Looking for a good book?
Check out some of our favorites here!
Below is a list of some our clinicians’ favorite books. Its a mixture of books for children, teens and parents. They are organized by topic. Browse on your own, or ask your clinician for recommendations.
Behavior Management
- The Whole Brain Child, by Siegel and Bryson
- No More Meltdowns, by Baker
- The Explosive Child, by Green
- How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Faber and Mazlish
- Siblings Without Rivalry, by Faber and Mazlish
- Your Defiant Child, by Barkley and Benton
- Your Defiant Teen, by Barkley and Benton
- Taking Charge of ADHD, by Barkley
- Parenting with Love and Logic
- 123 Magic, by Thomas Phelan
- Parenting the Strong-Willed Child (ages 2-6), by Forehand and Long
- Off Road Parenting: Practical Solutions for Difficult Behavior (CD-Rom included), by Caesar Pacifici, Patricia Chamberlain, & Lee White
- Parents and Adolescents, part 1: The basics. By Gerald Patterson & Marion Forgatch
- Positive Parenting From A to Z, by Karen Renshaw Joslin
- SOS Help for Emotions: Managing Anxiety, Anger, & Depression, by Lynn Clark
- “The answer is no” Saying It and Sticking to It (Ages 2 – 12), by Cynthia Whitman
- Time-in: When time-out doesn’t work, by Jean Illsley Clark
- The ADHD Book of List, by Sandra Rief
- The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome, by Tony Atwood
Child Abuse / Maltreatment
AFF Book Reviews
Abuse Education
- Your body belongs to you, by Cornelia Spelman
- Please tell! A Child’s Story About sexual abuse, by Jessie (Sandra Hewitt)
- My body is private, by Linda Walvoord Girard
- Sexuality curriculum for abused children and young adolescents and their parents, by Toni Cavanaugh Johnson
- Treatment exercises for child abuse victims and children with sexual behavior problems, by Toni Cavanaugh Johnson
- A very touching book…for little people and for big people, by Jan Hindman
- Activity book for treatment strategies for abused children, by Cheryl L. Karp and Traci L. Butler
- Helping families heal: A story about child physical abuse, by Melissa Runyon, Beth Cooper, & Alissa Glickman
- Finding the right spot: When kids can’t live with their parents (FC), by Janice Levy
- I’d Rather Be With a Real Mom Who Loves Me: A Story for Foster Children (FC) by Michael Gordon
- When Children Abuse: Group treatment strategies for children with impulse control problems, by Carolyn Cunningham and Kee McFarlane
- The Geel Good Book, by Todd Parr
- The family book, by Todd Parr
- The safe zone: A kid’s guide to personal safety, by Donna Chaiet & Francine Russell
- Maybe days: A book for children in foster care (FC), by Jennifer Wilgocki & Kahn Wright
- Mommy’s Black Eye: Children Dealing with Domestic Violence (DV), by William George Bentrim
- Sarah’s Waterfall: A Healing Story about Sexual Abuse, by Ellery Akers (CSA)
- Spider-man and Power Pack (Versions for CSA, CPA, & EA), by Stan Leein Cooperation with Prevent Child Abuse America
Abuse Recovery
- The Me Nobody Knows: A Guide for Teen Survivors, by Barbara Bean & Shari Bennett
- A Safe Place to Live (Available in Spanish), by Michelle A. Harrison
- A Terrible Thing Happened, by Margaret M. Holmes
- Back on track: Boys Dealing with Sexual Abuse, by Leslie Bailey Wright & Mindy B. Loiselle
- GROWth and Recovery Workbooks, by Wendy Deaton & Kendall Johnson
- Helping Abused Children, by Patricia Kehoe
- How Long Does It Hurt? By Cynthia L. Mather
- I Can’t Talk About It: A Child’s Book About Sexual Abuse, by Doris Sanford
- In Their Own Words: A Sexual Abuse Workbook for Teenage Girls, by Lulie Munson & Karen Riskin
- It Happened to Me: A Teen’s Guide to Overcoming Sexual Abuse, by Wm. Lee Carter
- Living with My Family: A Workbook, by Wendy Deaton & Kendall Johnson
- Managing Traumatic Stress Through Art, by Barry M. Cohen, Mary-Michola Barnes, & Anita Rankin
- No More Secrets for Me, by Oralee Jane & Aaron Wachter
- Paper Dolls and Paper Airplanes: Therapeutic Exercises for Sexually Traumatized Children, by Geraldine Crisci, Marilynn Lay, and Liana Lowenstein
