Synopsis: Research has shown that building resilience in the face of adversity or challenges helps children and young people develop effective coping strategies and improve long-term outcomes across a spectrum of illnesses. “You Are So Much More: An Inspiration for Children Healing from Illness or Injury” by author Serena Tejpar and illustrators Anoosha Lalani and Iman Tejpar reminds children who have gone through or are going through an illness or injury, that they are indeed so much more.
With the publication of “You Are So Much More: An Inspiration for Children Healing from Illness or Injury“, trauma survivor and medical student Serena Tejpar shares a story of inspiration, reflection, and encouragement that can be read over and over again.
Critique: Thoroughly ‘child friendly’ in storyline and presentation, “You Are So Much More: An Inspiration for Children Healing from Illness or Injury” is a superbly crafted picture book for children ages 5-7. While very highly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library health/medicine collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that “You Are So Much More: An Inspiration for Children Healing from Illness or Injury” is also available in a paperback edition (9781615996322, $16.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.95).
Editorial Note: Serena Tejpar is a medical student at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto with a Master of Science in Global Health and a Certificate in Narrative-Based Medicine. Serena carries a passion for the intersection of health humanities and clinical practice. She was commended for her commitment to improving the Canadian healthcare system and addressing inequities in healthcare systems worldwide following her experience as a trauma patient after a near-fatal motor vehicle collision in 2015. She has received numerous awards and honours in recognition of her leadership, community service, and resilience including being named YMCA Ontario’s Young Woman of Excellence, Top 50 Emerging Canadian Leader, and a Young Director with G(irls)20.
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/sep_22.htm#Health
The Health Shelf
You Are So Much More
Serena Tejpar, author
Anoosha Lalani & Iman Tejpar, illustrators
Loving Healing Press
5145 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
www.lovinghealing.com
9781615996339, $29.95, HC, 44pp
Jennifer Bonn
I recently retired from teaching after forty years. During that time, I have tried to balance my writing, my teaching, and my family life. Retirement is offering me the chance to spend more time with my writing and I could not be more grateful. Let me tell you about my passion for writing.
My years in the classroom have taught me lessons I have used in my writing. One of the things that teaching has taught me is that everyone needs some encouragement, even when life is full of blessings. I enjoy providing that encouragement for both my students and my readers. Teaching also taught me the importance of community and relationships. I hope I can help readers find the way to build the community and life they need to be happy.
Writing has always been an activity that gives me peace. I tell people I am usually smiling when I am writing. My specialties are parenting, running, education, and self-help. I self-published a teaching guide called Stay Away from the Girl’s Bathroom. (The girl’s bathroom at my school was where all the drama happened, so you entered at your own risk.) I write monthly essays for my local media in two magazines and our newspaper. I have been published in a variety of magazines from Trail Runner to Atlanta Parents. I have a blog that you can reach at www.jenniferswriting.org, a Pinterest page that is found at https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferbonn, and I can be found at medium.com.
