A CHILD’S BOOK OF AFFIRMATIONS

A simple book of short, positive declarations for young readers.

Archipolo’s (A Child’s Book of Spirituality, 2017) buoyant, encouraging work for children (and for “the inner child in all of us”) includes brief mantras on such topics as love, gratitude, gifts, trust, blessings, and forgiveness. Each is presented clearly in a consistent format: a digital illustration by debut artist Monma representing the topic, set against a colorful sky background, followed by a series of short, poetic phrases (such as “I am love / I love / Myself / I enjoy / Giving love / I enjoy / Receiving love”) and an expression of gratitude. The bright borders and colorful images coincide with the uplifting content. The statements, surrounded by white space, have a minimalistic feel that will allow readers to better focus on the text. Some ambiguous phrases may be beyond a child’s comprehension (“I call back to me / all that is my highest good / by my Divine Right daily”), and others seem naively optimistic (“I am perfect, whole, / and complete / Others are perfect, whole, / and complete”). However, the vast majority are excellent—simple enough for a child to understand, deep enough for an adult to ponder, and meaningful for readers of all ages.

Form and content fit comfortably together to relate straightforward, uplifting, and thought-provoking affirmations.