Developing your child's self-esteem and confidence Dr. Sears reports that self-esteem is your child’s passport to a lifetime of mental health and social happiness. A children's story that explores the meaning of true value and potential is a very powerful tool for the development of any child. When you share this story, your child will be inspired to think of his or her own potential and self-worth, just like the main character. Raymond's Uncut Diamond takes your child on a journey with a young boy named Raymond, who is given a stone by his Grandpa and sent to the market. While trying to find the right price for his Grandpa's stone, Raymond learns of its true value, as well as his own. Will Raymond succeed in selling his Grandpa's shiny stone? - Will Raymond get the advice he wants from his Grandpa? - What will he learn about true value in his own life? The lesson of the book is best expressed in this inspirational quote by Joyce Meyer: “Potential is a priceless treasure, like gold. All of us have gold hidden within, but we have to dig to get it out.” Raymond's Uncut Diamond is a well-written, inspiring story that will help you to teach your child the meaning of the true value within. This book was created to help with your child's: Self-esteem: Positive self-esteem helps children in their interactions with others and their ability to face life's many challenges. It reminds them that they are worthy of love and accomplishment, and this will stay with them into adulthood. As most children learn their self-worth from their parents, it is very important that parents share stories like Raymond's in order to promote positive self-esteem from a young age. “Can-do attitude”: Children who repeat “I can't” often seek attention and acceptance through harmful behaviors. However, this book encourages your child to put in effort to become better in everything he or she does. The book reinforces the view that not being good at something is a temporary state and encourages children to accept the responsibility to strive and work to become better. Raymond's Uncut Diamond is an entertaining read before bedtime, with the whole family, or as self-reading for older children. Additionally, it is a great resource for teachers and counselors to share with individual students or in a class. With vibrant, delightful illustrations and easy-to-digest lessons, children will become sharp and shining like their true value!!! **** `In you is the potential to become a well-cut diamond' (July 8, 2014) **** Israeli author A. M. Marcus is a storyteller of the first order. A. M. Marcus holds the golden pen and his lesson on self esteem is a fine one. Let's hope he continues to write these superb little books for children (and for sensitive adults teaching children!). - Grady Harp ( TOP 100 REVIEWER) ******* ** Another gem by Marcus... (July 13, 2014) ******* ** This new book by , by children's author A. M. Marcus, encourages children to try to become better in all things they do. Not being good at something, is only a temporary thing, if you are willing to work on it. This book encourages children to accept responsibility , and to try to work harder . This is really a lesson in positive self-esteem , and how the people (parents, grandparents, teachers...) in a child's life must help that child meet his inner poetical head on. - Dr. Oceanfront (TOP 50 REVIEWER) **** A diamond in the rough **** In the other children's stories that I've read by A. M. Marcus, the stories themselves were entertaining enough, but each one carried an underlying message about personal development. The book is using the analogy of an uncut diamond in the rough that has the potential to become a brilliant gemstone with great value when the stone is cut. The lesson helped greatly to give more confidence and to inspire one to develop those abilities. It's a valuable lesson for children to learn at an early age. - J. Chambers (HALL OF FAME, TOP 10 REVIEWER) "Tell me a fact and I'll learn. Tell me a truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever." Native American proverb A. M. Marcus graduated from the Technion Israel Institute Of Technology with B.Sc. Cum Laude in Computer Engineering. Throughout his studies, he has been teaching and helping children with math and through his work, he has helped them to discover their inner strength and motivation to continue studying and nurturing success in life. He loves the challenge of early education, and especially enjoys working with children with learning difficulties. He has found great satisfaction in helping them conquer their fears and overcome the challenges associated with their education. A. M. Marcus has read hundreds of self improvement books, and been influenced heavily by them. Through self-reflection, he found that his great dream was to share that wisdom, especially with kids. A. M. Marcus left his computer engineering career in order to pur