Page 57 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 48

Empowering young minds through emotional literacy! Lynn McLaughlin and her niece Amber Raymond bring us “The Power of Thought” series, a captivating journey into understanding and managing emotions. With vibrant characters named after crystals and a fictional world where feelings glow, these books provide children with essential tools for resilience, empathy, and self-confidence. A must-read for parents, educators, and young adventurers alike!
Your first book, Steering Th- rough It, details your journey through a life-threatening illness and its impact on you and your loved ones. How did writing this book help you process your experience, and what do you hope readers take away from your story?
Journaling is the one place where I can pour out my deepest fears
and thoughts without the worry of burdening or hurting those I care about. It became a lifeline for me the day I received my diagnosis of
a brain tumour. It allowed me to process overwhelming emotions and find a sense of clarity, even in the
Lynn McLaughlin is a compassionate advocate and gifted author, transforming personal challenges into powerful stories that inspire and educate.warmth.
own approach to adversity?
Since I began hosting the podcast over 4 years ago, I have been in awe of the strength and courage each of our guests have shared. Many had no voice and spoke out for the first time on my show, with vulnerability and resilience, reinforcing my belief in the strength of the human spirit. I learn something from every guest, as unique as their stories may be. There are universal truths that bind us, and I have applied many of these lessons in my own life, while continuing
to share these powerful stories to inspire others.
in capturing the son’s emotional journey with authenticity and empathy.
Your children’s book series The Power of Thought, co-autho- red with your niece Amber Raymond, focuses on teaching emotional literacy to children. What motivated you to create this series, and how do you en- vision these books being used by parents and educators?
My motivation for writing
The Power of Thought struck me during a walk—an ‘AHA’ moment that led me to collaborate with
my niece, a new Master of Social Work graduate. I realized that rather than waiting for children
to struggle, we should teach them proactive strategies. As a lifelong educator, I’ve seen how early interventions can transform a child’s life. Our thoughts, feelings and actions are all connected. The series and accompanying resources give readers concrete tools they
can practice and use right away. Ultimately, I know these books are laying a foundation for healthier and more resilient futures in today’s kids.
You are actively involved in several community organi- zations, including the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada and Kingsville Southshore Ro- tary. How do these volunteer efforts align with your mission of advocacy and helping others meet their full potential?
Volunteerism builds stronger, more connected communities,
and raises awareness about social issues. We see through firsthand experiences the tragedies and crises that people are enduring. It changes our perspective. My mantra today is, “If that’s the biggest problem I have to face today, then life is pretty awesome”.
When 100 women come together four times a year to award a non- profit community organization with $10,000 in funding, it’s a different approach. The result is a ripple effect that makes a direct impact, bringing contagious joy to donors and recipients alike.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
With The Power of Thought series, you incorporate unique elements such as characters named after crystals and the concept of emotions being visually represented. How do these creative choices enhance the learning experience for children, and what feedback have you received from young readers and their families?
We had an incredible time collaborating with our illustrator to bring The Power of Thought series to life with combined creativity. Our goal was to teach children in a way that was both meaningful and fun, beaming readers off to a fictional planet where child-like beings glow in the colours of their feelings. Each character, named after a crystal, embodies a different emotional
trait. This, in combination with
the illustrations make the plot and characters easy for children to see, understand, and interact with.
Readers, including grandparents, have raved about The Power of Thought series which makes complex feelings fun and easy to understand. It’s more than just a
set of books—it’s an adventure
that empowers children to identify, articulate, and manage their feelings using proven strategies. Kids are not only learning about their feelings, but also gaining essential skills for well-being, including resilience, self-confidence, empathy, problem solving and social skills.
For the past 18 months, our podcast has shifted its focus to the well-being of children and youth,
viewing it through a proactive lens. These conversations have been powerful and often heart- wrenching, reminding us that what we teach our children now can shape their ability to thrive or struggle later.
Mental health awareness is a central theme in your book Jackson. What inspi- red you to write this deep-
face of my greatest uncertainties. Those journals are what drove the publishing of the book, Steering Through It, but with an added twist. I asked my family members to write about the moments that were most poignant for them, recognizing that each of us faced my illness in our own unique way. This book delves into tough, honest questions, allowing every reader to find a connection to their own life - whether they are a patient, a loved one, or someone navigating their own challenges.
As the host of the podcast Taking the Helm, you’ve inter- viewed many individuals who have turned crises into oppor- tunities. What common themes have you discovered in their stories, and how have these conversations influenced your
ly personal story, and how has it resonated with readers who may be facing similar challen- ges within their families?
Several signs in my life inspired me to write Jackson. As an educator, I saw how anxiety was affecting students and staff, and I heard similar struggles from friends and family. I felt driven to tell this
story from both a mother’s and son’s perspective. In Jackson, I tackled the delicate balance between helping and inadvertently causing harm, a challenge many parents face, driven by love but fraught with difficult decisions. The most well-intentioned actions can have unintended consequences. Writing from the son’s perspective was particularly challenging, so I sought the guidance of Yvonne Marrs, a respected author and chronic illness sufferer. Her insights were crucial
Reader’s House II 57
D