- Shining Through: Pulling it Together After Sexual Abuse, by Mindy B. Loiselle & Leslie Bailey Wright
- Some Parts are Not for Sharing, by Julie K. Federico
- Something happened and I’m scared to tell (Available in Spanish), by Particia Kehoe
- The Boy Who Sat By The Window, by Chris Loftis
- The PTSD Workbook, by Mary Beth Williams & Soili Poijula
- The Trouble With Secrets, by Karen Johnson
- When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death, by Laurie Krasny Brown & Marc Brown
- When I Was Little Like You, by Jane Porett
- Children and trauma: A guide for parents & professionals, Author: Cynthia Monahon, Publisher: Jossey-Bass
- Helping your child recover from sexual abuse, Author: Caren Adams & Jennifer Fay, Publisher: University of Washington Press
- When your child has been molested, Author: Kathryn Brohl, Publisher: Jossey-Bass
Resilience & Coping
Emotional Expression
- Dealing with feelings card game, by Eric Plugokinski
- Double-dip feelings, by Barbara S Cain
- Emotional bingo, by Marjorie Mitlin
- Josh’s Smiley Faces, by Gina Ditta-Donahue
- Let’s talk about feelings: Ellie’s day, by Susan Conlin & Susan Levine Friedman
- Mad isn’t bad, by Michaelene Mundy
- Sad isn’t bad, by Michaelene Mundy
- The feelings book: The care & keeping of your emotions, by Lynda Madison
- The way I feel (Available in Spanish), by Janin Cain
- Today I feel silly and other moods that make my day, by Jamie Lee Curtis
Coping I
- A volcano in my tummy, Author: Elaine Whitehouse and Warwick Pudney, Publisher: New Society Publishers
- Affirmation Weaver: A Believe in Yourself Story, Author: Lori Lite, Publisher: Stress Free Kids
- Blue cheese breath and stinky feet: How to deal with bullies, Author: Catherine DePino, Publisher: Magination Press
- Don’t be a menace on Sundays: The children’s anti-violence book, Author: Adolph Moser, Publisher: Landmark Editions, Inc.
- Don’t pop your cork on Mondays: The children’s anti-stress book, Author: Adolph Moser, Publisher: Landmark Editions, Inc.
- Don’t feed the monsters on Tuesdays: The children’s self-esteem book, Author: Adolph Moser, Publisher: Landmark Editions, Inc.
- Don’t rant and rave on Wednesdays: The children’s anger-control book, Author: Adolph Moser, Publisher: Landmark Editions, Inc
- Don’t tell a whopper on Fridays: The children’s truth-control book, Author: Adolph Moser, Publisher: Landmark Editions, Inc.
- Don’t hurt me Mamma, Author: Muriel Stanek, Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Coping II
- 4 downs to anger control, Author: Tom Letson, Publisher: Finish Line Press
- How to take the grrrr out of anger, Author: Elizabeth Verdick & Marjorie Lisovskis, Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
- I want your moo, Author: Marcella Bakur Weiner & Jill Neimark, Publisher: Magination Press
- The bear who lost his sleep: A story about worrying too much, Author: Jessica Lamb-Shapiro, Publisher: Childswork/Childsplay, LLC
- The Goodnight Caterpillar: A Children’s Relaxation Story to Improve Sleep, Manage Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Author: Lori Lite, Publisher: Stress Free Kids
- The hyena who lost her laugh: A story about changing your negative thinking, Author: Denise Gilgannon, Publisher: Childswork/Childsplay, LLC
- The koala who wouldn’t cooperate: A story about responsible behavior, Author: Lawrence Shapiro, Publisher: Childswork/Childsplay
- The lion who lost his roar: A story about facing your fears, Author: Marcia Shoshana Nass, Publisher: Childswork/Childsplay, LLC
- The penguin who lost her cool; A story about controlling your anger, Author: Marla Sobel, Publisher: Childswork/Childsplay, LLC
- The rabbit who lost his hop: A story about self-control, Author: Marcia Shoshanna Nass, Publisher: Childswork/Childsplay, LLC
- Words are not for hurting, Author: Elizabeth Verdick, Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Sexuality & Sexual Development
Personal Safety
- It’s my body: A book to teach young children how to resist uncomfortable touch (Available in Spanish), Author: Lory Freeman, Publisher: Parenting Press Inc.
