Stewie BOOM! Starts School

by Bronstein, Young (Illustrator)

Overview

Stewie BOOM! Starts School will help children aged 3-6 prepare to enter pre-k or kindergarten. Stewie BOOM! is a loud, comical, and sometimes cranky child, who has a big problem: he had a very bad first day of school! His entire family (including the pets) works together to solve Stewie's problem. The next day, Stewie has a very good day at school. This illustrated book includes an interview with two well-regarded child psychologists who give simple tips and practical advice to parents on smoothing their children's transition into school.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780990465201
Publisher:	Nothing But the Truth Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	06/30/2014
Series:	Stewie BOOM!
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Christine Bronstein is the founder of Nothing But The Truth Publishing an independent publishing imprint specializing in works diverse female authors. She is the author of the Stewie Boom! series of children’s books and founder of A Band of Women, a social network and information website for women. She is a graduate of the Columbia/UC-Berkeley executive MBA program. Her writing has been published on Forbes.com, in The San Francisco Chronicle, and on Maria Shriver's website. Christine has been featured in Elle.com, 7x7 Magazine, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Christine is married to Center For Investigative Reporting Executive Chair Phil Bronstein and is mother to three children.

While attending the Rhode Island School of Design, Karen Young discovered the joy that the arts can bring children who suffer from illness. She earned a Masters degree in Art Psychotherapy with a focus of Pediatric Medical Art Therapy, and she had the honor of working at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington DC. She was able to utilize her Art Therapy with children afflicted with serious illnesses to decrease the emotional trauma they experience when diagnosed with cancer, AIDS, cardiac problems, motor vehicle accident injuries, and physical abuse. Her current chapter of life is dedicated to her family, storytelling, creating art, and fundraising in Marin County, CA.

Editorial Reviews

2014-08-21
In Bronstein's illustrated debut children's book, a boy becomes upset when he first starts school because he doesn't know what's going to happen next. Making the transition to attending school isn't always easy for kids. Although young Stewie's parents try to reassure him by telling him he'll enjoy it, he's still nervous. Right away, he has to deal with some uncomfortable feelings: "[T]he teacher said, ‘All Daddies and Mommies have to leave now.' That made me sad and feeling sad makes me mad." Later, just as Stewie settles into an activity, such as playing with trains, it's time to do something else. Sudden transitions, rules, being told what to do—his parents didn't prepare him for this. "Can you get me outta here?" Stewie asks the teacher at nap time. Eventually, he acts up so much that his mother has to come get him. At home, his older brother and younger sister sweetly try to cheer him up, but nothing really helps until Stewie has a late-night brainstorm to make a picture-schedule of his day, which will allow him to feel ready for each activity. His second day of school goes much better: "And when it was music time, I sang the loudest. (I am a BOOM, after all.)" Throughout, Bronstein never shames Stewie for his loud, exuberant nature or his need to know what happens next. Instead, his parents and siblings respect his feelings and work together to solve his problem—a great lesson for all families. The book appends a discussion with two child-development experts, explaining the theoretical underpinnings of the book; this section contains thorough, helpful advice, such as urging parents to practice school routines with their child ahead of time. Young's delightfully quirky, colorful illustrations charmingly help tell the story as they convey Stewie's personality. Further resources, including a blank, printable "What Happens Next" picture-schedule, are available on the author's website.Practical advice for parents and an entertainingly helpful get-ready book for kids starting school.

Kirkus Reviews