A Book For Toddlers About Children’s Basic Needs For Good Health

A note from the author, Teresa Wolfe:

This is a book for toddlers about what they need for good health. The words of the book are deliberately simple as it is intended to be a child’s ‘first reader’. The illustrations are what give it substance and life, and the illustrator (Marcia Fjardo) totally nailed it! For instance, in the illustration for feeling safe, there is no person holding or comforting the child as you might expect. Sadly, not all children receive this kind of attention. We wanted to visually suggest that children are capable of creating a safe place for themselves.

My favorite illustration is the one for love. Here is how the illustrator described it: “This one (illustration) is for love. I wanted to portray an image where kids are self-reliable and free to love regardless of the object of their attention and show how their source of love is within themselves.”

My Takeaway Message From The Book:

My takeaway message for children (and everyone) is an awareness of the basic elements needed for a wholesome life. My desire is for children to get an ingrained notion of the basic needs that must be met if they are to thrive and be happy. I want them to understand that it is okay to expect these needs to be met. It is important that all parents and caregivers to have this same awareness and realize it is their responsibility to fill these basic needs for their children.

I believe that children as young as toddlers should be exposed to and embrace these ideas so that as they go through life, they will know how important it is to fulfill their needs. Someday, they may become parents or caregivers and can continue the cycle. Every child deserves to understand the message presented in What Makes Me Healthy, Happy, and Alive?—for their own sake as well as the planet’s.

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My Mission: the promotion of individual and environmental health globally.