Novas's Missing Masterpiece - by Brooke Graham (Hardcover)

About the Book

As Nova and her dog Harley search for the missing birthday artwork Nova made for her dad, she learns valuable lessons from Harley on how to stay cool and calm!

Book Synopsis

Novas Missing Masterpiece uses a girls bond with her dog to address the themes of anger, self-regulation, problem solving, resilience and persistence.

When Nova realizes the artwork that she created for her dads birthday present is missing her tummy flip flops and her heart ker-thumps. She and her dog, Harley turn the house upside down but the missing masterpiece is nowhere to be found. Inevitably, Nova loses her temper. But Harley remains calm. Together, they continue searching for the missing masterpiece and eventually Nova starts to pay attention to Harley and his calming strategies. Just when it seems the artwork will never be found Nova tries one last strategy, which leads her directly to her missing masterpiece!

Learning to self-regulate, persist, problem solve, and be resilient are essential skills that need to be taught and modelled to children to support their social and emotional growth. Novas Missing Masterpiece gives children useful coping strategies to deal with anger and frustration, making the book an invaluable tool for parents, educators, health professionals and counsellors.

With vibrant, well-observed illustrations, this is the perfect story to show children how anger and frustration affect their brains and bodies, and how simple techniques can help them self-regulate and reset.

Review Quotes

"As we get older we are more able to self-calm (we) think more clearly. But for children of Nova's age that is a skill yet to be learnt so this is a great story to help start teaching it. But even without extracting this theme from the story, this is just a good read that will resonate with many. " - Bottom Shelf

"Why I like this book: So. Many. Reasons.
First of all, it's SO relatable. Who among us hasn't put something special
somewhere for safekeeping only to forget where that safe place is? ... And then
there are the brilliant illustrations along with a bonus seek and find
challenge, which I know that kids love!" - The Corner on Character

"a good reminder of self-regulating techniques for kids to use in times of stress" - Books+Publishing

"A must for
every child's bookshelf, Nova's
Missing Masterpiece is a
marvellous guide to managing enormous feelings. The uncomplicated techniques
are effectively mini mental reset buttons that kids can tuck away in their mind
until needed." - Buzzwords

"Nova's Missing
Masterpiece is an excellent
story for three to seven year olds looking for a relatable, rollicking story
and for their caregivers who are interested in exploring ways to help manage
big emotions." - Story
Links

"Nova's
Missing Masterpiece is a
timely work, in a tumultuous world, teaching all of us how to work through our
feelings in times of stress." - Reading Time

"Sometimes life, your house, and your head get messy but with the calming strategies in this book, everything will turn out in the end. Take-home lessons woven into this lovely narrative include self-regulation and resilience."- Little Darlings

"The bold colours used on the front cover of Nova's Missing Masterpiece suggest an exciting and vigorous story to be told." - Blue Wolf Reviews

"This one shines bright. Highly recommend! I love the way @ekbooksforkids publish these important stories about subjects that matter. Can't wait to see what's next!" - Picture Book Book Club