Book Nook: Books from Boys Town about Stress and Compromise

I've enjoyed the opportunity to review books from Boys Town Press before, and I had a chance to do so again with some of their new and soon-to-be published books. These books help kids work through issues like anxiety, stress, relationships, compromise, and self-monitoring in age-appropriate, non-confrontational ways.


Parker Plum and the Journey through the CATacombs by Billie Pavicic, illustrated by Madeline Timm. Parker Plum is back, leading a fantastical adventure through the Metropolitan Mummy Museum that helps him explore, celebrate his own strengths, and work through feelings of envy toward his new classmate.

Even though this is a book with a returning character, it works just fine as a standalone book. It's a great way for kids to see their jealousy of others in a new light - and the fact that we all have our own unique differences to celebrate.

Freddie & Friends: Becoming Unstuck by Kimberly Delude, illustrated by Brian Martin. In the next installment in this popular series, readers meet Betsy, a beetle who is so pestered by her worry bug that she sometimes gets stuck! With the help of her friends and a new system, she’s able to move forward and find her confidence.

This is a great book for those who get stuck by their own anxiety. It can work with kids who have mild anxiety issues, providing parents and kids extra tools for moving forward in spite of fears. Like all Freddie & Friends books, it is completely independent of the others.

The Great Compromise by Julia Cook, illustrated by Kyle Merriman (September 3, 2019). Cora June is back, and she’s just as spunky and ambitious as ever! This time around, she has very specific ideas about how things should go. But her classmate Wilson also has specific ideas that just so happen to be different from hers. With the help of their teacher, both must learn the very important skill of compromise.

This also works as a standalone books (most well-written series for kids can, since younger kids can't always remember a lot from one book to the next). This helps kids explore compromise and what it means, as well as conflict resolution with a peer with the help of an adult.

Stress Stinks by Bryan Smith, illustrated by Lisa M. Griffin (September 17, 2019). Between softball practice, homework, and chores, poor Amelia is feeling stressed out. And stress is hard! Luckily, Amelia’s mom is around to teach Amelia some strategies to reframe her thinking and help her through her stressed-out situation. 

This can be a great visual for kids about how getting stressed out about things can have negative effects. Every kid gets stressed about things, and this helps them learn why it's important to manage it.

How Did You Miss That? by Bryan Smith, illustrated by Lisa M. Griffin (October 8, 2019). The latest installment in the Executive FUNction series follows Braden as he learns the importance of self-monitoring and some good strategies to help him slow down, recognize (and prevent!) mistakes, and stay on track.

This book is very practical for kids, giving them tools and language for self-monitoring. Many kids go too fast and make mistakes, and this encourages them to slow down and take a little more care.

Boys Town Press publishes children’s and educational books for counselors, educators, parents, and youth-serving professionals, all in line with Boys Town’s goal of “Saving Children, Healing Families.” Boys Town Press is a division of Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home. Our publications are based on the proven techniques used in Boys Town programs.



Learn more about Boys Town Press and its titles at www.boystownpress.org.