San Francisco Book Review on “The Joy Thief” by Sean McCallum

The Joy Thief is an inspirational tale about overcoming one’s fears. The author, a firefighter and crisis intervention specialist, tells a story about a girl who becomes traumatized by a seemingly ordinary experience. The terrifying day began with a spider jumping on the little girl’s face. When the girl reacted (by screaming), her mother arrived in a huff, insisting that she keep down the noise. When she left, the door slammed behind her, causing the girl to feel an overwhelming amount of fear. This social-emotional rhyming story proves children can experience events that alter their way of thinking.

The girl’s “joy thief” (which is visually represented as a spider) follows her wherever she goes, reminding her of the fear she felt that day and preventing her from experiencing heightened feelings of happiness. She is finally able to talk with her mother and opens up about how she’s felt controlled by her fear lately. Adults may not realize that a certain event can contribute to a heightened state of panic that can continue to grow, making it difficult to participate in daily activities. The author encourages open communication by providing a guide for adults to stay present and open with children.

Read the whole review here

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Author Sean McCallum
Star Count 5/5
Format Trade
Page Count 32 pages
Publisher Loving Healing Press
Publish Date 01-Apr-2022
ISBN 9781615996667
Bookshop.org Buy this Book
Issue June 2022
Category Children’s
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Billy Had To Move: A Foster Care Story

978-1-932690-87-3
$19.95
In stock
1
Product Details
UPC: 978-1-932690-87-3
Brand: Loving Healing Press
Child Protection Services have been involved with Billy and his mother for some
time now. He has been happily settled in a kinship placement with his grandmother
and enjoys his pet cat, interacting with neighbors and even taking piano
lessons. As the story unfolds, Billy's grandmother has unexpectedly passed away
and so the story of Billy Had To Move begins.


Unfortunately, Billy's mother cannot be located. Mr. Murphy, Billy's social
worker, places him in the foster home of Amy, Tim, and their baby "Colly." Billy
experiences great loss resulting not only from his grandmother's death, but also
the loss of the life he knew. Billy's inner journey therefore has also begun and with
the help of Ms. Woods, a Play Therapist, there is hope.


Therapists' Acclaim for Billy Had To Move


"This gem of a book gently frames the stages of a child's natural quest to make
sense of his story. Fraser has created more than a teaching story: she generously
offers a sacred space that compassionately holds and supports the multidimensional
realities of our foster children and their birth families, our social workers and
foster families, our teachers and child psychotherapists."

--Gisela Schubach De Domenico, PhD, MFT, R-PTS


"Billy Had To Move is a profound story about the complex issues children in foster
care often face. Fraser provides important lessons for caregivers. The book
gracefully introduces the sandtray and provides insight into how powerful the experience
can be when the child has an opportunity to explore their trauma in the
sandtray."
--Mark E. Hulbert, MA, LLP


"A wonderful addition to the bibliotherapy field. This is a much-needed book for
foster care children to help them in adjusting to a new caregiver and placement. It
offers a welcoming view of how children's worries and losses can be understood
by a caring Play Therapist, in a warm and inviting setting."

--Athena A. Drewes, PsyD, RPT-S; Director of Clinical Training,
The Astor Home for Children, Poughkeepsie, NY


"In this engaging, warm-hearted story, Billy grieving the loss of his grandmother,
finds a way to heal by expressing his thoughts and feelings in Play Therapy.
Highly recommended!"
--Charles E. Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S
Director Emeritus, The Association for Play Therapy


Learn More About This Book at www.TheresaFraser.com


From the Growing With Love series at Loving Healing Press www.LovingHealing.com


Juvenile Fiction : Family - Orphans & Foster Homes
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