The Book of Me: A children’s journal of self-discovery
The School of Life Children's Books Series
What’s inside...
The Book of Me is a guided journal designed for children aged 9-12, aimed at fostering self-discovery and exploration of their own minds. It includes interactive exercises, writing prompts, and drawing activities, encouraging children to explore their moods, imagination, and conscience. By engaging with psychology and philosophy in a fun way, this book acts as an introduction to self-knowledge, helping children grow into calmer, wiser, and more rounded individuals while promoting emotional well-being and confidence.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What is one thing you discovered about yourself today that made you happy?
If you could have any superpower based on your personality, what would it be and why?
What are three words you would use to describe yourself, and why do you think they fit you well?
Imagine your future self in ten years; what advice would you give to yourself right now?
What qualities do you look for in a friend, and do you see any of those qualities in yourself?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a gentle and curious tone to encourage openness without pressure.
Share your own answers to these questions to model self-reflection and create a reciprocal conversation.
Validate their feelings and thoughts to reinforce their self-esteem and confidence in their own insights.
Encourage them to draw or write in the journal if they're more comfortable expressing themselves in non-verbal ways.
Keep the conversation light and fun to maintain their interest and enthusiasm about self-discovery.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-awareness
Explanation: The book encourages children to reflect on their thoughts and feelings through guided journal entries, fostering a deeper understanding of themselves.
Real-World Application: Children can apply self-awareness by recognizing their emotions and responses in various situations, helping them make thoughtful decisions.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: By considering different perspectives presented in the journal prompts, children learn to understand and share the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children in their interactions with peers, promoting kindness and consideration in their social environments.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The journal's activities stimulate imagination, prompting kids to express themselves through writing, drawing, and other creative outlets.
Real-World Application: Creativity learned can be applied in problem-solving tasks at school or in play, encouraging innovative thinking and solutions.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: The reflective nature of the journal helps children process and overcome challenges by putting their experiences into perspective.
Real-World Application: Building resilience allows children to face setbacks with a positive attitude and persistence, crucial for personal growth and success.
Example Lesson: Goal-setting
Explanation: The journal includes sections for setting personal goals and tracking progress, teaching the importance of setting and achieving objectives.
Real-World Application: This lesson equips children with the skills to set realistic goals in school or personal life, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-motivation.