Sometimes I Cry, Sometimes I Laugh is more than just a story book about naming emotions. It's a tale that shows us that whatever and however big our feelings are, they're valid and worthy, and it's important to express how we feel. Sometimes I Cry, Sometimes I Laugh tells two stories in a flip format. Each begins separately and they meet in the middle, symbolizing the spectrum of emotions we experience. Written by mindful and respectful parenting author and speaker Kristin Mariella, Sometimes I Cry, Sometimes I laugh has a message for parents and children alike - that feeling free and safe to express their feelings is crucial for children's emotional development.

A tragicomic story of bad dates, bad news, bad performances, and one girl's determination to find the funny in high school from the author of Denton Little's Deathdate. Winnie Friedman has been waiting for the world to catch on to what she already knows: she's hilarious. It might be a long wait, though. After bombing a stand-up set at her own bat mitzvah, Winnie has kept her jokes to herself. Well, to herself and her dad, a former comedian and her inspiration. Then, on the second day of tenth grade, the funniest guy in school actually laughs at a comment she makes in the lunch line and asks her to join the improv troupe. Maybe he's even . . . flirting? Just when Winnie's ready to say yes to comedy again, her father reveals that he's been diagnosed with ALS. That is . . . not funny. Her dad's still making jokes, though, which feels like a good thing. And Winnie's prepared to be his straight man if that's what he wants. But is it what he needs? Caught up in a spiral of epically bad dates, bad news, and bad performances, Winnie's struggling to see the humor in it all. But finding a way to laugh is exactly what will see her through. **A Junior Library Guild Selection**

As a grieving father, R. Glenn Kelly exposes the inner thoughts of a man who has lost the most precious of gifts; his child. Written with the powerful and honest emotion that only someone who has walked in his shoes can truly understand, R. Glenn provides encouragement, insight, and hope to men who are "in the club no one wants to belong to." He allows us to walk with him on his path from hidden despair to emerging hope as he discovers his way towards living a life that is fulfilling and honoring to the legacy left behind by his son. Although intended for grieving fathers, Sometimes I Cry in the Shower benefits anyone who has lost a loved one, or loves someone who has. With compassion, humor, and sincerity, Mr. Kelly shows us that love never dies and hope is truly eternal.

Kids will read and sing along as feelings come to life in The Story of My Feelings. Growing up is a tough job, and it is important to embrace laughing, sighing, crying, and yelling. Fun and engaging illustrations by Caroline Jayne Church accompany the lyrics and add a vibrancy to the CD. You know you'll feel better after you read and sing The Story of My Feelings!

Born into meager means a very shy little girl was raised in southwest New Mexico. She met adversity at seemingly every turn but her inner determination and sense of survival against odds led her on an uphill struggle. She and her husband began raising a family at a very young age. Bobbie developed a sense of self worth early in life when she excelled rapidly in her piano lessons. Her music lessons brought about a sense that she had something of value to offer. A professional who has known Bobbie for several years says her story is no less than a miraculous sequence of events. He would say, You will never believe this, but its all true! When Bobbie was in her early thirties, a wife and mother of three teenagers, a friend coerced her into a business course at a community college. It was the factor that eventually led her into nurse training, her lifelong dream. With her strong will and tenacity she continued forth and became a Registered Nurse all the while wondering if she could actually perform at par; her insecurities were still ingrained in her persona. Her training was a very wise commitment of several years. She graduated at age thirty seven. Bobbie enjoyed a very successful nursing career rising to top management. Her passion for quality patient care and empathy for staff members were instrumental in bringing about a very diverse tenure in her professional field. Unfortunately Bobbie experienced a life changing injury while on the job in 2002 which ended her nursing career. Bobbie continues her study of music in the form of voice lessons. She sings in her church and performs elsewhere when able. She is a loyal friend to those who know her and is active in her community in numerous arenas. Bobbie is a story of survival and success and she is to be commended. Bobbies story is well written, very funny and at times surprisingly sad. It demonstrates the strong will she possesses in the very depths of her soul. Today you will find Bobbie and her husband, Fred, of fifty two years, living in Gastonia, North Carolina. Fred unknowingly plucked Bobbie from self destruction when he met her. He has always taken care of her and stands beside her when she needs someone to lean on. Their three adult children live nearby. Bobbie and Fred also have three adult grandchildren and one new great granddaughter.

This thoughtful, poetic book uses metaphors and beautiful imagery to explore the reasons for our tears. In a soft voice, Mario asks, “Mother, why do we cry?” And his mother begins to tell him about the many reasons for our tears. We cry because our sadness is so huge it must escape from our bodies. We cry because we don’t understand the world, and our tears go in search of an answer. Most important, she tells him, we cry because we feel like crying. And, as she shows him then, sometimes we feel like crying for joy. This warm, reassuring hug of a book makes clear that everyone is allowed to cry, and that everyone does.