Reviews for Reg Goes Swimming

I am very grateful for the following people’s involvement in writing reviews for my first book, Reg Goes Swimming.  This is a public “thank you” to them and acknowledgment of the time they took to read my initial draft, prior to publication, along with acknowledgement of the time they gave to write a review for my back cover.  Due to limited space, Dr. Sean Wiebe’s review was cut from my back cover.  I want to post his review first, in acknowledgement of his time spent writing this review, doing so just after a very challenging time for him with the U.P.E.I. strike.  Thank you, Sean!

Dr. Sean Wiebe and I have a prior academic connection with the publication of our first book, Inside the Classroom: Stories of Curriculum and Creativity.  This book was co-edited together, along with the help of Kristopher Barnes.  I am grateful for our professional connection and for the opportunity Sean gave me to put my words into print.  Here is Sean’s review of my first children’s book, Reg Goes Swimming.

Reg Goes Swimming is a beautiful story that presents us with the emotional world of children and adults alike. Just like Reg, I am reminded of how important it is to check my thoughts of what could go wrong, against thoughts of what could go right? Reg Goes Swimming is one of those rare books that presents wise living in a story that we can all relate to. — Dr. Sean Wiebe, professor at the University of Prince Edward Island

Along with Sean’s kind words, I also was able to obtain the following review from a dear friend and colleague, Jill Stewart-Fenech.  Jill is the founder of the virtual counselling practice Your Life Design, Inc.  She is a licensed social worker and business woman.  I admire her deeply.  Jill and I both work as colleagues within YLD’s virtual practice, for which I am most grateful.  Here is Jill’s endorsement for my book:

Lori takes her readers on a journey of self-awareness and conscious self-regulation of feelings and thoughts through her simple and easy to understand children’s illustrated book.— Jill Stewart, BSW, MSW, RSW, Founder, Your Life Design Inc.Online Therapy and Training, Canada

Last, but certainly not least, I was beyond delighted to have Dina Bednar write a blurb for the back cover of my Reg book.  She is a therapy supervisor extraordinaire and an AMAZING Solution Focused Brief Therapist and workshop facilitator, just an incredible professional— who wrote the following words, which mean so very much to me:

“What a priceless gem! This book, beautifully illustrated by Emma Martin, is a well-researched and resourced guide that provides children valuable tools in naming, understanding, and regulating their emotions.”—Dina Bednar, MA, RP, RMFT-SM, CSFT, Associate Director of the SFBT Certificate Program, University of Toronto & Co-Director of the Canadian SFBT Center

And now, for the many, many readers who have taken the time to also write reviews, I give you thanks!  I have been touched beyond words to hear that Reg Goes Swimming has been read to children of all ages, either as a read aloud, a night time story, as well as read as a day time adventure, spur-of-the-moment shared experience.  This past week was my first time reading the book, in full, at two local libraries.  So delighting to see the children’s expressions and comments.  Here are what some parents and a grandparent are saying about the book:

My soul what a beautiful book, what a lovely message.  I loved reading it to A.  We had a conversation about her current worries.  We talked about how she can do some of the things that Reg did to help her when she feels worried.  I would also 100% read this to a classroom full of kids. —Parent

E. enjoyed your book at bedtime tonight.  I read it to her first then she read it again to herself before I tucked her in.— Parent

Lori’s book, Reg Goes Swimming, offers enjoyment as a sweet children’s book, yet it offers teachables for the young reader…such as breath work, positive inner voices and reframing a situation.  Last eve…(I) read this book 3X.  It is thoughtfully and intentionally written with clever undertones of self awareness that transcends age and time.  Get your book, NOW!  Inbox Lori.  Worth the read.  Congratulations to you, Lori, and I look forward to reading your next literary offering.—Grandparent

I am grateful, as well, to you, dear reader.  If you have read this book and found it helpful, I invite you to write your own review.  Thank you so much.  I get by with a little help…from my friends.