Reviews—Finding Rena’s Voice

“Eleven-year-old Rena is afraid to sing. She’s surrounded by people who encourage her. However, her fear is real and gets the best of her. A friendly, elderly Jamaican neighbor (Eithan) helps Rena overcome her fear by helping her understand that just praying for help isn’t enough. She also needs to take action and do something. Sweet book emphasizing the importance of family, friends, and courage to try. It made me think of my fears related to singing that go back to when I was Rena’s age. Eithan’s sage advice helps Rena: ‘I do my part to help Heavenly Father perform His miracles for me.’”—Catherine Schulthies, Copper Mountain Middle School Librarian

“This is a must-read children’s book! Don’t we all need to overcome fear to become our best selves? Fay masterfully weaves together the essential pieces of the emotional regulation puzzle in this delightful story, filled with vibrant descriptions that bring each page to life. For example, the unwanted emotion of fear becomes more understandable when likened to squishing a spider—a simple, relatable comparison.

“Simple examples of awareness of our feelings, identifying and reappraising our thoughts, modulating responses, and practicing mindfulness are accurately touched on as components for meaningful change. Ultimately, the story reminds readers that often our emotional responses can be a choice and that the power of prayer is not just in the prayer itself. It is the connection rooted in belief of doing it with God that provides us with peace and hope that gives us the transformative courage to try so each of us can realize our divine potential!” —Kristine Jeppesen, Occupational Therapist, MOTR/L

“Finding Rena’s Voice is a wonderful story of an eleven-year-old ‘girl child’ who is afraid to sing. With encouragement from her mother, her adorable robot dog, her next-door neighbor Eithan, her singing friend, Harper, and help from prayers to her Heavenly Father, Rena finds the courage to sing loud and clear!

 “Having been in the child education business for most of my career, I have found that positive feedback and encouragement are powerful tools in finding success like Rena did in Finding Rena’s Voice.

 “The illustrations in this book are magnificent! This is a story about conquering fear and Rena’s success at doing just that!”—Thurl Jacobson, retired president, Oxford Learning Source

Reviews—I Am Strong! I Am Smart!

“A lovely story about the supporting and loving relationship between a girl and her grandmother. Mrs. Klingler has written a touching book that is great for any generation of women to read in times when they need to be reminded of how special they are. It is also a wonderful reminder that four hands working as a team get more done than two hands working by themselves! Well written and with a moving story. Grandmothers, mothers, and daughters will love to read this book together.”—Mylinh Hamlington, Master of Library and Information Science, Children’s Librarian, Erie Community Library, Erie, Colorado

“Life lessons are not easy to learn. Sometimes life’s road becomes a bit smoother when we receive loving guidance from someone with more life experience. In this gentle story of a grandmother teaching through love, a granddaughter not only learns that she is strong and smart, but she is able to share these ‘life lessons’ in return. Sharing between generations goes both directions in this sweet story of caring and giving and is enhanced by the beautiful artwork.”—Pam Bunderson, Masters in Elementary Education

“All children need a grandma like Grandma May. This delightful story reminds all of us that love, teamwork, and grandmas are such an essential part of life.”—Chrissie Staples, Four Winds Television, New Zealand

“Grandma helps Lu with some of her problems at school when she is having some trouble, and then Lu helps Grandma after she unexpectedly has a stroke. Each one of us needs to be reminded that she is strong and smart and very loved. Fay Klingler does just that with this lovely story. The illustrations are beautifully done by Brianna Shawcroft and add to the feeling of love that this family shares in the story. Everyone can make a difference in someone’s life, whether she or he is 11 or 80!”—Lori Frischknecht, English Teacher, Brigham City, Utah

“A story of family love and support that has inspired me to be more verbal about my faith and support for my own grandchildren.”—Sue Doucette, Mother, Grandmother, and Early Childhood Educator, Dalton, Massachusetts

“A heartwarming story that crosses generations and encourages children to believe in themselves. Readers will be drawn to the relationship of Grandma May and her granddaughter Lu as they give each other support to overcome challenges through some very sweet and creative problem solving solutions!”—Amy Ambrozich, Master of Arts, Co-founder of Dare to Parent

“The size of this little book belies the depth and sweep of its content. I received it as a much appreciated gift. Each page reaffirms the value of the reader and every other person as well. The concise, uplifting meditations also come with space for writing personal reflections. Irrespective of an individual's religion, the sage advice and upbeat ideas will leave the reader with hope and a positive path forward.”—Amazon review—Keith and Wendy

“Who of us does't struggle daily for the ‘peace that surpasseth all understanding.’ We need it to survive in these troubled times. The author has done an amazing job of providing enriching and uplifting scriptures in a daily, easy-to-read format to support hearing the true and very personal voice of God on a daily/hourly basis. His love and confidence in our ability to manage our journeys here on earth are profound, and this author and book helps us quickly and easily his voice and shut out the other voices that compete for dominating our days and emotions. Great for helping us choose to ACT not REACT to behaviors of others.
“THANK YOU, Fay! This is truly a treasure and a Godsend for those who loved the Latter-day Saint Self Reliance course on Emotional Resiliency. It's a companion to that great work to keep it alive, in the forefront and in action for better days and a happier life.”—Amazon review—Carolyn Allen

“These days especially, life can get us down. This little book offers a daily reminder of our own worth, the love that God has for us, how we can grow from and overcome trials, and even just a pick-me-up whenever you need it. Each topic is practical as well as affirming, and each page offers spiritual uplift and a space for notes for personal thoughts, experiences, etc. that the reader can add or not, as they see fit. It's great for kids and adults alike!”—Amazon review—knowlt

“Fay Klingler is not only well grounded in the gospel, but her stories, quotes, and wisdom offer hope and help to make our lives more deeply meaningful.”—Linda Eyre, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Teaching Your Children Values

“Fay has accurately captured the essence of our potential as women and has carefully and expertly guided us to discover that power within ourselves.”—Marcia Z. Ford, former National President of American Mothers, Inc.

“Inspiring and uplifting, this book offers warm encouragement, positive spiritual solutions, and fresh, enlightening insights into eternal truths.”—Carolyn Campbell, award-winning author

“Honestly, I was humbled as I finished this book, and grateful. Fay does a marvelous job in giving women patterns for life, a tapestry of threads for safety and power.”—Dr. J. Kent Griffiths, DSW, LCSW, LMFT

  “This book is worth the price and has some very good ideas. With any book of this nature you will find some things that are excellent, some OK and some that seem silly. Each idea's merit depends on what works for the individual and his or her family. I would recommend this to grandparents looking for ways to connect with their grandchildren and I advise them to choose the ideas that seem relevant and give them a try.”—Amazon review—Jonesy

“I just read the LDS Grandparents' Idea Book by Fay Klingler. The many experiences that grandparents have with their grandchilden are very worthwhile. The activities were fun to try and do; some will be tried over and over. As I read this book, I felt that grandparents love their grandchildren. It is a book that can be read again and again and still get a new thought from reading it.”—Amazon review—June Alldredge

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