Featured on Today, FOX, CNN, and other major media, Ruby Roth is a Los Angeles-based artist, author-illustrator, activist, and former teacher whose groundbreaking children's books have received international attention and have been translated into multiple languages.
Her newest and fifth picture book, Bad Day, is her first on issues of emotions and neuro-diversity.
Bad Day is especially timely due to growing concern for mental health and rising incidences of hypersensitivity and even violence in schools. Parents, childcare providers, and communities as a whole have a crucial responsibility to address strong emotions early in children’s lives. Bad Day encourages kids to take responsibility for their own wellbeing, and even further, to find strength and happiness in the process.
I was able to review the book, and it's a good way to introduce kids into ways to cope with bad days in positive ways. It can be simply read, or used to open up a conversation about how we deal with struggles.
I had a chance to interview Ruby to learn more.
• Why did you decide to write this book?The physical and emotional challenges I had in childhood ended up being great teachers. Great transformation can come from problems and obstacles. And now, we live in an era in need of course-correction and repair. My motto in my children’s book work is, “Love deeply, think critically, act responsibly” and each book is about different ways we can make the world a more sound, healthy, peaceful place for everyone. Bad Day addresses the mind, it’s about starting with ourselves—the way we think and behave, regardless of what goes on in the outside world. And having that strength to self-monitor and self-regulate benefits the planet at large—from your family relationships to your school community, work life, and your care for the environment and even local and global policies.
• How can books be instrumental in helping kids manage and respond to their emotions and frustrations?
A book can be a child’s best friend! Several books I had as a kid were monumental and had a lifelong impact on me, I can still remember their illustrations and the senses I had while reading. Bad Day is a grittier feelings book than any other I’ve seen and I think that makes it more relatable and impactful to kids. They pay attention when something speaks to them. Hennie’s meltdown goes on for a long while, showing what a meltdown really looks and feels like. I wanted kids to see themselves reflected, that it’s normal to have overwhelming feelings—and ultimately know that they are responsible for their inner world and behavior.
• How can adults talk to kids about how they manage bad days?I’ve always found it best to ask questions that guide them to find their own answers: What’s going on in your life today? Do you remember when you started to feel angry/sad/irritated? What do you think would help? Is there anything you think we should do now to feel better? Help them begin to self-reflect and problem-solve instead of doing all the work for them. Help them get to an idea—do they need a warm bath or a hug to feel consoled? Would writing an apology note to someone make them feel like they did the right thing? Help with ideation. But also leave space if they don’t have answers or don’t want to talk. Sometimes we all just need space and quiet before we can act. But just giving kids things to think about creates an atmosphere of self-responsibility and critical thinking.
I had a chance to interview Ruby to learn more.
• Why did you decide to write this book?The physical and emotional challenges I had in childhood ended up being great teachers. Great transformation can come from problems and obstacles. And now, we live in an era in need of course-correction and repair. My motto in my children’s book work is, “Love deeply, think critically, act responsibly” and each book is about different ways we can make the world a more sound, healthy, peaceful place for everyone. Bad Day addresses the mind, it’s about starting with ourselves—the way we think and behave, regardless of what goes on in the outside world. And having that strength to self-monitor and self-regulate benefits the planet at large—from your family relationships to your school community, work life, and your care for the environment and even local and global policies.
• How can books be instrumental in helping kids manage and respond to their emotions and frustrations?
A book can be a child’s best friend! Several books I had as a kid were monumental and had a lifelong impact on me, I can still remember their illustrations and the senses I had while reading. Bad Day is a grittier feelings book than any other I’ve seen and I think that makes it more relatable and impactful to kids. They pay attention when something speaks to them. Hennie’s meltdown goes on for a long while, showing what a meltdown really looks and feels like. I wanted kids to see themselves reflected, that it’s normal to have overwhelming feelings—and ultimately know that they are responsible for their inner world and behavior.
• How can adults talk to kids about how they manage bad days?I’ve always found it best to ask questions that guide them to find their own answers: What’s going on in your life today? Do you remember when you started to feel angry/sad/irritated? What do you think would help? Is there anything you think we should do now to feel better? Help them begin to self-reflect and problem-solve instead of doing all the work for them. Help them get to an idea—do they need a warm bath or a hug to feel consoled? Would writing an apology note to someone make them feel like they did the right thing? Help with ideation. But also leave space if they don’t have answers or don’t want to talk. Sometimes we all just need space and quiet before we can act. But just giving kids things to think about creates an atmosphere of self-responsibility and critical thinking.
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