Book Reviews:

I Love Myself:

"Purchasing Angela Smith's 'I Love Myself' book was one of the best purchases I've ever made. As a relief teacher I am always looking for new ways to inspire children. I take 'I Love Myself' along with me to every class I teach. And neither I , nor the children ever tire of it. It's an inspiration for all ages!

All the best Angela.
Take care,
Janey xo

"Congratulations on such a wonderful book. I was given a copy of I Love Myself by a friend of mine and love it. When I'm reading it to my son it makes me think of how I can parent him to achieve feeling that way about himself, it reminds me not only to be conscious of his behaviour etc but how he feels inside too. And now of course I want to share it with the world!"

Courtenay Heaton,
Plunket Committee Member,
Torbay

"I am delighted to have come across Angela's gorgeous self-published book, "I Love Myself". On reading it for the first time, I was immediately struck by how accurately Angela has identified the building blocks of a child's self-esteem, and addressed each one of them in a fun and accessible way. If that weren't enough, the illustrations are adorable and appropriate.

You can't help but feel good when you read this book!"

Alison Mau,
Televison host,
TVNZ

"It's gorgeous; a fantastic little book and beautifully illustrated by little and big hands ― with some wonderful, wonderful messages there."

Suzy Cato,
Children's Television Presenter

"Congratulations on a thought-provoking book which I will use in exploration of feelings and self-esteem when working with pre-schoolers."

Ruth E Miller,
East Coast Bays Community Centre

"We found the book 'I love Myself' a wonderful story that could be used in different ways and at all levels of the school. It also covers some of the expectations of the New Zealand Curriculum with many of the values included in this document reinforced in this book."

Pam King,
Principal,
Kauri Park School

"It's a very safe way of encouraging children to explore different feelings. Children seem to understand and respond, they think of ways of dealing with the situations through the messages in this book."

Zahra,
Montessori preschool,
Ponsonby

"The pictures and statements found on the pages are very moving ... the contents fit so closely with our school-wide values and attitudes. And the blank pages at the back, where a child can write their own messages about why they love themselves, is my favourite. I've used these pages so often with children to boost their self-esteem"

Megan Bowden,
principal,
Oteha Valley School

"This little book contains a bundle of positive messages that can be used to work through a range of social skills and mental health promotion topics with young children. The themes running through the pages are illustrated wonderfully by children of all ages, and the words are pitched at a level that most early readers could cope with (although the book would lend itself equally well to paired reading or use in a kindergarten or school group reading setting).

It uses examples of everyday situations and tools to help children negotiate common social challenges such as being an individual, making friends, doing things for others and communication skills. The beauty of this book is that it delivers these messages in a light, colourful and accessible package for all ages."

Gail Fotheringham,
Mental Health Foundation,
Youth Representative

I Love Mum and Dad:

“At a time of separation with two young children, this book opened a space for communication and exploration into the definition and feeling of love, a bond that still held us together even though we were moving apart. It embraces the polarity of life and declares and reaffirms an appreciation that in each statement includes both parents. Out of all the books we have read (and that is many, many books!) the kids remember this one. I highly recommend it in both good and bad times."

Theresa Grainger
Parent

"This new book 'I Love Mum and Dad' will positively assist children to celebrate and enjoy their relationship with each of their parents. Good family relationships and communication skills make a world of difference if tough times happen - and so does loving and being loved."

Tricia Irving Hendry,
Deputy Chief Executive
Skylight.

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I Love My Dog:

"I love my Dog" is a fantastic book which captures the essence of living with a dog in the form of beautiful drawings by young dog lovers themselves...

The pictures highlight in a fun way the importance of looking after your animal from the joy of giving your dog a bath to ensuring they get plenty of exercise.

Throughout the book you are reminded of the true blessings that dogs bring, "I love my dog" is a wonderful creation...it gets five woofs from me :)

Doggy Dan,
Author Speak Professional dog trainer and Behavioural Specialist,
www.doggydan.com

"Respect for animals is one of the lessons that children have to learn in life, in this story it is respect for dogs. And one of the ways this respect is additionally taught in this book is via the important section entitled Charlie's Safety Tips that educate the young reader on how to relate safely with dogs e.g. let a dog come to you, offer your hand and when you pat a dog stroke only the dog's chin, chest or shoulder - very wise as dogs are territorial and while we think we own a dog in fact the dog owns us and we are part of its territory." - Bob's Books