#christinebaldacchino

[noodlenuts]

This month at the RwR Book Club we're celebrating stories of love and bravery, and I cannot think of a more deserving book to spotlight than Christine Baldacchino's brand new "Violet Shrink" (2019), illustrated by Carmen Mok, which moved me so profoundly that I found myself in happy tears upon finishing it. If you or your child are an introvert, or autistic, or have ever been anxious or socially awkward, or suffered from sensory overload of any sort, Violet is your girl. And she is awesome. She is fun, and interesting, and multifaceted; but she likes quiet things, and her solitude. And no celery in her soup. And "Violet Shrink" is about a kind of courage we don't often discuss: the courage to stand up to those who love us, and those who mean well, and set boundaries for our mental health. The bravery to say, "I know that you are trying to help me, but what you love is never going to be what works for me, and compromise is not just me trying your things, it is also YOU understanding MY needs." "Violet Shrink" is a triumph of affirmation, of supportive parenting, of teaching kids that it's okay to be who they are. BUY THIS BOOK. Seriously. Also because it's just a great story. For more beautiful stories of bravery and boldness, check out our other club members (tagged on the final slide), and join in this month with #findmestories_heart ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #violetshrink #christinebaldacchino #carmenmok #carmenmokstudio #everythingpurple #purple #violet #anxiety #anxiouskids #sensoryprocessingdisorder #spd #socialanxiety #autistickids #kidswithautism #autismfamily #asd #autismacceptance #autismawareness #autismmom #autismdad #kidsmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/B8HNdGdHxly/?igshid=lvnatmqx56fl

[cellardoorskeptics]

#32: Cellar Door Skeptics and The Tangerine Dress

[noodlenuts]

All children need to feel loved and accepted. Period. 👗👗👗 But I think it's just as important that we, as adults, remember that some issues aren't just about politics and "personal beliefs". When we insist on gendering everything, we stifle EVERY child's imagination and creativity, not just those struggling with their identities. I have lots of pictures of myself with male friends, as toddlers in the '70s, dressed up gleefully in my mom's old maternity clothes, having the time of our lives. Those friends grew up to be cisgender, straight men ... and wonderful fathers. Kids need to be allowed to pretend and imagine! So today, for World Mental Health Day, I'm sharing Christine Baldacchino and Isabelle Malenfant's wonderful "Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress" (2014), about a little boy who loves to play in his favourite colourful, rustly dress from the dress-up box at school. The book does a beautiful job of addressing the negative reactions he gets, how they affect him, and ultimately how Morris reminds those around him that imagination shouldn't have limits or boundaries, and everyone deserves to enjoy the things that make them happy. ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #morrismicklewhiteandthetangerinedress #morrismicklewhite #christinebaldacchino #isabellemalenfant #worldsmentalhealthday #worldmentalhealthday #mentalhealthday #pretendplay #dressup #dressupplay #imaginativeplay #imagination #bullying #inclusion #nonbinarykids #transgenderkids #genderfluidkids #useyourimagination #stopbullying #creativeplay #readwithriver_discussions #letthembelittle #magicofchildhood #kidsbooks #learnathome #getcreativewith #raisingkindkids #invitationtoexplore https://www.instagram.com/p/B3cU3BWnnaB/?igshid=1dpjiajbpifkn