Books
Mindful Magic: 23 Meditations for Calm Kids
In Mindful Magic, parents, caregivers, and teachers will find twenty-three simple meditations that kids can use to feel more calm, more loved, and more grateful, and more at peace. Each meditation takes only a few minutes and includes deep breathing, relaxation, and positive affirmations. In a world with increasing demands on our children, research shows early routines with mindfulness helps build flexibility, resilience, and positive self-esteem.
When children are inundated with technology, busy schedules, and social pressures, give them a break with mindfulness. Help them develop a habit of taking time for peace in their lives. We can all enjoy the freedom of relaxation. It feels great!
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Scientists of Faith: 28 Stories of Brilliant Scientists with Unshakable Faith in God
I LOVED writing this book. It includes wonderful stories about great people who have made the world a better place. Their stories inspire us all to become our best selves.
As you and your children read these truths, you will discover how science and faith CAN coexist in this profound, inspirational picture book biography about 28 scientists who've also professed their faith in God.
Can faith in God and belief in science be compatible? Might science even deepen our wonder at God's works? Absolutely!
From medieval physician and Jewish theologian Maimonides (1135-1204) to American immunologist Kizzmekia Shanta Corbett (born 1986), readers will meet brilliant men and women from different countries, backgrounds, time periods, and scientific disciplines who all share one thing in common: an unshakeable faith in God.
You may already know about scientists like Gregor Mendel (1822-1884), the monk-scientist who discovered the hidden world of genetics, and Katherine Johnson (1918-2020), the African-American mathematician finally made famous in the movie Hidden Figures.
And there are some you likely never heard of like American astronomer Maria Mitchell (1818-1889) who discovered a comet in 1847, and Iranian theoretical physicist Mehdi Golshani (born 1939).
Others include Bienvenido Nebres (born 1940), a Filipino scientist, mathematician and Jesuit priest, and Mary Higby Schweitzer (born 1955), an American paleontologist who found evidence that a T-Rex specimen was a pregnant female.
All of them experienced rejection, the difficult work of discovering, and at times prejudice, but they kept going because they believed that they could make a difference in the world with the help of a Divine Creator.
Scientists of Faith reveals that faith in God isn't just compatible with science—it can be a scientist's most powerful force in the journey of discovery.
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Stand Up to Sexting: An Open Conversation for Parents & Kids
Wait, so you really wrote a book about sexting?
Absolutely! And if you have kids or work with kids, you probably aren't all that surprised. According to a recent survey, parents now rank sexting among their top-ten parenting concerns—and even higher than smoking, teen pregnancy, or school violence.
When we told one parent what we were writing, she said, "YES! I've been wanting to talk to my daughter about that, but it's just so hard to talk about. I need this book." If that sounds familiar to you, welcome! Whether you're a parent, teacher, grandparent, faith leader, or mentor, you're in good company.
Why do we need to talk to our kids about sexting? Because no one is. There are programs set up to teach kids about the adverse effects of drugs and alcohol, but no one is talking about sexting.
- Sexting is linked with anxiety and depression.
- It increases conflict in relationships.
- It can lead to other addictions like pornography.
- It's a new form of cyberbullying that can lead dire consequences.
- It's illegal, depending on the state and can bring criminal charges of child pornography.
The book leads kids and parents through the problems of smartphone use with specific examples that can lead to sexting. There are questions at the end of each section for parents and kids to discuss how they can avoid situations that lead to embarrassment, shame and bullying.
The book discusses:
- What is sexting?
- How does it impact the brain?
- What are digital footprints?
- What if you feel pressured to sext?
- How do you handle boyfriend-girlfriend relationships and sexting?
- What is cyberbullying?
- How do parents and teens develop trust?
- How can we all use the internet for good?
50 Real Heroes for Boys
50 Real Heroes for Boys teaches young boys everywhere that being a man only requires being yourself—but your best self. Bright, colorful portraits by over a dozen international artists accompany true stories of men who knew that character—things like integrity, kindness, empathy, courage, respect for women, and more—mixed with their own unique gifts—art, athletics, creativity, dance, music, curiosity, and more—could make the world a better place. Readers will find Jackie Robinson, who used courage to break barriers in sports; Jim Henson, who used humor to uplift the lives of millions; Dav Pilkey, who used perseverance to push through dyslexia and become one of the world's most successful children's book authors; and many more! The book also includes dozens of stories of women like Marie Curie, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Jane Goodall, because boys can have women heroes too! Written by marriage and family therapist Christy Monson, 50 Real Heroes for Boys reminds boys everywhere what true masculinity is all about.
Inspire courage, character, and individuality with 50 stories of real heroes—for boys! True accounts of men and women who showed what being a true hero is really about. Boys will be inspired by the incredible heroics of William Wilberforce, who fought to end slavery in the UK; Dav Pilkey, who persevered through ADHD and dyslexia to become a renowned author and cartoonist; Mahatma Gandhi, who showed that fighting doesn't always require fists; Todd Beamer, whose sacrifice prevented a national tragedy; Jim Henson, who touched million with his passion for puppets; and many more!
Featured in the Children's Book Council reading list showcase for Summer 2021!
Finding Peace in Times of Tragedy: The Keys to Peace and Joy When Facing Crisis
Finding peace in times of worldwide trauma is difficult, and finding peace in times of personal trauma such as a family death or tragedy can be overwhelming. Therapist Christy Monson professionally and compassionately describes how tragedy physically changes the brain and the body, and she provides powerful techniques to help heal those invisible wounds and cope with the turmoil of our day.
