14th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards FINALIST - 2020 / Endorsed by the National Anger Management Association - "Michael A. Brown's children's book, What I Tell Myself FIRST, is a great contribution to the development of all children. It is especially beneficial for kids with a history of trauma, mistrust of adults, or who had early childhood losses and didn't develop healthy emotional self-regulation. This book has a lot of great lessons and I like every well illustrated page." - Dr. Rich Pfeiffer President, National Anger Management Association (NAMA) ★★★★★ "...an excellent source of support as questions and self-doubt may arise throughout early childhood and into early adolescence. The author has thoroughly analyzed all possible situations and handed readers fantastic phrases to recite in preparation to meet their challenges head-on. From friendships to the stresses of school, from work ethics to bullying, Brown includes phrases that are easy to commit to memory and inspiring in every way." - Literary Titan. ★★★★★ "Crucial life lessons and empowering personal affirmations for young children overflow on the vibrant pages of What I Tell Myself First by author Michael A. Brown, with illustrations by Zoe Ranucci. Unlike many other motivational books directed at younger readers, this book addresses both the good and the bad, presenting realistic, optimistic, and self-driving ideas that can help to shape developing minds. Beautifully illustrated with a clear vision of childhood challenges, What I Tell Myself First is an honest and original take on positivity and self-help for youngsters." Self-Publishing Review Written by a US military veteran, What I Tell Myself FIRST: Children's Real-World Affirmations of Self-Esteem, based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, is a book of real-world affirmations that highlight the various abilities and attributes of the reader while exposing readers to realistic possibilities of rejection of difference in various forms. What I Tell Myself FIRST then enables readers to form mental frameworks to surmount those forms of rejection of difference and achieve positive self-actualization. This book is to readers what the AED is to a heart: it instills the defibrillator of self-esteem so powerful that it addresses bullying, body-shaming, hate, learning abilities, failure, and outside attacks on the self by other people who may need the very same help themselves. "Overall, the book seems well intentioned, and Ranucci's (Crave to be Bold, 2018, etc.) energetic images hearteningly show diverse skin colors, body shapes, and abilities. Also, although plenty of children's books offer affirmations, few address Maslow's theory." - Kirkus Reviews "Brown, a former police officer, college professor, and anger management specialist, combines his empowerment training with his love for children in these powerful lessons in self-esteem. This positive and heartwarming text is one that educators, caregivers, and children can learn from again and again. This beautifully illustrated picture book will enhance both homes and classrooms with its positive affirmations and gentle lessons in self-worth." - Book Life Reviews by Publishers Weekly Quill says: "What I Tell Myself FIRST is an excellent book that should be in every classroom and shared with young readers from preschoolers through elementary level readers. The positive, self-affirmations it teaches are priceless." - Feathered Quill Book Reviews What I Tell Myself First by Michael A. Brown -- "a much-needed tool for educators and parents trying to promote the development of self-esteem in their students and children." -- Eve Panzer, Barefoot Librarian RCR Says: "Based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, What I Tell Myself FIRST is a novel approach to a perennial need for younger reading materials that teach confidence and self-reliance." - Red City Review LitPick says "What I Tell Myself FIRST by Michael A. Brown encourages a refreshing conversation of healing and hope for the children of the 20s...Overall, I found the book What I Tell Myself FIRST to be a frank and healing conversation starter about self-esteem." - LitPick Reviews "What I Tell Myself FIRST may help readers of all ages become just a bit more self-aware as well as help to build their self-esteem. It really is the most remarkable and accomplished children's book and is highly recommended." - Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite An artist since childhood, Zoe lives in Belmont, NC and never had to ponder the question "what do I want to be when I grow up?" After graduating from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1993 Zoe moved to Cleveland, Ohio to start her career. She worked for 7 years as an Art Director for GR&A Advertising until moving to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2002 and took the opportunity to begin her freelance venture. Currently, Zoe runs an independent graphic design and illustration studio and is enjoying great success. Zoe has enjoyed the wonderful opp