Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: AWARENESS TOUR: Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew by Dr. Drew Palacio, Illustrated by Apolline Etienne

Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew

The Curious Case of the Two Emily Soos

Dr. Drew Palacio

Illustrated by

Apolline Etienne

Ages 4+ | 36 Pages

9781958754368

Brandylane Publishers, Inc

About the book...

With a sigh, she went pacing before a large mirror that stood,

Remarking: “Ugh! I’m hideous! None of this looks very good!”

After struggling to find the perfect outfit, Emily Soo dances the night away at a fun party. But when she gets home, her inner voice Emily Two tries to put a damper on her evening.

Confronting our thoughts, fully facing tough emotions, and affirming ourselves can be difficult.

Can Emily Soo find it within herself to squash her Worry and Woe?

Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes and Noble

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Emily Soo has a problem...but it's about to be multiplied by TWO.

What starts as a simple "what do I wear" uncertainty, blossoms into a potential confrontation with self doubt she wasn't prepared to deal with...or was she?

This is a great way to help kiddos remember that while that little voice inside of us is important, it doesn't rule us or make us who we are. Everyone has insecurities, moments where they doubt themselves, and their decisions. Everyone makes a choice they wish they did differently at times. The thing to remember is that each day is a new beginning, another chance to get things right. Will we be instantly bigger, better, stronger, smarter, or any of the other "er" options? No...it comes with time, diligence, and understanding, but we can make better choices than the day before. We can learn from our mistakes, and grow as a person one step at a time, one day at a time. Emily Soo had a little help pulling herself back together thanks to some sage words from Worry and Woe, but it was up to her to put the clues together and let Emily TWO know who's boss.

The illustrations on this one are a little darker, but very fitting for the story. It's tough finding your true voice in life, whatever age your "two" strikes you, and I can't say it's a one and done event either, but the color palette used here, along with the slightly sinister flair, and great shadows, really brought the whole idea into the visual spectrum. Readers of all ages will get Emily's struggle, whether from the ease in understanding thanks to the images or from self identification, while appreciating the uplifting sentiments by story's end, and perhaps even sharing their own methods of rising above those downer voices in their own lives.

A great pick for parents with kiddos hitting those milestones in life, as well as for a classroom read to help kids through those tough moments when they are trying to find their own voice in a crowd.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Drew Palacio grew up in Mendocino County, California. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco and currently practices in Kansas. Clinically, he implores partnership and efforts from local families, schools, and the community. Lastly, Dr. Drew is himself a child a heart, using his love of magic and worldly mystery, whether via comic books, animation, video games, or through the passing daydream, to always stoke his inspiration.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enter for the chance to win a personalized hardcover copy of Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew: The Curious Case of the Two Emily Soos and Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound: The Quiet Wants of Julien J.

Twelve (12) winners receive:

-A personalized, signed copy of Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew: The Curious Case of the Two Emily Soos

-A personalized, signed copy of Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound: The Quiet Wants of Julien J.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Dr. Drew Palacio. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, October 2, 2023

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of The Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

Book Review of The Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew and Little Free Library Drop

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Life Is What It’s Called

Author Interview with Dr. Drew Palacio

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Cover Lover Book Review