Customer Reviews

Liking Myself

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As growth becomes individually apparent, the learner finds that the idea of a complex life can be simple from almost infancy.

Pat Palmer, in an originally crafted mid-seventies, 80-page, funbook, full of ideas, exercises, warm thoughts, and love, makes ostensible the solution to man's many problems. To like [love] oneself is an elixir.

Divided into six parts, Palmer begins with "Liking Myself." The reader, whether young or old, discovers the priceless value of being himself and enjoying himself by himself - liking myself. In parts two and three, "Feelings" and "Feelings Talk," the author expresses a more specific reality than Rennaissance man Rene Descarte's, "I think; therefore, I am." Rather, LIKING MYSELF illumines, "I feel; therefore, I am!" Feeling allows the reader through inner language to explore the beautiful realism of what exists.

"Allowing," part four, manifests the ideas of individuality, uniqueness, indecision, confusion, pretense, and human error, all in childlike manner, but with the sameness as these apply to every life and to every being.

"Body Talk," in part five, captures the body as a divine vessel that speaks to us -- and we should listen.

Finally, observer consciousness concludes the book with the last chapter entitled, "Letting Go." This idea of detachment from problems, dramas, uncontrollable situations, negative emotions and thoughts, places the reader in his most important posture -- self, and liking that self.

In sum, the crucible -- this trial we often refer to as life, is actually quite radiant when we begin to like [love] ourselves. Palmer epitomizes life's essence in a children's book -- a must for adults.

Terrence Maurice Cummings

This is a great little book to read with kids. I'm a child psychologist and have found this book very helpful when I have worked with 5-9 year-olds. I am looking forward to reading it with my own daughter, who just turned 4.

this book made me feel a million times better about myself after i read it. i recommend it to everyone and especially young children who have low self-esteems. it helps you get rid of so much negativity and appreciate the little things in life!

I am a counselor who works with children. Liking Myself is the book I find myself using most often with elementary school children. Liking Myself helps children find out the good things about themselves, learn how to deal with feelings, and learn how to have better relationships with others. There are little practice activities in the book that help kids apply what they are reading.

This is an excellent book that I think all children can benefit from, but especially kids with low self-esteem. I think this book will be a staple in my work with children for years to come.

My daughter gravitated to this book on her own - and her opening statement was "I feel sad when my dad lies to me." It is an incredible book to get the 5-9 year old set talking about how he or she feels. I highly recommend it! A more detailed review of my experience appears at:

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- S

Over thirty years ago, Pat Palmer and Louise Hart met at their first graduate school class in Greeley, Colorado. Pat was the founder and director of the Assertiveness Training Institute of Denver, and when she spoke she surprised some of the men and the "nice girls" in the class, including Louise, to whom she offered a scholarship to her assertiveness class. Pat's dissertation on teaching assertiveness from an early age was published as two children's books: Liking Myself and The Mouse, the Monster and Me. They became international bestsellers in six languages, selling over a half a million copies around the globe, but they went out of print in 2000.

Now, ten years later, these two longtime favorites, which teach social-emotional skills, are being revised and released with help from Pat's longtime friend Louise Hart, Ed.D. Liking Myself, written for children between the ages of five and ten and charmingly illustrated by Betty L. Shondeck, discusses the importance of liking yourself, having feelings, talking about your feelings, allowing yourself to be different, understanding body talk, and letting go. It offers advice on how to handle yourself when you feel depressed, upset, or overwhelmed. There are several ideas, including games, to improve assertiveness and build emotional literacy. The official republication date is January 2010.

I have been using Liking Myself as a referal for parents for 20 years. It is one of the best self-help/parenting books that is designed for children I have seen in all my years as a parent and practitioner of conflict resolution.

Liking Myself is the beginning of dignity and I am so pleased that this book is being republished to help more and more parents and teachers support more and more childrens finding, and knowing how to restore their dignity.

Michelle Brenner Conflict Resolution Consultant, for families, community, government and workplace. 2009

I appreciate that this book covers numerous topics about how to improve mind-body connection--including how to listen to what your body is saying to you. One cute drawing that artist Betty Shondeck created for the Body Talk section shows a child sitting in a chair with little thought clouds coming from various parts of her body that read: "I am tight! I am clenched! I am relaxed!..." This illustration serves as a great reminder to tune in to the state of our bodies--before the messages get louder or become painful.

I highly recommend this book.

Liking Myself by Pat Palmer, illustrated by Betty L. Shandeck is an excellent book for ages 8 and up with clever little illustrations and hand lettering that help the child identify with the pages. The important message in the book is for every person of every age and would prevent a lot of psychological disorders and depression in teen and adult life: It is OK and healthy to LIKE YOURSELF. There are many little habits and suggestions of self-talk that are wisely given in ways children will enjoy, and exercises to do as a family group to reinforce each person's self image and self approval. I highly recommend this book as a MUST, not only for your child but also for yourself as a person and parent and for every teen.

Dr. Pat Palmer presents a self-help book for children and young adults that serves as excellent tools for teachers, therapists, and parents. "Liking Myself" is an encouraging book for young people ages 5 to 11, offering advice on how to handle oneself when feeling depressed, upset, or overwhelmed. Blank spaces amid the hand-lettered pages and black-and-white, sketch-style illustrations encourage young people to write or draw their reactions to particular scenarios. The result is a valuable resource for building self-esteem and emotional stability. Highly recommended.