Butterflies in Me by Denisha Seals

You may already know that mental health is something that I speak about constantly in my blog. It plays such an important role in my life. And I believe that it’s a topic that should have awareness. Whenever I find anything on the topic that I find useful I immediately want to share it with you. That’s why I am sharing with you about Butterflies in Me by Denisha Seals.

Powerful, inspiring stories of perseverance and hope for children who feel alienated, out of place or overwhelmed.

Each of the four stories in this collection centers around an emotionally vulnerable child.

There is 7-year-old Kenya, who struggles with anxiety. Permanently scarred from an accident, the stares and sneers she endures shatter her self-worth.
There is Lulu, who falls into depression following the death of her beloved Grandma. Will she ever be happy again?
Abbas is a new arrival to America. Adjusting to school proves difficult because he can’t concentrate or sit still. He wonders if he’s just a “bad” boy.
And then there is Javier, the captain of the soccer team. At school, he’s a star. At home, he’s a punching bag.

With guidance, support, and love from caring adults, each child finds their voice and turns their troubles into triumphs. Through their journeys, they realize three simple truths:

They are special. They are strong. They did nothing wrong.

Written for children in grades K-8, Butterflies in Me is from the pen of Denisha Seals. An up-and-coming artist and filmmaker, Denisha is an abuse survivor whose stories honor and celebrate the resiliency of Black and Indigenous children and children of color.

Accompanying the book, Learning to Love Your Butterfly: A Workbook Building Self-Esteem and Resilience, is a workbook designed to help children in grades 4 through 8 learn more about themselves through the process of self-reflection and goal-setting, all with the intention of boosting self-esteem. In addition to the workbook, Seals offers Tools for Children to Embrace Their Mental Health, a guide with tools for practitioners who work with children, providing crucial information on diagnostic criteria according to the DSM-V (a manual for assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders). Both books in tandem with Butterflies In Me work to uplift the voices of children, who are rarely empowered to speak up on their own behalf, no matter their background.