The StoryBook Project
This written and artistic content is copyrighted. Please contact the author for prints and content. A downloadable link to the project will be available soon. Thank You!
The StoryBook Project is born of personal experience. I grew up in a home where family members were both violent and addicted. My parents could not teach me to understand my emotions because they did not understand their own. The StoryBook Art and Fable describe the healthy process of learning to understand feelings. The StoryBook Project is about simple actions that anyone can take to help a child learn emotional regulation. teach a child feeling names and listen to the child describe those feelings. The project coordinates with funders, professionals, educators and nonprofit organizations to support the goal of emotional literacy. Selections from the work are available as originals, posters and prints. Read, view more |
The Emotional Ecosystem
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The Fable (Draft): Allison and the Magical Feelings Journey
Illustrations and text selections
Allison is confused when adults tell her not to feel angry or afraid. She feels shaky inside sometimes.
Allison asks Cookie the Cat why adults tell her confusing things about feelings.
Cookie whisks Allison away on a magical feelings journey to find some answers!
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Allison meets the Queen of The Favorite Chair. The Queen tells Allison to venture into The Emotional Ecosystem to learn the secret of "name them to tame them." She will find wisdom there, says the Queen.
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The Emotional Ecosystem is a land filled with fantastic feeling creatures. Each one wants to meet Allison!
The first to greet Allison is The Sad Basset. He shakes his rainbow ears and says, " Allison, all your feelings are normal and each one has a name. Feelings don't last. Like these rainbow ears, feelings come in many colors and can change like the weather. Even sadness comes and goes," he says.
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Allison noticed blooms all around her. And a full bouquet appears in her hands. "These are the choices blooms," say the animals with nods and smiles. "They are special. You have choices about the actions you take when you name a feeling. The choice you make need never hurt you are others."
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Allison meets The Gentle Listener who comforts her and listens to all the stories she has waited to tell.
The Trusting Twins wind softly around Allison's legs with a purr. They tell her that friends help her on her emotional journey. "Choose friends you can trust," they say.
The Players tell Allison that activities she enjoys will help her feel better. The Players like music-making.
"Be open-minded and curious," says the Curious Hummingbird. "You will always have something to do, somewhere to go, something to learn! This helps no matter how you feel."
The Gentle Lion of Courage tells
Allison that courage does not exist without fear." Courage," he says, "is walking forward, with your heart beating a mighty fearful rhythm in your chest." His beautiful eyes are soft with age-old wisdom as he rests beneath the trees.
Talking to our children about feelings isn't easy. The StoryBook Project now consists of a number of tools; art, motivational posters, prints, and a fable. I hope to combine these resources into a book. Child development experts and neuroscientific research agree: Name Them to Tame Them. Helping a child name his feelings bolsters emotional stability and healthier relationships.
The Posters - Coming Soon
The Sad Basset, The "Fly Strong" Poster, & print selections from the book illustrations
Exhibitions 2016 - 2018
Mernie Buchanan Gallery exhibition benefitting The Children's Nurturing Project, Fairfield, CA,. July 2016
Benicia Artists' Holiday Open Studios Benicia, CA, Dec 2017
Benicia Art of a Community Benicia, CA Feb 2017
Fundraiser donation Heart 2 Heart Organization serving foster youth, Fairfield, CA, Feb 2017
The Little Art Shop Gallery Donations from sales, Benicia, CA, June 2017 ongoing
Umpqua Bank, Benicia, CA, March and April 2018
Benicia Open Studios Benicia, CA, 2018
Mernie Buchanan Gallery exhibition benefitting The Children's Nurturing Project, Fairfield, CA,. July 2016
Benicia Artists' Holiday Open Studios Benicia, CA, Dec 2017
Benicia Art of a Community Benicia, CA Feb 2017
Fundraiser donation Heart 2 Heart Organization serving foster youth, Fairfield, CA, Feb 2017
The Little Art Shop Gallery Donations from sales, Benicia, CA, June 2017 ongoing
Umpqua Bank, Benicia, CA, March and April 2018
Benicia Open Studios Benicia, CA, 2018
#childdevelopment #emotionalliteracy #atriskyouth #artforawareness #thestorybookseries #marcyfineart #howtotalkaboutfeelings #emotionalhealth
