Children’s books & children’s music that build empathy and compassion for self and others
peaceful conflict resolution | anger management | problem solving and dialogue skills | skills for making decisions using consensus.
Now Available here in hard and softcover. Always available on Amazon as well.
See Readers Favorite 5-star reviews
*Winner of the Human Relations Indie Peace Book of the Year, with I Can See Peace
*Family Human Relations Children’s Book Gold Award with The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace
*All books hold the Readers’ Favorite 5 Star Seal
I Can See Peace
This award-winning book is a wonderful visual and inspirational journey for children. Here’s what reviewers say:
Kirkus Reviews: “A sparsely written but lovingly illustrated book with a powerful, and empowering, message.”
“There is little not to like about this book. My favorite thing about it is that interwoven in the storyline is a subtle but effective message about caring for nature and the environment. It is beautifully and very effectively written to achieve its goals and its illustrations draw the reader in and make them want to stay forever in that moment. I love that the book is not only multiculturally diverse but also represents children with disabilities and those with critical/terminal illnesses. The ending pages of the book contain discussion guides and suitable activities for both home and school settings. They present opportunities to engage children on the topic of peace and are a wonderful way to strengthen the bond between parent and child.” Review by Kelyn, Online Book Club
“The essence of I Can See Peace by Julie Penshorn truly lies in its illustrations and images. The illustrator, Jeanine-Jonee Keith has illustrated images in an exemplary manner. . . ‘A picture speaks a thousand words’ is proved true here, as the images reflect the emotions on the children’s faces on various pages of the book.” Review by Labibliofile, Online Book Club
ISBN Hardcover 978-0-9988691-3-1 ISBN Soft cover 978-0-9988691-4-8 ISBN Electronic 978-0-9988691-6-2
The Barnyard Buddies – 2017
The delightful Barnyard Buddies engage everyone as they show how to use peaceful conflict resolution and dialogue for problem-solving! This rhyming, richly illustrated children’s book, for ages 3 to 8, conveys important social skills and anger management tools. With a wonderful Parent and Educator Guide, and a complete Mentor Program Guide included, this is a comprehensive smart tool! Plus, kids love it! Here’s the process children learn in the story: S — STOP and Breathe. T — Tell how you feel. O — Open your mind (brainstorm). P — Plan a deal.
When people can safely speak from their hearts, they can most often find solutions that work for all. Music notation for the “STOP for Peace” song also is included, to reinforce the learning. Designed for schools, homes, preschools, daycares, and churches.
“The message is relevant and the author puts it across beautifully with the help of animal characters. The illustrations are charming and they not only give the animals’ personality but also breathe life into them and the scenes. It is a good story for reading aloud and story-telling . . . This is definitely a must-have in all children’s libraries and homes as it helps them to resolve problems in a peaceful manner.”
Review – Readers’ Favorite
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Smart Tools for Life Children’s Music
I STOP for Peace music
Physical CDs – UPC-798577051821
Electronic – UPC- 191061745648
“I STOP for Peace” companion CD to “The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace”, also by Julie Penshorn, further builds the skills, and carries them deep into the unconscious mind so they are never forgotten. Each step has its own lively, engaging, fun song. Genres range from folk, and country, to bluegrass and even jazz.
A turn-key conflict resolution process! When it comes to learning important skills, and placing that learning deep into the unconscious, there is nothing better than sing-along, memorable music! This album is contagious! When you share this upbeat, folksy, country and bluegrass music, you are giving a smart tool for life to the children who listen. Each step of the S.T.O.P. process (see book) has its own song. This music complements “The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace” children’s book, and is designed to hold children’s interest and help them dialogue about conflict in a non-threatening way. The book and music together form a complete educational system, and the parent or teacher can simply turn it on (repeatedly for best memorization), read the book to the children and remind the children to use the process!
