This is a sponsored post for Stephen Hodges author of The Magic Poof
Finding our True Self
Do you have something about you that stands out that as a child or teenager you tried to keep unnoticed? Do you have a special or unique feature that truthfully you just weren’t sure how others embraced it?
Telling Your Story
I know as a child I was one of the very few in school who had curly hair. In high school I remember friends playing with my big poofy ponytail at soccer practice and almost talking to it as though it was another person. At the time I thought they were making fun of my hair but now that I’m looking back at it I think actually they really hadn’t been around someone with really curly long hair that they felt comfortable enough to touch and play with it before. It’s amazing how time can give you a clearer image of the reality of things
A few friends over those years got perms, yes they were in style then, so I know it was probably something they had desired too, curly hair. Of course since then I’ve always looked at my hair as being different and not something I was terribly proud of as I’ll be honest it’s not the easiest to take care of. After teaching for a few years I also discovered students who’d never been around hair like mine and they’d always want to touch it on the playground. My freckles are another thing too, but we won’t go there.
Embracing your Uniqueness with Your Children
After brushing my curly hair day by day and now brushing my two girls’ hair day by day I can see why as a small child my mom kept it short. It’s a struggle to keep my little 2 year old hair managed and my husband and his typical black smooth “Indian hair” doesn’t quite get why it’s all over the place quite often. I don’t even want to share my experience at the hair salon in India before my wedding there, it’s quite difficult to explain that truthfully there’s not a whole lot you can do to style curly hair. I’ve embraced my hair after decades of trying to deny it, but honestly I wish I would have embraced it all these years.
Finding your Uniqueness in Stories
Recently I stumbled upon a book called The Magic Poofby Stephen Hodges. It immediately caught by eye as I actually had the nickname on my high school soccer team as “Poofer”. Yes my hair did too have a life of its own with my peers. Once I opened the book the main character Ange-Marie always felt a little different with her Magic Poof that actually talks on top of her head. The author shares how her Magic Poof likes to take her on adventures and on one very special day “Picture Day” it wants to “act like others” but also “be it’s true self” It’s a defining day in many of our lives, picture day and if we’ll be ourselves or do what’s trendy. You’ll have to read the story to see what The Magic Poof decides to do in that moment of flash.
Call of Need for More Stories that Reflect Diversity and Value Our Uniqueness.
For 10 years I taught in very diverse schools with curriculum books that truthfully did not reflect the population I was teaching or our population in the US as a whole. Now raising two daughters who are from an Indian background too I find it very difficult to find books with characters that look like they do. I’m so glad that the author, Stephen Hodges decided to share his vision of a story with a special little girl whose hair represents so many children’s hair with their own special curl. And I can’t wait to see how he develops this series. I hope to follow Ange-Marie as she journeys on many adventures with the Magic Poof who looks like to be quite a character of his own too! This storyline opens many opportunities to learn about moral development and character building.
Printable Game for The Magic Poof
One simple way to start is with Emotions and learning to identify our own! Create your own game using this printable at home. {Click here to Print now} Just print two copies to make a Memory Game of The Magic Poof. Can you guess what The Magic Poof is feeling in each image? Label it with the Printable Word cards too! Plus we’ve made blank copies so you can create your own images to make an original game with your child. All printables are FREE. A big thanks to T. Kyle Gentry for the adorable images throughout the book!
Get Your Own Copy of The Magic Poof
Check out The Magic Poof at www.themagicpoof.com
How do you encourage your child to embrace their own uniqueness?
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. We were given a copy of The Magic Poof to review. The opinions expressed on here are my own. This post contains affiliate links to amazon.
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Thank you so much for supporting the Multicultural Children's Book Day and for sharing great books for kids with diversity themes! We feel so lucky to have you as a part of this celebration! Thank you again!!!
This is the best review of this book I have seen so far. Thanks for sharing!
A big Congratulations to our Winners! Thank you so much for entering. You can still get a Signed Copy of The Magic Poof by emailing Stephen! Trust me I have a feeling you're going to want an original copy with a signature before bigger things happen with this series!
My nieces would love this book!
It looks like a great book. I think my daughter would love it. 🙂
My niece!
I would love this book for my son! 🙂
I'd like this book for my curly-haired 4-year-old!
I have seen this book featured on a few blogs now and I am interested to read it at our house. Would love to win a copy! 🙂 I like the printables you created to go along with it!
I would get it for my daughter who is starting preschool.
Thank you for the giveaway.
(Tanya Rubezhov)
We love this book and I love the activities you shared to go with it. Love seeing this book on your blog.