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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Luck or Miracle

SKU 978-1-61599-777-0
$19.95
A World War II POW's Survival Story
1
Product Details
UPC: 978-1-61599-777-0
Brand: Modern History Press
Binding: Paperback
Audiobook: Audible, iTunes
Edition: 1st
Author: Reginald Bollich and James Bollich
Pages: 122
Publication Date: 11/01/2024

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." - Nelson Mandela

Jim Bollich, a 102-year-old World War II soldier, offers a first-person account of courage, fortitude and the will to survive three years of frost-bitten captivity as a POW in Manchuria, enduring the Bataan Death March, thirst, starvation, diseases, a 32-day sea voyage (crammed into the hold of a Japanese hell ship) and aerial bombings. After liberation, the transport ship to take him home hit a mine and lost power. A violent typhoon ensued and he had to lash himself to a bulkhead above deck to survive.

Jim survived because he strengthened his mind to confront evil and overcome fear in the face of danger, beatings and pain. Daily prayer strengthened his will to live.

"The unselfish actions of James Bollich are perfect examples of how dedication and love of country are manifested and have kept our country free. His narrative shows how a humiliating defeat on the battlefield can turn one's life upside down and create untenable situations that force one to overcome some of the most horrific situations imaginable and to realize that only through Providence can one survive." -- Major General Bob "Hawk" Hollingsworth, USMC (Retired)

From Modern History Press

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