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Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
Lila the Ladybug Learns Self-Care by Susan L. Fink is a charming children’s book that creates an easy way for parents to engage in conversations with their children about self-care. Lila loves to help others in whatever way she can, whether it’s helping a friend feel better or sharing her lunch with someone who doesn’t have any. But she is so busy doing homework, helping others, and doing chores that she doesn’t have time to play. She does so much that she even forgets to take care of herself until she gets sick. Seeing the problem, Grandma Bug steps into action to help. First, they pray together and then Grandma teaches her about the importance of self-care. The book also features delightful activity pages after the story that add to the message.
Susan L. Fink highlights that what Lila does are good things but there is a limit that children and adults aren’t always aware of. The illustrations by Holly Backus show Lila pale and with fewer shiny spots in appearance to visually represent the impact overdoing it has on her. The steps taken in the story are spiritually-based such as praying together and praying over Lila. However, the central message of self-care is a universal concept. The spiritual undertone provides the story with a richness that feels inspiring. Lila learns that she needs to eat healthily, take time to rest, and how to moderate her activities, such as chores and helping others. Through illustrations, young readers will see that she does too much and looks increasingly unhappy until she is run down and sick. The activities help to reinforce the message and add to the conversation with a bookmark, a 'can you spot them all' activity (in which children can go back and look for hidden objects), and a coloring page. Lila the Ladybug Learns Self-Care is a lovely conversation starter to broach the topic of self-care with children and how to strive for balance even at a young age.
