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    The Children's Book Review

    What I Tell Myself FIRST: Children’s Real-World Affirmations of Self Esteem | Dedicated Review

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze3 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Author Showcase Picture Books Social Emotional
    Book What I Tell Myself First
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    Sponsored*
    The Children’s Book Review

    Buy the BookWhat I Tell Myself FIRST: Children’s Real-World Affirmations of Self Esteem

    Written by Michael A. Brown

    Illustrated by Zoe Ranucci

    Age Range: 4+

    Hardcover: 32 pages

    Publisher: Mabma Enterprises, LLC (November 19, 2019)

    ISBN-13: 978-1734184815

    What to expect: Life Lessons

    “I must love me FIRST.

    I must be selfish before I am selfless.”

    In What I Tell Myself FIRST, readers of all shapes, sizes, and colors are embraced for lessons on self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-love. Affirmations such as I am beautiful; I like me; I respect me, are presented in bold text, followed by a short set of words to add context and understanding. Thanks to designated places for the reader to write their name and fill in some words throughout the book, they get to take a leading role in their journey toward self-actualization.

    Michael Brown provides some solid building blocks from which children and their caregivers can launch directly into the vital realm of social-emotional learning. The pages are presented with clear and concise messaging, and it is evident that he has drawn from his numerous experiences working in the US Army, as a police officer, an anger management specialist, a nonviolent crisis intervention instructor, and an educator. The illustrations by Zoe Ranucci are inclusive and diverse in their representation of children of varying skin colors, as well as children with disabilities, making this a book that readers will see themselves in as well as their neighbors.

    Children discovering the importance of self-love is a beautiful thing. If you’re looking for some real-world wisdom to share with the kids in your life, certainly try reading What I Tell Myself First.

    Buy the Book

    Buy on Amazon

    About the Author
    Author Photo of Zoe Ranucci
    Michael A Brown

    Born in Chicago, IL, Michael A. (Mike) Brown, MA is the author of a revolutionary social-emotional children’s book, What I Tell Myself FIRST: Children’s Real-World Affirmations of Self-Esteem. Based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, this book of real-world affirmations highlights the various abilities and attributes of the reader while exposing readers to realistic possibilities of rejection of difference in various forms thereby enabling readers to form mental frameworks to surmount those forms of rejection and achieve positive self-actualization. Mr. Brown is a product of the Chicago Public School system. He served in the United States Army and in various communities as a police officer. He is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of MABMA Enterprises, LLC and the principal instructor of Security Training Concepts, a training agency specializing in collegiate/career occupational courses in multiple criminal justice and self-defense-related disciplines. Mr. Brown also serves as a nationally-certified anger management specialist and Crisis Prevention Institute-certified nonviolent crisis intervention instructor. He is the father of four beautiful children and believes in raising them into the best strong, capable, productive, responsible, and most importantly, happy human beings they can be. A former adjunct college professor and advocate of education, Mr. Brown is a graduate of Governors State University in University Park, Illinois, having been conferred a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Criminal Justice, Psychology and Philosophy) in 2006 and a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 2012. He serves as an innovative and fresh approach to leadership, training, and empowerment and is a member of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, the National Anger Management Association, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

    Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This non-biased review of What I Tell Myself FIRST: Children’s Real-World Affirmations of Self Esteem was sponsored* by Michael A. Brown. Learn more about getting a book review …

    What to Read Next:

    1. Stella the Starfish, by Shaun Rawls and Sarah Moran | Dedicated Review
    2. Dynomike: Pay it Forward, by Frankie B. Rabbit | Dedicated Review
    3. A Day of Pride, by Roy Youldous-Raiss | Dedicated Review
    4. Don’t Call Me Fuzzybutt!, by Robin Newman | Dedicated Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Affirmations Books with Life Lessons cultural diversity Dedicated Review Diversity Life Lessons Mabma Enterprises LLC Michael A. Brown Picture Book Social-Emotional
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    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    2 Comments

    1. Michael Brown on January 6, 2020 12:18 am

      I greatly thank you for your honest review. This is a work that will definitely help in the healing that so many children and adults need.

      Reply
      • Bianca Schulze on January 6, 2020 8:27 pm

        You’re so very welcome!! Thank you for your dedication to the social-emotional wellbeing of children!

        Reply
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