Chapters are interspersed with moving, first-hand accounts that span the range of human tragedy, including those from
- A 9/11 survivor
- Parents who had two children die of brain tumors
- A mother whose son lost a leg in a road side bomb in Afghanistan
- A young adult whose father committed suicide
- And a rape survivor.
Through detailed research, years of experience, and detailed interviews with survivors, Monson shows that there is hope for not just peace but also joy after tragedy.
In Finding Peace in Times of Tragedy, Christy Monson recounts compelling stories from her decades of professionally healing families in tragic circumstances. Monson pairs her wisdom alongside tender, provoking stories that illustrate tragedy in the lives of past clients and also in her own life. The stories of growth and healing are masterfully and lovingly retold. As a therapist who specializes in helping children through trauma, I've found this book a powerful and wonderful new tool in helping my clients heal.
Nefily Ledezma, LMFT
This powerful and wonderful book explores and explains one of the most crucial topics in our society. Finding Peace in Times of Tragedy is a moving and compassionate portrayal of what people and communities are searching for in a world filled with chaos, tragedy, and uncertainty. Anyone who is looking for answers to almost seemingly unanswerable questions should read this book from Christy Monson.
Dennis J. Carradin Jr., LPCMH, NCC, BCETS, Founder and CEO, The Trauma Survivors Foundation
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Banished
When our fathers crawled out of the underworld to settle the desert area near the Great Painted Canyon, the Eagle, protector of the skies, welcomed them.
Dre has waited twelve summers to become a man in his clan, but during the ceremony the chief banishes him. Will he die in the desert? Dre sees a golden eagle following him and discovers the great bird is his recently deceased father returned to him as a spirit guide. More trouble awaits from a neighboring clan, and Dre scrambles to survive in the world.
Becoming Free, A Woman's Guide to Internal Strength
Free yourself from the skewed perspectives stemming from archaic childhood beliefs. These youthful misconceptions can serve as barriers in adulthood to keep love and positive energy at arm's length, denying you the quality of life you deserve.
This book will guide you through a step by step process with specific assignments at the end of each chapter to help you enhance your quality of life.
Christy Monson has accomplished a masterful task of translating that which is most often written about conceptually into step-by-step directions on how to live a satisfying and productive life!
Margaret Johansen, PhD, MFT, Author of the upcoming book, Beat The Relationship Odds
From relevant life examples, to practical resolutions, Christy recognizes women's challenges and provides feasible step by step guides to "become a solution focused person." An empowering workbook that is extremely valuable in its simplicity.
Robyn Buttars, RN
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Family Talk: How to Organize Family Meetings to Solve Problems and Strengthen Relationships
Christy Monson, a retired family therapist, provides in simple language concrete examples and clear language to family success through family councils.
While families are diverse and their needs are unique, a family council provides a safe and strong environment for every family to discuss issues and explore the best ways to have the family succeed. A family council is not just any meeting. It's a special event that provides a background and foundation to create healthy family synergy. Monson teaches families what a family council is and what it is not, why it's a perfect environment for teaching, for exploring difficult issues, learning how to play, and how best to solve problems at home, school, or work.
Christy Monson's straightforward, easy-to-understand guide will help families of all sizes and types, through the communication and caring that comes from great family councils. Learn how councils work and how to easily implement them. The author's expertise as a former family counselor and successful mother shine through in this offering. Highly recommended.
Margot Hovley, Author of The End Begins: Sudden Darkness, With Wondering Awe, and The Sower
Praise for Family Talk
The Family Council Guidebook is a vital and necessary addition to every home. In this day and age when emails, chat rooms, and staring at computer screens are rapidly replacing real-time interaction, what better corrective could there be than a guidebook to how to talk with one another in meaningful, productive and healing ways. Christy Monson knows what she is talking about. It is a great blessing that she is sharing it with all of us.
Ben Bernstein, PhD, author of Test Success! and A Teen's Guide to Success
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Lessons From My Parents: 100 Shared Moments that Changed Our Lives
Have you ever experienced a moment in your life when you began to appreciate the stories and lessons your parents might have shared with you? Perhaps it was a moment quietly working when your father told you of his painful experience during WWII; or when your mother taught you about beauty while picking daffodils for her neighbor; or when in a moment of tragedy you recall how your parents handled something so difficult with such poise and strength that it helped you go on? Our culture and our history is created through personal stories, whether funny or sad, light or difficult, poignant or profound. Lessons From My Parents has collected 75 such stories from writers from across the world and shares them in this seminal work celebrating the life lessons we learn without even realizing it.
Familius is a publishing company focused on helping families be happy. Launched in 2012, Christopher and Michele Robbins founded Familius to take advantage of their love of publishing, family and the unique opportunity created during the technological revolution and Great Recession.
Love, Hugs, and Hope: When Scary Things Happen
This is a book about love and light and is meant to help children everywhere begin the process of healing from tragedy.
Love, Hugs, and Hope: When Scary Things Happen aims to help children find safe ways to express their feelings when bad things happen. A beautiful two part message is embedded at the core of this lovely book. It proclaims: "Love chases away hate and light chases away the dark."
Midwestbookreview.com
To my mind, the book accomplishes what the author set out to do and so eloquently states in her book: "Love chases away hate and light chases away the dark."
Drienie Hattingh, former resident of South Africa
The story has a great feeling to it — a warm, calming, friendly — but serious — feeling. It is told in a very simple way, but I think it tells a big story. I believe this is a book that every family will have use of in their house.
Eric, thiskidreviewsbooks.com
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