My Heart by Corinna Luyken {Mental Wellness}

My Heart by Corinna Luyken had me at hello first page.  As I read, "My heart is a window" my whole body relaxed and I gave a sigh.  A window lets you look out and lets you look in.  Have you ever had those moments in life when your emotions slide?  Corinna Luyken shows us it's our heart guiding that ride on the slide in the next page.  The entire book is describes how our heart guides the different emotions we have.  She shares the positive and uplifting and ones where we hurt; needing time to recover.  

"Some days it's a puddle.

Some days it's a stain."

She encourages readers over three two page spreads that our hearts can grow and grow and grow.  She makes us accept some days there are barriers blocking us from others and some days our heart is broken.  Then she offers the reader hope because broken can be mended.  She reminds us our heart is a guide and empowers us because we get to decide the direction our heart goes.

Emotions make our lives tricky and unfortunately there are times where emotions are perceived as bad.  Emotions are not bad.  Emotions are good, they help us feel, connect, and process.  When we struggle with emotions we need to learn to ride the wave.  Feel the emotion and by acknowledging the emotion our heart can be more restful; making us more mindful.

The illustrations are done in gray monotones and bursts of yellow to represent the heart on each page.    I hope readers notice how the heart is used within each illustration.  A small detail enhancing this story.

I've ordered three copies of this book for my three daughters; high school and college age.  One will get it this Valentine's day and the other two when there is a need.  Books can offer guidance and healing.

"Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act." (mental health.gov) I hope you find this post helpful in supporting mental wellness. "Wellness is an approach to preventing illness and prolonging life as opposed to emphasizing treating diseases." (dictionary.com)  Let's be proactive in and out of our classrooms.