Menderist.com

tree trunk in the top right with roots extending out on all sides; in lower left, the root has grown in a circle, and there is a pool of water in the center reflecting gray sky and branches; leaves and sticks surround; moss on trunk and roots; gravel lane and blurry young trees in the background

an outstretched hand
offering to share its drink
humanitree
#HaikuSaturday 💚 #trees 💚 #rolemodels 💚 #humanity

From Uma Krishnaswami, Book Uncle And Me is middle-grade novel about the power of grassroots activism and how kids can make a difference. The book won the International Literacy Association Social Justice Literature Award. Soon, two sequels followed!

Teens and Online Gambling - Child Mind Institute Learn why online gambling is rising among teens, understand the warning signs of a gambling problem, and how to talk openly with kids about betting and risk.

Teens and Online Gambling - "Despite age limits, many teens are gambling online," noted Child Mind Institute in a recent post. CMI has just updated its information to help parents navigate this issue with their children. childmind.org/article/teen...

Inspiring Hope in Students - Menderist Author Kern Carter shares how he encourages children to build hope through action. A story with an idea for parents.

Encouraging Middle School Kids to Get Involved - Modern challenges might discourage kids from working towards change. But, suggests Author Kern Carter, a parent’s guidance can help kids to find ways to take action, and to learn resilience and persistence in the process. menderist.com/inspiring-ho...

Winter Reading: 10 Children’s Books with Mental Health Themes - Menderist Parents can help their children before the teen years by reading and sharing books with mental health themes.

Books For Parents and Children to Read Together: 10 books with mental health themes, recommended by children's book specialists. Menderist's new list for Winter 2025/2026. Our list highlights *well-reviewed books, published in 2025*. See below: menderist.com/winter-readi...

Hopeful Moments of Helping Teens Soar - Menderist A librarian shares hopeful news about monarch butterflies, comparing them to recent encouraging trends in teen readers.

Good News About Teen Readers - Behavior therapist @abbiewjames.bsky.social shares an encouraging story about teen readers at the public library where she works.She notes similarities between young readers and positive news about monarch butterfly populations: menderist.com/hopeful-mome...

Feeling Hopeful for 2026? - Authors, librarians & teachers share how they increased their sense of hope. Short pieces include positive signs in teen readers – reducing doom scrolling – inspiring children to make change – and hope during illness. See link: menderist.com/tag/year-in-...

Winter Reading: 10 Children’s Books with Mental Health Themes - Menderist Parents can help their children before the teen years by reading and sharing books with mental health themes.

Children’s Book About Living with Anxiety - For parents or caregivers of 9-12 year olds struggling with anxiety, Gabrielle Prendergast's 2025 novel, "The Anxious Exile of Sara Salt," is recommended. See below for more info. (@gsprendergast.bsky.social) menderist.com/winter-readi...

Tree window. I’m starting off 2026 with walks in the woods and finding more lessons of hope in trees. For more hope and more trees read Growing Hope at menderist.com from @menderist.bsky.social

Building Hope Through Community - Menderist A researcher shares how participating in a community theatre organization helped her feel more hopeful after a difficult year.

Improving Family Mental Health - Researcher Amanda Doherty-Kirby @biochemmama.bsky.social shares how joining a local group, the River Clyde Pageant, led to major benefits for her and her family. She encourages others to join supportive community groups, and to try something new. #pei

More Hope in 2026 - Nine writers share how they increased their sense of hope. Short essays about strength from nature – reducing doom scrolling – inspiring children to make change – and maintaining hope during illness. See: menderist.com #HappyNewYear2026

A resource for eating disorders in East and Southeast Asian communities, developed by @thenedic.bsky.social: nedic.ca/bipoc/east-a...

More Hope in 2026 - Nine writers share how they increased their sense of hope. Short essays about strength from nature – reducing doom scrolling – inspiring children to make change – and maintaining hope during illness. See: menderist.com #HappyNewYear2026

Hope from a School’s Larger Purpose - Menderist An educator shares how he finds inspiration and hope by reflecting on his school’s larger purpose. A story about collective effort.

Inspiration for Educators - teacher Rolland Chidiac shares a short essay about a way he maintains hope and appreciation for his work. See link below. #teacherlife menderist.com/hope-from-a-...

How Keeping a Reading Log Increased My Hope - Menderist Author Cathy Carr shares how keeping a reading log helped her build hope after a difficult year. A story about reclaiming your time.

How Can You Increase Your Happiness After a Year of Trouble? Author Cathy Carr shares how she reduced time spent scrolling on her phone … and helped boost her hope and productivity. See below: menderist.com/how-keeping-...

