Staff Picks 

Staff Picks, March 2023:
Title:  The Whole-Brain Child
Authors: Daniel Siegel, M.D., Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
Subject:  Parenting strategies to foster emotional intelligence in children

In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. And especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. No wonder kids throw tantrums, fight, or sulk in silence. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth.

Complete with age-appropriate strategies for dealing with day-to-day struggles and illustrations that will help you explain these concepts to your child, The Whole-Brain Child shows you how to cultivate healthy emotional and intellectual development so that your children can lead balanced, meaningful, and connected lives.

Staff Picks, February 2023:
Title:  Silent Agreements:  How to free your relationships of unspoken expectations

Authors: Linda D. Anderson, PhD, Sonia R. Banks, PhD, Michele L. Owens, PhD

Subject:  Communication

Silent Agreements will help readers define the unspoken beliefs and expectations that might be causing dissatisfaction, unhappiness, and resentment in their relationships, giving them the tools to explore these agreements and work toward healthier communication with a partner, friend, boss, or family member.

Staff Picks, January 2023:
Title: The Color Monster
Author: Anna Llenas
Subject: Unpack feelings with color in this international bestseller that helps young readers identify emotions and feel more in control.

One day, Color Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad, and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows him what each feeling means through color. As this adorable monster learns to sort and define his mixed up emotions, he gains self-awareness and peace as a result. Everyone will enjoy sharing this concept book that taps into both socio-emotional growth and color concepts in a simple, friendly way.

Staff Picks, December 2022:

Title: Feeling good - the new mood therapy

Author:  David D. Burns, MD

Subject:  Recognizing your moods and learn techniques to assist you in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety 

From renowned psychiatrist Dr. David D. Burns, the revolutionary volume that popularized Dr. Aaron T. Beck’s cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and has helped millions combat feelings of depression and develop greater self-esteem.

Anxiety and depression are the most common mental illnesses in the world, affecting 18% of the U.S. population every year. But for many, the path to recovery seems daunting, endless, or completely out of reach.

The good news is that anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self-esteem, and other "black holes" of depression can be alleviated. In Feeling Good, eminent psychiatrist, David D. Burns, M.D., outlines the remarkable, scientifically proven techniques that will immediately lift your spirits and help you develop a positive outlook on life, enabling you to:

• Nip negative feelings in the bud

• Recognize what causes your mood swings

• Deal with guilt

• Handle hostility and criticism

• Overcome addiction to love and approval

• Build self-esteem

• Feel good everyday