Primary and Pre-School Teachers, Early Childhood Workers, Psychologists and Parents: here are solution-focused approaches adapted especially for children. This radical book is based on the notion that practically all problems can be seen as skills that need to be developed. The book is buzzing with ideas, stories and suggestions to inspire adults and invite children to become active participants in skill-building and solution-finding.

Author: Ben Furman. First published by Innovative Resources in Australia 2004. Softcover, 165 x 245mm, 144pp.

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Teachers and Parents will find plenty to talk with primary-aged children about–on the topic of grumpiness–after they have read this book together. You see, Captain Grumpy didn’t want to be a pirate, he wanted to be an artist. But a pirate he became–and he was good at it because he was good at being grumpy. But grumpiness soon became the boss of Captain Grumpy. Use this book to explore what happens when grumpiness pushes us around, and how we can keep our most important inner treasures safe.

Author: Russell Deal, Published by Innovative Resources 2003. Softcover, 32 pages.

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Psychologists, Social Workers and Parents dealing with sibling jealousy will find this brightly illustrated book a great way to foster conversations with older children about newcomers to the family.

Published by Innovative Resources 2008. Author: Rebecca Sng softcover, 32 pages.

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Reflexions is a set of cards that use contemporary street and techno style photo collage and graphics to deepen conversations on the issues that concern young people. A single word accompanied by graphics guide participants to identify and name reactions to their circumstances. Especially important for boys struggling to express their emotions.

Published by Innovative Resources 2001, Booklet author: Russell Deal, Designer & photographer: Tim Lane, 32 laminated, full-colour cards, 210 x 148mm, polypropylene box, 24-page booklet.

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This engaging resource is ideal for: identifying and developing positive social skills; naming the characteristics of real friendship; building positive communication and celebrating individuality and difference. This is a truly unique antidote to bullying and associated problems that will enhance children’s learning around how to be a great friend and more empathetic person. Also available as stickers or as a colouring book.

Booklet author: Russell Deal, Illustrator and designer: Mat Jones. Published by Innovative Resources 2006, 32 laminated, full-colour cards, 120 x 120mm, polypropylene box folds back to create a stand, 24-page booklet.

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A great bunch of 50 cartoon koala characters for talking about feelings. Each circle-shaped card brings us up close and personal with a very expressive koala face. Which koala are you today? The mad, glad or just plain sad one? The shy or frightened one? There are no words, so Koalas are fantastic for young children and people with literacy challenges.

Booklet author: Russell Deal, Illustrator and designer: Mat Jones. Published by Innovative Resources, 2005, 50 cards in full-colour tin.

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Meet 52 quirky, engaging, happy, sad, afraid, shy, joyful and just plain outrageous “stone” characters – characters who wear their feelings all over their not-so-stony faces. On the back of each card are three possible words to help build a vocabulary for describing the emotion expressed. Sometimes people interpret feelings very differently. For example, is the stone “purposeful” or “bossy” or…? You decide!

Published by Innovative Resources, 2003, 52 full-colour cards laminated, full-colour cards, 150 x 100mm, 2-part cardboard box, 44 page booklet. Booklet author: Russell Deal, Illustrator: Ray Bowler.

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Its never too soon to begin nurturing life skills and building self-esteem. These engaging, easy-to-use skill-building cards are aimed at 3 to 7-year-olds. The bright, quirky cartoons will inspire great conversations and an I can attitude in little people. Minimal text builds literacy without excluding pre-literate children. Adults will love these quirky dinosaur characters too!

28 full-colour laminated cards, 210 x 148mm, full-colour polypropylene box, 8-page folded booklet with suggested uses.

Illustrated by Kate Northover.

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Our new Bear cards have even more charm, express a greater range of emotions and lookeven more human! Perfect for social workers, psychologists, counsellors, teachers and chaplains. The Bears is grounded on the principle that talking about feelings is one of the cornerstones of emotional and mental health. This vibrant, high-quality, card set is a poignant, simple and clever catalyst for identifying and exploring emotions.The absence of text allows the cards to be used with clients of all ages, settings and situations. A novice can immediately imagine possible applications for The Bears. In the hands of an expert, these cards can enable conversations that lead to transformational insights.

Booklet author: Russell Deal, Illustrator: Ben Woods.

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