Steve Barancik’s bibliotherapy– books to teach your kids to behave more effectively

Steve Barancik is a professional screenwriter who has written a series of  “books  with a message” for children. If Steve’s good messages work for your child, your child soon may be:

  • telling fewer lies
  • less picky in what they eat
  • less shy
  • tidier around the house
  • happier to play on their own
  • happier to sleep in their own bed
  • more cooperative when playing  with others
  • less demanding of things they don’t have

All that for just $3 a book!  And his first two books — on playing more cooperatively with others and being a less fussy eater — are downloadable free! (absolutely no catches — see below)

This all sounds a very pleasant and affordable way to try to persuade your kids to behave more effectively! 

Here’s a list of Steve’s downloadable books. Click on the link for the first two books to download those books for free; click on the link for the  other 6 books to read the first 8 0r 9 pages as a preview.

1. Helping your child play more cooperatively with other children

The Time Balooga Forgot Other People’s Feelings (click on link to download book  for free)

Balooga is the story of a child who used to play nicely, until she discovers that bratty, selfish behavior helps her get her way. The result: other children stop wanting play dates with her. Her mom helps her to see that her bad behavior is costing her friends…and happiness.

2. Helping your child be a less picky eater

How Only Baloney Got Cured of Spoiled-Taste-Buds-Atitis (click on link to download book for free)

“Only Baloney” is the story of a picky eater who starts thinking that everything tastes “yucky”…except baloney! When he starts feeling sick and his parents take him to the doctor, he starts to realize his fussy eating is a real problem.

3. Helping your child overcome shyness

How Smoolie Became a Shy-entist  (click on link to read first 9 pages)

Smoolieis the story of a shy girl whose self-consciousness starts causing her isolation and pain. But Smoolie’s mother helps her become a shy-entist – somebody who starts noticing shyness in others! Once Smoolie realizes she’s not the only person with this feeling, her mom helps her find out what other people do to overcome shyness themselves. Equipped with these new tools, Smoolie makes friends with a girl even shier than Smoolie!

4. Helping your child to be more tidy:

How Cocoona Learned to Clean Even Better Than Her Parents! (click on link to read first 9 pages)

Cocoonais the story of a little girl who just can’t be bothered to clean up her room…or anything else. Nothing that Mom or Dad says or does helps in the slightest. That is, until Mom and Dad decide to become slobs too. Cocoona can’t handle the chaos that results! She learns what it’s like to have to live with someone else’s mess.

5. Helping your child not to tell lies:

How Timbo Found Out That Telling the Truth Really Does Work (click on link to read first 9 pages)

“Timbo” is the story of a little boy who starts seeing how fibbing can work to his advantage, but then he starts feeling the sting of his parents’ distrust. When he finally tells the truth on an important matter – despite the fact that it might earn him some punishment – he actually finds himself rewarded!

6. Helping your child enjoy playing on their own

How Boberto Learned to Like Being by Himself Sometimes (click on link to read first 9 pages)

“Boberto” is the story of a little boy who craves his parents’ attention around the clock. They try to enforce “alone time,” but because it’s being forced on him – and because he doesn’t have confidence in his ability to entertain himself – Boberto isn’t able to handle it.

So Boberto’s parents try a different approach: they give Boberto the right to be with them allthe time, even when they’re doing boring, grown-up things. When Boberto finds himself with the choice of balancing a checkbook with Dad or addressing envelopes with Mom…

He finally chooses to be by himself. And he’s proud of himself for making that choice!

7. Helping your child want to sleep in their own bed

How Sonora Got Her Own Room Back (click on link to read first 9 pages)

“Sonora” is the story of a little girl who was comfortable in her own room but starts getting used to sleeping with Mommy and Daddy again. When they try to set limits, Sonora is having none of it!

Sonora’s parents act surprisingly: they give her exactly what she wants. They tell her that their room is her room…and then they proceed to make her room into Daddy’s office.

Sonora isn’t so sure how she feels about this crazy turn of events! I suspect your child will be very eager to see how things turn out.

8. Helping your child to be more satisfied with what they have.

How Bobo Learned to be Satisfied (click on link to read first 8 pages)

Bobo” is the story of a little boy who was always thinking of all the things he didn’t get that other kids did get…

Books that teach kids courage

1. Books that build courage — 12 books for 5 to 7-year-olds, including The Little Engine That Could (of  I think I can- I think i can- I think I can fame) and The Recess Queen (Katie Sue dares to do what no one else has done: she asks Jean to play with her)