Clementine Gets Unstuck! Kids Can Club Collection (1) by Christine Corrigan Mendez M.Ed., LPC, NCC, and Jen Monika McCurdy M.Ed., LPC, is a children’s picture book about a little girl named Clementine who gets a bit overwhelmed by all the thoughts that she has going on in her mind at the same time. The illustrations created by Dana Regan are colorful and cheerful while still perfectly encapsulating the myriad thoughts that are continually flying at Clementine as she tries to make sense of them. In particular, the pages that display the jumble of colors are impactful. Providing a physical form makes it easier for parents to see the problem as it is. The characters have expressive features that make you feel for them when they find themselves in stressful situations.

Christine Corrigan Mendez and Jen Monika McCurdy have an exceptional and truly educational book on their hands with Clementine Gets Unstuck! As a society that has become more heavily reliant on medication, it was a breath of fresh air to see a different and much safer option available in a children’s book. Not only is it beneficial for children who are experiencing a jumble of thoughts every day, but it’s also a tool that adults will be able to learn from as well. This approach might snowball into other ideas for healthier lifestyles. This would be an amazing book for schools in general as well as places that offer therapy for young children.

Clementine Gets Unstuck! Kids Can Club™ Collection (1) is written by licensed professional educational counselors Christine Corrigan Mendez M.Ed., LPC, NCC, and Jen Monika McCurdy M.Ed., LPC, and is illustrated by Dana Regan. The reader is about a third grader called Clementine, who has so many ideas zinging around her head at the same time that she finds it hard to concentrate on any one thing. She becomes stuck, not knowing what to say or do next. This is the story of how she learns to focus. She calms herself down by breathing deeply through her tummy so that she can untangle her thoughts and ideas. The book ends with a deep breathing exercise that any child can easily follow in their own home.

Christine Corrigan Mendez and Jen Monika McCurdy’s reader Clementine Gets Unstuck! shows in simple, easy-to-read language, just how effective mastery of simple body-based techniques can be in overcoming problems of the mind, even for a relatively young child. The illustrations are generally clear and cheerful, with the interplay between Clementine and her two dogs, as well as her friends, being especially amusing. The portrayal of the exciting evolution that she undergoes captures the spirit of learning, with Clementine becoming a much happier child as she learns how to quieten herself down so that she can concentrate. This would be a valuable work to have in any primary school resource center.