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Book Cover for: Joy! You Find What You Look for: Volume 1, Gina Prosch

Joy! You Find What You Look for: Volume 1

Gina Prosch

Holly is having a miserable, rotten day!

She forgot her "show" for Show and Tell. She dropped her sandwich on the floor. She had to wait and wait and wait because Mom was the very last car in the pickup line, and she's soaked to the bone from the rain. Nothing good has happened to her all day!

When Holly climbs into the backseat of the family car, she gives her mom an earful. She doesn't even bother to acknowledge the cupcake and juice Mom has waiting for her. Holly is completely focused on all the things that are terrible or awful or boring.

Mom really doesn't want to spend the car ride home listening to a litany of her daughter's complaints and grievances. To lighten the mood, she convinces Holly to play a game of Count the Red Cars. But when they arrive home, Mom doesn't ask Holly how many red cars she saw. Instead, she asks Holly how many yellow cars she spotted.

The game was never really about cars and colors. It was actually a lesson about what you choose to see, and now Holly will never look at life the same way again!

Author Gina Prosch explores how easy it can be for kids to become so fixated on problems and disappointments that they ignore or simply miss all the good, funny, and joyful things that are happening around them. A special page written specifically for parents and educators offers insights and practical tips on helping children find more joy each and every day.

Joy! You Find What You Look For is the first title in the Holly's Choice book series. Written for young children ages 5 to 11, the series is designed to empower children to live with more joy, hope, and love.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Boys Town Press
  • Publish Date: Aug 1st, 2023
  • Pages: 31
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.82in - 8.74in - 0.08in - 0.65lb
  • EAN: 9798889070016
  • Recommended age: 05-11
  • Categories: Social Themes - Emotions & FeelingsSocial Themes - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance

About the Author

Merriman, Kyle: -

KYLE MERRIMAN is a professional illustrator and concept artist with experience designing various games, books, and animated short films. He earned his BFA in Illustration from Brigham Young University, and currently resides with his wife in Orem, UT.

Praise for this book

An absolutely delightful read.
I had a smile on my face throughout the entire story. Even as an adult, this book is relatable - but what a phenomenal analogy to use for children. Joy comes even on the rainiest days...you just have to look for it. This is simply a wonderful life lesson to teach in the form of a beautiful story - I will definitely be reading this one to the children in my life of all ages!

--- Review by Kendra G. on 18 Mar 2023

A joy indeed. My wife and I have had the honor and pleasure to preview *Joy! You Find What You Look For*, and we find it to be a true delight, both the story and illustrations. What an invaluable lesson, told in an adorable way, to help children begin learning to focus on the good rather than the bad, and in doing so to develop a more positive, productive, healthy approach to life, both in the present and for the future. We're very much looking forward to having copies in hand to share with our three granddaughters.

---Review by Quent C. on 20 Mar 2023

This story is beautifully illustrated with a wonderful lesson. The illustrations are brightly colored and engaging. Joy! is told from the perspective of Holly, who has had a bad, bad day. Her mother reminds her to look for joy even on the bad days and shows her how to change her perspective. While this book is a great story for any child, as an RBT, I believe this story could easily be incorporated into ABA sessions with neurodivergent children who are dealing with negative thoughts about themselves and their environment.

-Ashlin Treat, Reviewer

Incredibly sweet children's book with gorgeous illustrations that really captures a young child's determination that the world is against them when they are grumpy. I am sure many adults can also relate to this! Clever and subtle storytelling makes us realize that when we often spend so long looking for the bad things that happen that we fail to see the good, the power of gratitude is often lauded in adult psychology but it's wonderful to see it being mentioned in children's books. I especially appreciated the tips at the end that helps inform adults and children alike on finding the joy.

-Cara McDermott, Reviewer

As a 25-year educator who has read countless character-building text with students, I can't say enough to recommend Joy! You Find What You Look For. It's a must-have on every educator's shelf!

Help students see the good surrounding them in each and every day while developing a positive attitude toward any challenge they take on.

---Dr. Kim Rogers, Instructional Coach, Jefferson City Public Schools