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Julie Koon is an author-illustrator of books for children. She is also an elementary school counselor, where she helps kids learn how to navigate their feelings and the big wide world. She lives in Decatur, Georgia, with her husband and three children. Julie has taken many rides on the Struggle Bus in making this book, and is excited to share it with the world.
Delightful illustrations accompany the rhyming text in this children's book about dealing with negative feelings like anger and frustration. At the end of the book is a list of ideas to help children calm themselves when they're feeling angry or have a hard time dealing with their feelings. There's also a little section about how struggling can benefit developing brains, explaining that children learn the most when they make mistakes, thus normalizing failure as part of the learning process. Written by a school counselor, The Struggle Bus would be a good read aloud for storytime at the library or in the classroom as the repetitive Grumble, rumble, bump, and bop invites the listener to participate in the story. I would also recommend it to parents of young children who want to help their children develop their social emotional learning skills. -- Monica B., Librarian * NetGalley * The Struggle Bus is perhaps the best SEL text I have read this year. Now when I explain to my students that their feelings, experiences, and emotions are human experiences that happen to everyone, I will have a super awesome picture book to go with it. I love everything about this text, from illustrations from which students can infer feelings and moods to the message of reaching out and being ok with getting support from friends, family, and teachers. Hard things make our brains grow! -- Kids Read * NetGalley * This sweet story about riding the struggle bus has beautiful illustrations that really illuminate those tough feelings that are hard for young children to identify. The idea of taking a bumpy path, feeling the need to cry or yell, feeling frustrated, and then finding your way is one that will surely resonate with all ages. The end of the book includes a message about persevering, how hard things make your brain grow, and ways you can get support from friends or loved ones. This would be a wonderful addition to any library, counselor's office, or teacher's classroom. I highly recommend this book! -- Carolyn C., Librarian * NetGalley *
