Description
Ezra’s Invisible Backpack – Picture Book for Positive Mental Health
“In a world where mental health remains stigmatized and language around emotions is yet to be taught, people of all ages move through life with a heaviness they’re unable to describe. Ezra’s Imaginary Backpack creates language around struggles all of us have but aren’t able to communicate. Ezra’s Imaginary Backpack fills a gaping hole left by the lack of education around emotion identification, mental health and the power of empathy. This book should on the shelf of every home, classroom, and therapist’s office as a necessary resource for people of all ages. ”
-Endorsement by Sydney Gideon, LSW at Symmetry Counseling
To the world, Ezra seems like a typical, happy fourth-grader, yet making friends and joining groups can be overwhelming for him. His teacher introduces the idea that everyone has an “invisible” backpack with bricks that others cannot see. These bricks represent obstacles, emotions, and worries that people carry with them each day. From this, Ezra begins to realize that a smile on the outside doesn’t always reflect what’s happening on the inside.
EZRA’S INVISIBLE BACKPACK is a picture book that shows us how kindness and communication with those around us can go a long way in making our classmates feel understood. The invisible backpack is a concrete tool for children to utilize in their daily lives to better express their emotions. It’s the perfect book to inspire empathy and empower children to identify and understand their emotions.
Plus, go further with discussion questions and tools at the back of the book that encourages positive mental health. A fantastic book for parents, teachers, and counselors alike!
– Publishing Date: May 25th, 2021
– Dimensions: 8 x 10
– ISBN: 978-1-7343195-8-3
– Softcover Bound
– E-Version available
– Publisher: BiblioKid Publishing
– Authors: Dina Rock & Hannah Cohen
– Illustrator: Gaspar D. Sabater
Rachel –
I received an advance copy of Ezra’s Invisible Backpack and thought it was fantastic! I loved the book and cannot wait to use it for social-emotional learning in my classroom. If you have children at home who are learning how to share, you should definitely buy this book!
bibliokid –
That’s wonderful news Rachel! Can’t wait for you to share it with your students. 🙂
Sharon Momenian-Schneider –
I received an advance copy of Ezra’s Invisible Backpack and loved it! As a clinical psychologist working with kids, I think this book would be so useful to parents, teachers, and mental health professionals in helping them develop a language to talk about life’s difficulties. This book encourages kids to understand their emotions and to be in tune to the emotions of other. These empathy skills are invaluable!
bibliokid –
That’s so fantastic to hear Sharon! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Annie Roth –
I received an advance copy of this book and as a professional in the health field, I have found Ezra’s Invisible Backpack to be profoundly impactful with my clients. With mental illness on the rise since Covid, feelings of anxiety and depression have affected all age groups. Ezra’s Invisible Backpack has helped visualize the pain and burden that both children and adults suffer emotionally within. Learning the tools to lighten the bricks in our backpack is an immensely powerful tool in coping with life’s hardships and necessary in order to live a healthier, happier life! WOW, this book has improved my skill as a health coach. I will continue to use it in my daily practice! Thank you, Ezra!
bibliokid –
That’s such AWESOME news Annie! We’re so glad Ezra has been helpful and impactful. ❤
Sydney –
Ezra’s Invisible Backpack is an incredibly important book for children and adults alike! This story will allow people to develop a language around mental health to better communicate their struggles. This fills an important gap in mental health resources. As a mental health therapist I will absolutely be recommending this book to clients, teachers, and colleagues.
bibliokid –
Yes! This is fantastic news Sydney! 🙂
Mary Jo –
I just received my copy of Ezra’s Invisible Backpack and I am beyond impressed and optimistic. Ezra’s Invisible Backpack should be on every shelf and in the hands of adolescents everywhere. As an elementary teacher, I believe it is never too soon to start talking about mental health. I have yet to come across a resource that is age appropriate and relatable for both children and adults alike. So often, children find themselves putting on a smile or “brave face” and are not talking about the things worrying them. With young children and teens in particular, it’s extremely challenging to grasp the concept of something they can’t see or touch, yet they feel it on their heart. Ezra’s invisible backpack makes this concept tangible. This book is truly going to change the way children, teens, and adults view mental health and openly discuss mental health. It is time to remove the stigma and negative connotations about mental health and start talking!
bibliokid –
Yes! We 100% agree Mary Jo – Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Eileen –
I received an advanced copy of Ezra’s Invisible Backpack and thought it was a wonderful story that teaches valuable lessons and brings awareness to issues that children often have difficulty talking about. The story provides children with tools to not only verbalize difficult emotions but also develop empathy to others who may be experiencing similar obstacles. I highly recommend this book to parents, teachers, counselors, and therapists as a valuable teaching tool for young children.
bibliokid –
That’s fantastic to hear Eileen! Thank you 🙂
Marjorie Schneider –
Ezra’s Invisible Backpack is a wonderful story that opens the door to discussions with children that can, sometimes, be difficult to have. As a parent, and former teacher, I always tried to take advantage of teachable moments. This book creates the opportunity for children to recognize and address their own challenges, while understanding that they are not alone. Ezra takes us on a journey that shows us a gentle way to reach out to others and to have others reach out to us. In doing so, it helps everyone feel better about themselves.
The book was a joy to read and is truly a story that will resonate with all ages.
bibliokid –
So wonderful to hear, Marjorie! Thank you 🙂