Catching Thoughts - by Bonnie Clark (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

This bright tale of a girl determined to escape a negative thought that keeps following her around encourages mindfulness and equips kids with the tools they need to successfully manage their emotions.

Have you ever had an unwelcome thought that you just couldn't get rid of, no matter how hard you tried to push it away?

In Catching Thoughts, a girl is plagued by an unwanted thought. No matter what she does--ignore it, yell at it, cry about it--the thought won't go away. Frustrated and discouraged, she finally looks that bad thought in the face and says, "Hello." At last, she is able to notice other more beautiful, positive thoughts all around her. As she catches hold of new thoughts, the girl discovers she can fill her mind with whatever she chooses.

For every child who has been weighed down by sadness or anxiety, this story teaches kids how to acknowledge unwanted thoughts, show them compassion, then actively replace them with positive thoughts instead. Catching Thoughts is a quiet, thoughtful story that teaches readers how to practice mindfulness, focusing on thoughts that bring beauty, joy, and calm into their lives.

Review Quotes

"An excellent choice for sharing with children who struggle with anxiety and even just low-grade worry." --School Library Journal

"Catching Thoughtsis absolutely the book we need right now --simple yet impactful! You can't help but go searching for more true, joyful, and calm thoughts after reading this delightful book." --Emily Kilgore, author of The What-Ifs

"Families with little big-thinkers and big-feelers are sure to find this lovely book simultaneously calming and empowering." --Britney Winn lee, author of The Boy with Big, Big Feelings

"One of the loveliest dances between words and pictures I've seen. It hits a deep, true chord within me from dealing with my own anxieties." --Shanda McCloskey, author of DOLL-E 1.0, T-Bone the Drone, and Fire Truck vs. Dragon

"Bonnie Clark gently reminds us that we have the capacity to reframe our encounter with unwanted and difficult thoughts. It is in our nature to welcome our challenges with grace and, more importantly, without shame." --Dr. Jerome Lubbe, author of The Brain-Based Enneagram: You are not A number

"This book's truth needs to get into the hands of every child: Releasing our negative thoughts allows space for things that are good and beautiful. Catching Thoughts offers a fun approach that is simple enough for every child to understand." --Vikki Fraker, Founder of Revival 356

"This book offers a practical and engaging approach to replace negative thoughts with ones that are good. Parents will quickly realize what a huge asset this little book can be in helping children understand the power they have over their own thoughts." --Elizabeth Pehrson, Mom of Eight, Women's Speaker, Founder of The Exchange

"It isn't through force or willpower that a thought is transformed, but rather through a simple 'hello.' Clark has offered us a real gift with this book, and Macon brings it to life with illustrations that are both vivid and inspiring." --William Meyer, author of Big Breath: A Guided Meditation for Kids