- My body is private, Author: Linda Walvoord Girard, Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co
- Uncle Willy’s tickles: A child’s right to say no, Author: Marcie Aboff, Publisher: Magination Press
- Let’s talk about taking care of you! An educational book about body safety, Author: Lori Stauffer & Esther Deblinger, Publisher: Hope for Families, Inc., www.hope4families.com
- The teen relationship workbook, Author: Kerry Moles, Publisher: Wellness Reproductions and Publishing, Inc
Age-Inappropriate Sexual Behavior
- Helping Children with With Sexual Behavior Problems: A Guidebook for Professionals and Caregivers by Toni Cavanagh Johnson, PhD
- Treatment exercises for child abuse victims and children with sexual behavior problems, by Toni Cavanaugh-Johnson
- Understanding children’s sexual behaviors: what’s natural and healthy, by Toni Cavanaugh-Johnson
Sexuality / Relationship Education (The Birds and the BEES)
- Changing bodies, changing lives, Author: Ruth Bell, Publisher: Three Rivers Press
- My body, my self for girls, Author: Lynda Madaras & Area Madaras, Publisher: Newmarket Press
- The what’s happening to my body book for girls, Author: Lynda Madaras & Area Madaras, Publisher: Newmarket Press
- My body, my self for boys, workbook* Author: Lynda Madaras & Area Madaras, Publisher: Newmarket Press
- The what’s happening to my body book for boys, Author: Lynda Madaras & Area Madaras, Publisher: Newmarket Press,
- The teen relationship workbook, Author: Kerry Moles, Publisher: Research Press Publishers, www.researchpress.com
- Sexuality curriculum for abused children and young adolescents and their parents, Author: Toni Cavanaugh-Johnson, www.tcavjohn.com
- What’s happening to me? Author: Peter Mayle, Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.,
- Where Did I Come From? Author: Peter Mayle, Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
- Asking about sex and growing up: A question and answer book for boys and girls, Author: Joanna Cole, Publisher: Beech Tree Books
Specific Topics
OCD And Anxiety
- Freeing Your Child From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, by Tamar E Chansky
- What to do when your child has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Strategies & Solutions, by Aureen Pinto Wagner
- What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming OCD, by Dawn Huebner, PhD
- Helping Your Child with OCD: A workbook for parents of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder, by Lee Fitzgibbons & Cherry Pedrick
- Worried No More, by Aureen Pinto Wagner
- Up and Down the Worry Hill, by Aureen Pinto Wagner
- Blink, Blink, Clop, Clop: Why We Do Things We Can’t Stop, by E Katia Moritz
Diversity Education
- It’s Okay to be Different, by Todd Parr
- The Other Side, by Jacqueline Woodson
- The Sandwich Swap, by Rania Al Abdullah
- The Name Jar, by Yangsook Choi
- Wonder, by RJ Palacio
- My Name is Maria Isabelle, by Alma Flor Ada
- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, By Johnny Tremain
- The Giver
- The Outsiders
Learning Differences
- Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper
- Keeping A Head in School, by Mel Levin
Sleep Problems
- Goodnight to Insomnia by Gregg Jacobs
- Sleeping through the Night” by Jodi Mindell
Spanish Language Books
- Amor & Limites, Author: Elizabeth Crary, Publisher: Parenting Press
- Bright spots: thoughts and feelings card game, Author/Developer: Lisa Marie Arneson, Publisher: Bright Spots Games, www.brightspotgames.com
- Self-calming cards/Tarjetas para calmarse, Author/Developer: Elizabeth Crary & Mits Katayama, Publisher: Parenting Press, Inc., www.parentingpress.com
- Emotional Bingo, Author/Developer: Marjory Mitlin, Publisher: WPS Creative Therapy Store, www.creativetherapystore.com
- Everybody has feelings/Todos tenemos sentimientos, Author/Translator: Charles E Avery & Sandra Marulanda, Publisher: Gryphon House, Inc.
