what to do if she or a friend is ever struggling. I’m so grateful this exists."

    Google Reads

  • "This book does a beautiful job of addressing a heartbreaking topic in a way children can understand. Jersey’s story is emotional and powerful, and the message is clear: it’s okay to talk, and you’re not alone. I only wish it included some follow-up discussion prompts or activities. Still, a very valuable resource for both home and school."

    Google Reads