How to Like Yourself

February 1, 2016
In this addition to the Instant Help Solutions series, Bradshaw, a professional counselor, acknowledges that self-esteem doesn’t necessarily come naturally and often needs to be cultivated. Writing in an intimate and friendly tone, she discusses how negative self-images arise and how to break the thought patterns that lead to low self-esteem, without painting a too-rosy view of the world. When discussing the “Inner Critic Know-It-All” (ICK), Bradshaw acknowledges that part of the reason why the ICK is so powerful is that it uses “thought traps” like overgeneralization, “all-or-nothing thinking,” and catastrophizing to trick us into jumping to skewed conclusions. Exercises designed to help readers identify, disrupt, and restructure the ways they view themselves and others offer concrete tactics for those looking to make change in their lives. Ages 13–up.

April 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-Between outside pressures and an internal critic, it can be difficult to appreciate oneself. Bradshaw's relaxed and friendly approach will put readers at ease about a complex and challenging subject. Part 1 ("Past") focuses on forgiveness. Bradshaw asserts that there are two types of forgiveness: accepting the situation to move on without anger and bitterness and forgiving to forget. Part 2 ("Present") begins the first steps to building a healthy self-confidence and believing that one is a likable individual. It guides readers through exercises in dealing with their inner critic (or ICK), finding their true inner voice, and exploring the self-time continuum and concludes with the 80-20 Rule. Part 3 ("Future") is designed for the Future You and concerns adding other relationships into the mix. VERDICT This is not necessarily a text that teens would select from the library shelves, but it may be well used as a desk copy for middle and high school counselors. A solid text with good advice overall.-Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2016
Grades 9-12 Inspired by her job as a university counselor, Bradshaw offers teens a guide to the tricky topic of self-esteem. Using quirky, second-person narration and a conversational tone, she helps readers find and nurture their true self and squelch the inner-critic know-it-all (ICK). Readers are asked to examine past relationships or significant events but not dwell on themthey happened, and they are part of memory. From there Bradshaw asserts that while memory won't let the past be forgotten, it does not have to be repeated. The text helps readers gain the confidence to recognize that their past troubles don't define their present lives or need to be part of future relationships. The book is comprehensive, covering multiple aspects of liking/loving oneself, but its main focus is on moving forward and building a healthy self-esteem. Some teens may be turned off by the book's length or conversational style, but many will find comfort in its pages.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)