- Fernando furioso, Author: Hiawyn Oram, Publisher: Ediciones Ekare
- Gana la guerra de los berrinches y otras contiendas: Un plan de paz familiar, Author: Cynthia Whitman, Publisher: Perspective Publishing
- La guia de los niños a quien tu puedes confiar: Protegete en la casa, en la escuela y el Internet, Author: Catalina Herrerías, MSW, Ph.D., Publisher: Jist Publishing
- La Respuesta es No, Author: Cynthia Whitman, Publisher: Amat Editorial
- Las palabras dulces, Author: Carl Norac, Publisher: Editorial Corimbo, Luisa dice palabrotas, Author: Chirstian Lamblin, Publisher: Luis Vives Editorial
- Palabras Sabias Acerca de la Disciplina video (DVD), Developer: James Sayre, Distibutor: Active Parenting Publishers
- Somos un Arcoiris /We are a rainbow, Author: Nancy Maria Grande Tabor, Publisher: Charlesbridge
- Tanya y el hombre tobo, Author: Lesley Koplow, Publisher: Magination Press
Others
BOOKS FOR THERAPISTS
- Assessing and treating physically abused children and their families: A cognitive-behavioral approach, Author: David Kolko & Cynthia Cupit Swenson, Publisher: Sage Publications
- Child abuse and culture: Working with diverse families, Author: Lisa Aronson Fontes
- Let’s Talk about coping and safety skills: A workbook, about taking care of ME! Author: Lori Stauffer & Esther Deblinger, Publisher: Hope for Families, Inc., www.hope4families.com
- Stickin’ to, watchin’ over, and getting’ with: An African American parent’s guide to discipline, Author: Howard C. Stevenson, Gwendolyn Davis & Saburah Abdul-Kabir, Publisher: Jossey-Bass
- Treating trauma and traumatic grief in children and adolescents, Author: Judith A. Cohen, Anthony P. Mannarino, & Esther Deblinger, Publisher: Guilford Press
GAMES
- What Do You Know? (DV, PA, CSA), Author/Developer: Esther Deblinger, Felicia Neubauer, Melissa Runyon & Donyale Baker, Publisher: CARES Institute, carestraining@umdnj.edu
- Dealing with Feelings Card Game, Author: Eric Plugokinski, Publisher: Creative Therapy Store
- Dr. Playwell’s Worry-Less Game, Author/Developer: Karen Schader, Publisher: Childswork/Childsplay, ASIN#: B002G97052
- Emotional Bingo, Author: Marjorie Mitlin, Publisher: Western Psychological Services, www.wpspublish.com
- Feelings Fair, Publisher: Franklin Learning Systems, www.selfhelpwarehouse.com
- Feelings Wheel Game, Author/Developer: Norma Leben & Franco Acquaro, Publisher: Morning Glory Treatment Center for Children, www.playtherapygames.com
- Let’s Talk About Touching- A Therapeutic Game, Author: Toni Cavanaugh- Johnson, www.tcavjohn.com
- Memory Garden a Bereavement Card Game, Author: Lisa-Marie Arneson, Publisher: Bright Spots Games, www.BrightSpotsGames.com
- The Empathy Game, Author/Developer: Lawrence Shapiro, Publisher: Child’s Work/ Child’s Play, www.childswork.com
- The Saying Goodbye Game, Publisher: Child’s Work/ Child’s Play, www.childswork.com
- The Peace Path Game (DV/PA), Author: Lisa Marie Barden, Publisher: WPS Creative Therapy Stores, www.wpspublish.com
- The Talking, Feeling, and Doing Game, Author: Richard A. Gardner, M.D., Publisher: Therapeutic Resources, www.therapeuticresources.com
- The You and Me Social Skills Collection, Author: Lawrence Shapiro, Publisher: Child’s Work/ Child’s Play, www.childswork.com
- Thoughts & Feelings Card Game, Author: Lisa Marie Arneson, Publisher: Bright Spots Games, www.BrightSpotsGames.com
- Happy to Be Me: Self-Respect, Publisher: Boulden Publishing, www.bouldenpublishing.com
- Mad Me: Anger Management, Publisher: Boulden Publishing, www.bouldenpublishing.com
- Anger Management: Quiz Show Video, Publisher: Boulden Publishing, www.bouldenpublishing.com
VIDEOS FOR PARENTS
- Shaking, hitting, spanking: What to do instead, Publisher: Gold Bell Productions, www.childdevelopmentmedia.com
- Yelling, threatening, & putting down: What to do instead, Publisher: Gold Bell Productions, www.childdevelopmentmedia.com
- What do I do if My Child is Gay? LEAD WITH LOVE FILM.“Lead With Love is a 35-minute documentary created to help answer that question. Our goal is to provide comfort, information, and guidance for parents who have recently learned that their son or daughter is lesbian, gay, or bisexual. ”
About Us
Arkansas Families First is a multidisciplinary behavioral health care group that offers a variety of health services for children, teens and families in Central Arkansas. Our group of independently practicing providers strive to provide the best, most comprehensive care that modern psychology, psychiatry, counseling, and other disciplines have to offer.
Mission
Arkansas Families First is devoted to unlocking the full potential of children and families. We utilize the latest research and the most skilled providers in the service of improving people’s lives. We strive to empower parents and to integrate multiple disciplines in the building of strong families and healthy children.
Our Promise
We take a strengths-based approach utilizing the latest evidence-based treatments and include parents in all aspects of treatment and assessment. We’ll find the service and the provider that best fits your family. With our growing list of clinicians, if you are not satisfied with your provider or services will help you make the necessary changes.