Our kids wear their emotions on their sleeves. Heck, we do it too, sometimes.

Grr! They are feeling angry, and in their frustration, they shout out something that they will most likely regret later…

Learning how to prevent our emotions from taking control of us is hard. It is even more important for us as parents to maintain a clear way of thinking because kids learn how to interact with the world by watching and copying us! The way we deal with our emotions become their reactions to emotions.

Are you happy with the social skills you’re modeling for your kids? Would you like some help in modeling controlling emotions with your kids?

Abby Jacobs, an art therapist with two young children of her own, used her own experience as a mother to answer those questions. Her passion for educating kids about manners and self-control is easy to spot in her award-winning children’s book, Celia the Great: Tricks for Being a Happy Kid.

In the story, Celia uses “magic tricks” to teach herself how to handle stressful situations and emotions, as well as follow rules better. Modeling the idea so readers can use the tricks themselves. We recently had a chance to talk with Abby about Celia and her bag of magic. Please welcome Abby Jacobs to the Spotlight!

Kids, Emotions, and a Little Bit of Magic

MCA: Hello Abby, and welcome to the Spotlight! Can you tell us more about your motivation for creating Celia the Great?
Abby: When my daughter was about 3 and a half, I started searching for smart ways I could teach her to navigate through the intense emotions of early childhood. I could tell she was learning a great deal from books but I couldn’t find books that were teaching self-soothing skills in a way that would interest her. So I wrote one! And it actually worked, which was a definite bonus.

MCA: Isn’t it crazy how the ideas we have sometimes actually turn out the way we’d like?! But we know it’s not always that simple, so what was your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?
Abby: My biggest challenge was finding the time to actually sit down and write the story. I had a one year old and a three year old but the story idea kept coming back to me and I knew it had to be written. I am lucky enough to have my mother close by, so I asked her to watch the kids while I went to a coffee shop. Because the idea had been percolating in my head for awhile, I was able to sit down and write the story in one sitting. As a mom, sometimes I just have to grab a few hours and get things accomplished or else they will never happen.

MCA: It definitely is difficult to balance both family life and personal projects! What kind of reaction has there been from those who read Celia the Great? It is what you had hoped for?
Abby: The response has been so great! I love hearing how the book is helping families with all sorts of issues. I had a mom send me a photo of her daughter sleeping in her magical nest (like the main character in the book.) She was cuddled up next to her copy of the book.

I’ve also had parents say it is a great tool for them! They can remind their children of their magical powers when emotions escalate. Kids have loved practicing their magic tricks! They don’t even realize that they are developing important social skills.

MCA: Excellent! What do you consider your most important contribution in bringing Celia the Great to families?
Abby: I love helping families have a more peaceful home life. While raising young children is such a precious time, it is also extremely difficult. Children’s emotions are so intense, and sometimes we as parents get wrapped up in those emotions. This book directs attention away from getting involved in the emotion and focuses on the “magic” or the self-regulation. It also empowers children by giving them a way to soothe themselves.

MCA: Has creating Celia the Great has changed your life in any way? We’d love it if you could share something with our readers.
Abby: This book has definitely helped our family. When my kids get upset, frustrated, etc., I used to say things like, “calm down” and “what’s wrong?” The first phrase is telling a child how to feel, when they aren’t feeling like they want to calm down. The second phrase gets the child into their story of why they are upset, and that can just perpetuate the emotion.

That puts the parent in a position to have to “do something” to help their child feel better.The parent usually comes up with a solution for the child. I now use each emotion as a prompt to remind my children about their own magical powers and it has helped them grow. They have a sense of mastery about their “magic.”

MCA: Looking ahead six months to a year, what’s next for you, Abby?
Abby: I will definitely be writing more books! As my children get older (now 3 and 6), I have more time to think about what I would like to contribute to the world.

I have been writing a novel while the kids are in school and I am enjoying that process!

MCA: Thank you for sharing your ‘magical’ story with us Abby! We look forward to seeing what other work you will create in the future.

Mom’s Choice Awards® Honors

Celia the Great: Tricks for Being a Happy Kid
by Abby Jacobs
Illustrated by Mary Gregg Byrne
Children’s Picture Books
Silver – Developing Social Skills

Contact, Connect, and Network with Abby

The Alumni Spotlight is a periodic feature on the official Mom’s Choice Awards® blog. It is part of our ongoing effort to “shine the spotlight” on you and your award-winning, family-friendly products, services, and media.