What’s New For The Playroom?

Image: Child with Books In this section we review books, toys, and materials that make being a play therapist more fun, as well as help you be more effective.

Meet Cynthia Rylant!

Ms. Rylant is a children's book author who wrote her first published book in only one hour! Cynthia is a well-recognized author of over 60 books on a variety of topic for adult and children, including her popular titles of When I Was Young in the Mountains, The Relatives Came, Dog Heaven and Cat Heaven. Cynthia Rylant once remarked, “Picture books glow in your hand and they never get boring (if they are done well).” Her books can be helpful for grieving of pets or loss of family members and are relevant to those living in Virginia.

Dog Heaven and Cat Heaven has beautiful and colorful illustrations and simple texts. They can appropriate for all ages, and have a reading level of 4-8 years old. The story fills the reader with a sense of peace and solitude regarding the death of a pet. The author uses language like “There are tasty biscuits shaped like cats…and cozy homes with petting hands” to turn the sometimes scary topic of dying into an exciting journey with four legged friends.

The Relatives Came tells of unique family members coming from across the mountains to reunite under one cozy roof. When I was young in the Mountain is inspired by her visits to her grandparent’s house in the Appalachian mountains. The book’s illustrations with hues of blue, green, brown and gray accentuate her fond childhood memories of the simple and caring lives her grandparents lead. A perfect book that reflects on living in Virginia. These children books and her other award winning pieces are available through selfesteemshop.com, amazon.com and bookcomplex.biz.