Membership

Our Mission

Who We Are

Global Regions

Impact and Legacy Fund

Partners

Annual Report

Gift Cards

About

Awards and Grants

Illustrator Gallery

Member Bookstore

SCBWI at Bookshop.org

Translation in SCBWI

Submissions & Showcases

Annual Events

Regional In-Person Events

Regional Virtual Events

Events

The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children

Newsletters

Podcasts

The Official SCBWI Blog

Self-Publishing Resources

Publications

Careers

Contact Us

FAQ & Policies

Donate

Discussion Board

Privacy Policy

Cookie Notice

Terms of Service

Connect & Support

Press

Resources to Combat Book Bans

SCBWI Book Club

SCBWI BookStop

Submit a Proposal

Virtual Winter Conference 2025

Annual Conferences

SCBWI at Bologna

Essential Guide to Publishing for Children

The Bulletin

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Social links

SCBWI-U Video Graphics.png

REGISTER FOR SCBWI UNIVERSITY

Member_Benefit_Series-thumbnail_webp-708xa.webp

SCBWI Member Videos: How to Apply for Awards and Grants

2024

California: San Francisco/South

Ellie's mom did not come for their visit, and Ellie is stuck in a cloud of sadness and anger as she tries to understand why. Fortunately, Miss K. and Ellie's Uncle Finny are there to help her. Using the metaphor of a wave, they help Ellie talk about and understand her mother's ups and downs, recognize and hold on to loving memories, and know that she is not alone.Millions of young children live in families with an adult who is struggling due to trauma (ACEs), mental illness (PTSD, depression, bipolar), substance abuse, or other addiction. Mama's Waves was written for any child who has a family member who struggles with emotional waves whether they live together or not.The story was developed to open doors to conversations that young children need to have. When family members have challenges, young children worry about them and often have many difficult questions. They need the help of grown-ups within and outside their familiesTo have language for the challenges that their parents faceTo know that they can talk about tough times and good timesTo better understand why their parent may not be aroundAnd, very importantly, to keep good memories alive because these memories shape their view of themselves as worthy of loveMama's Waves shows us that these conversations are possible, important, and support healing and connection.While the book was written specifically for children whose parents have struggled with addiction or mental illness, other children may benefit from having language and dialogue that helps them to empathically understand the challenges that too many families are facing.Mama's Waves is the first book in the Ellie Bean series and was developed by the team that created Once I Was Very Very Scared, You Weren't With Me, Holdin Pott, and the Trinka and Sam story series as tools to help families heal after stressful or traumatic events.

Mama's Waves

A worn pressure cooker and a sweet little pot learn new ways of dealing with difficult feelings.Meet the Potts. Holdin Pott grew up learning to keep in feelings of sadness and anger. He is one tough pressure cooker. Little Pott is watching and wants to be just like him, but when you’re little and the heat is on really high, it’s hard to keep the lid on and hold tough stories and feelings inside. What will Little Pott do? How will Holdin Pott help him?From the team that created Once I Was Very Very Scared and You Weren’t With Me, comes a new story to help children and grown-ups start difficult conversations and snuggle in closer together.

Holdin Pott

Little Rabbit and Big Rabbit are together after a difficult separation, but even though they missed each other, Little Rabbit is not ready to cuddle up and receive Big Rabbit’s love. Little Rabbit needs Big Rabbit to understand what it felt like when they were apart. “Sometimes I am very mad. I don’t understand why you weren’t with me,” says Little Rabbit, “I worry you will go away again.” Big Rabbit listens carefully and helps Little Rabbit to feel understood and loved. This story was designed to help parents and children talk about difficult separations to help them reconnect and find their way back to each other.The book may be helpful to families who have experienced:Divorce or caregiver separationCaregiver work-related separationsMilitary service related separationsImmigration related separationsChild welfare related separationsParental incarcerationParental substance use related separationsThe book is available in Spanish under the title "Cuando no Estabas Conmigo." This is the 2nd book by this author illustrator team. The first book "Once I Was Very Very Scared," was designed to help grown-ups understand and talk to children about stressful events they may have experienced.

You Weren't With Me

A little squirrel announces that he was once very, very, scared and finds out that he is not alone. Lots of little animals went through scary experiences, but they react in different ways. Turtle hides and gets a tummy ache, monkey clings, dog barks, and elephant doesn’t like to talk about it. They need help, and they get help from grown-ups who help them feel safe and learn ways to cope with difficult feelings. This story was written to help children and grown-ups understand how stress can affect children and ways to help them.

Once I Was Very Very Scared

Explore SCBWI