CD Reviews
“Dynamic and fun! A sing and learn adventure.” D. Hintz, child care provider
“Delightful, participative children’s songs with a serious message! A landmark in conflict resolution education helping children and families develop peacemaking skills.” Marcy Wirth, 2nd grade teacher
Songs for Peace music
Physical CDs – UPC-798577051722
Electronic – UPC- 191061664666
Engaging, fun, upbeat songs to build excitement around peacemaking, help children with personal mental wellness, and provide a safer, friendlier classroom! Includes very short dialogues with children to introduce the concepts. Partners well with: “I STOP for Peace” (music) and “The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace” (children’s book).
Sing-along, memorable music focuses on a variety of peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding skills, like self-care, care for the environment, and appreciation of diversity. Not just children’s music, you will enjoy listening to the songs as well! Children enjoy clapping, moving, and singing along as they participate! Songs include: We’re Peacemakers, I Can Make Peace All Over the Land, Hurray! We’re Different (and Alike), I Smile at Myself, I’m Always the Right Age, Good Heart Journal, Stretch High and Round.
Conflict Resolution Cubes
Conflict Resolution Cubes available exclusively here!
Children learn to say “I-messages”
Created by Growing Communities for Peace
20 activities to support a conflict resolution breakthrough with children!
A game-pack of four foldable-assembly tagboard cubes allows children as young as three to learn how to take personal responsibility for sharing their feelings during conflict resolution training and guidance. Instead of a child learning an I-Message such as, “I feel angry when you knock my blocks over, “children learn to say, “I feel angry when the blocks I’m playing with get knocked over.” Notice the word “you” is dropped and replaced with the description of behavior. This small change has huge results. The information goes to the higher cortex of the brain allowing children to engage in effective conflict resolution and find stunning child-centered solutions. Expressing their feelings in this new way increases emotional and social intelligence.
Adults working together with children as they use the cubes preserves them so they can provide years of learning. They are not laminated. The instructions for 20 activities are provided.
The conflict resolution cubes include a variety of feelings, including anger, hurt, worry, frustration and such feelings as happy, joyful and more. All involved can experience the power of taking conflict resolution to a whole new level with skills that will last a lifetime.
New & Upcoming Books
The Barnyard Buddies Meet a Newcomer
A starved, thirsty dog wanders into the barnyard. The Barnyard Buddies, like people today, wonder how to cope with this fellow, who represents any newcomer to class, including mmigrants and refugees. They work through a consensus/consent decision-making process and agree he can stay for a short time. but it’s just his second day on the farm and already the lonely dog feels he belongs and he gives his all for the benefit of the little farm. Using his unique gifts and talents, the newcomer wins the hearts of all the animals, but he still needs to win the love of Farmer Jim. In this heartwarming tale, children learn how to show care and kindness toward a newcomer, even one very different from them. The parent/teacher guide provides extensive additional learning, and many home and classroom sessions can follow that encourage dialogue about empathy and compassion toward newcomers, and prompt discussions of feelings about those who seem different, all while encouraging the development of tolerance, respect, and kindness toward those we don’t know. Included are definitions that are very helpful for the discussions and activities. This books offers a treasure-trove of areas to explore as it even deals with classroom power dynamics and developing a decision-making system that truly honors all in an equitable way.
ISBN Hardcover 978-0-9988691-6-2
ISBN Soft cover 978-0-9988691-7-9
ISBN Electronic 978-0-9988691-8-6
The Barnyard Buddies Dig up the Truth
An exciting story of what can happen when “fake” news and falsehoods are believed. Luckily, the Mrs. McCloud, the owl is shrewd enough to know the fox is lying and pursue the real truth. When she shares it with the Barnyard Buddies, the dog saves the day! A story about appreciating others, about learning that all animals, even sly foxes and noisy chickens have value! The parent/teacher guide provides ideas for additional learning for children on the topic of being a discerning news consumer and being able to detect untruths. It also creates a dialogue with children about the value of honesty.