2025: A Good Year?
Read 9 personal stories from Authors & Educators who share how — even during a year of major personal challenges — they found hope during 2025. See below: menderist.com

Thank you to Menderist for including my reflection on monarchs, teens, and reading in their Growing Hope in 2025 issue. 🌱 🦋 📚

How Keeping a Reading Log Increased My Hope - Menderist Author Cathy Carr shares how keeping a reading log helped her build hope after a difficult year. A story about reclaiming your time.

How Can You Increase Your Happiness After a Year of Trouble? Author Cathy Carr shares how she reduced time spent scrolling on her phone … and helped boost her hope and productivity. See below: menderist.com/how-keeping-...

Inspiring Hope in Students - Menderist Author Kern Carter shares how he encourages children to build hope through action. A story with an idea for parents.

Increasing Hope in Children: Author Kern Carter shares a simple way for parents to discover what their children value — and how to help them start the changes they want to see. Story at: menderist.com/inspiring-ho...

2025: A Good Year?
Read 9 personal stories from Authors & Educators who share how — even during a year of major personal challenges — they found hope during 2025. See below: menderist.com

Winter Reading: 10 Children’s Books with Mental Health Themes - Menderist Parents can help their children before the teen years by reading and sharing books with mental health themes.

Family Reading over the Holidays? See our list of 10 children’s books, recommended by contributors, that have mental health themes. 10 *recent books* – most published in 2025 – that are suitable for parents and kids to read together. See below: menderist.com/winter-readi...

Trying to increase your children's sense of hope (and your own)? The Story and Science of Hope, a 2025 book by Andrea Curtis for children aged 9 to 12, is one of our 10 *new* recommended children's books with mental health themes. See: menderist.com/winter-readi...

Winter Reading: 10 Children’s Books with Mental Health Themes - Menderist Parents can help their children before the teen years by reading and sharing books with mental health themes.

Trying to increase your children's sense of hope (and your own)? The Story and Science of Hope, a new book for children aged 9 to 12, is one of our 10 *new* recommended children's books with mental health themes. See: menderist.com/winter-readi...

Winter Reading: 10 Children’s Books with Mental Health Themes - Menderist Parents can help their children before the teen years by reading and sharing books with mental health themes.

Family Reading over the Holidays? See our list of 10 children’s books, recommended by contributors, that have mental health themes. 10 *recent books* – most published in 2025 – that are suitable for parents and kids to read together. See below: menderist.com/winter-readi...

Treasuring the Imperfect - Menderist An author's personal story shows that truly memorable gifts are those that are handmade or personalized.

Choosing Gifts for the Holidays? – Simple presents with a personal touch are often people’s favorite, reflects author Cathy Carr in her popular story from last December. She shares her own experience and suggests ideas for meaningful homemade gifts. See below: menderist.com/treasuring-t...

Remembering Others in Joyful Times - Menderist A memorable gift celebrates a new baby's arrival and helps others facing difficulties after Hurricane Katrina.

Memorable Gifts, 2024 issue: A popular story from author Deborah Kerbel about one of the most memorable gifts she's ever received – a gift that celebrated the birth of her daughter, while helping a family impacted by Hurricane Katrina. menderist.com/remembering-...

Winter Reading: 10 Children’s Books with Mental Health Themes - Menderist Parents can help their children before the teen years by reading and sharing books with mental health themes.

Planning more family reading time this holiday? Check out Menderist's *new* 'Winter Reads' recommendations for 10 children's books with mental health themes. See below: menderist.com/winter-readi...

Stories About Youth Mental Health - 16 authors share their experiences in "Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes". For info see *new* Menderist list of 10 books that parents and children can read together: menderist.com/winter-readi...

Summer Reading: 19 Children's Books with Mental Health Themes - Menderist Parents can help their children before the teenage years by sharing books about common youth mental health challenges.

Children’s Books about Mental Health – Check out Menderist’s list of 19 mental health-themed children's books (age range 8 to 18+ years), which features titles parents and kids can read together. Titles were chosen by children's book specialists. See below: menderist.com/summer-readi...

Treasuring the Imperfect - Menderist An author's personal story shows that truly memorable gifts are those that are handmade or personalized.

Choosing Gifts for the Holidays? – Simple presents with a personal touch are often people’s favorite, reflects author Cathy Carr in her story from last December. She shares her own experience and suggests ideas for meaningful homemade gifts. See below: menderist.com/treasuring-t...