Peaceful Thoughts: An Interactive Journal in Positive Thinking for Children and Their Parents
Written and Illustrated by Robin K. Thumann, M.Ed., M.S.W.
Peaceful Thoughts Press, 2003
$19.95
Reviewed by Martha Nord

This is a book to DO with a child over a period of time. It is good tool for parents or other significant adults and children to use together to talk about big concepts and values, 18 in all. The author intended it to be used with children ages 4 to 10, but I think some older children would enjoy it as well when done with a caring adult. Each 2-page spread has a little poem about a particular concept, an illustration to go with it, and excellent discussion suggestions for the adult and child to talk about together. While the poems are not great children’s literature (I find them sing-song-y and simplistic), this book is an excellent way for adults to bring up and discuss these important values/concepts. There are many excellent stories available in children’s literature to illustrate each concept. It would be well worth the adult’s time to find a good children’s picture book to go along with each value in this book. When I did the pages about “Our Earth” with a 10-year-old, I read the book Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney. The book Elmer by David McKee would be one of many excellent stories to read with the pages on humor. A little time spent at the library would result in many excellent books to read along with this one. “Doing” one page a day – reading the poem, talking about the picture, reading an additional story that illustrates the value, and doing the discussion questions would be a meaningful way for adult and child to spend time together and help a child grow in wisdom, peace, and happiness.

I recommend this book if the adult is willing to make the commitment to doing the pages thoughtfully over time with a child. The values/ideas presented are: togetherness, family, people, friendship, caring, forgiveness, thankfulness, courage, bravery, determination, peace, freedom, knowledge, change, caring for our earth, humor, planning, and preparing for rest. It is a good resource for caring adults to have available to use with the children in their lives.