LaLa Feels Blah-La: A children's book that teaches kids how to be the change through mindfulness is a storybook for children written by Tela Kayne and illustrated by Goran Vitanovic. LaLa had no idea why she woke up in such a terrible mood that morning. Outside her window, she could see the sun shining, and the sky was clear and blue. Still, she felt just plain blah. When she went downstairs for breakfast, her mom was in her usual good mood, but even her smiling face and happy breakfast did little to help LaLa get over her case of the blues. Then her mom taught LaLa a very special technique for making blah days into happy ones. LaLa is willing to try it -- will it work?

Tela Kayne’s storybook for children, LaLa Feels Blah-La: A children's book that teaches kids how to be the change through mindfulness, addresses mood swings in children in a positive and inspiring way. I loved seeing how LaLa’s patient and loving mom recognizes her daughter’s icky feelings and waits for LaLa to ask how come she’s always in such a good mood. Goran Vitanovic’s illustrations work perfectly with the story line. When LaLa is feeling Blah-La, his drawings capture her grumpy state in a series of funny pictures that children will relate to as they learn that everyone gets blue once in a while -- but you don’t have to stay that way. LaLa Feels Blah-La is a great offering for story time, but it’s also written clearly and simply enough for young readers to enjoy on their own. It’s most highly recommended.

Whether it’s children or adults, we all have “those” days, the days we wake up, don’t want to get up, and no amount of “cheer up!” works. That’s the kind of day LaLa is having when she stomps down the stairs to breakfast in LaLa Feels Blah-La by Tela Kayne and Goran Vitanovic. In fact, her day is off to such a bad start that not only doesn’t she want a happy pancake breakfast or any lunch, but when Mom asks her gently, “Are you blue?”, she almost nastily replies, “No, I’m skin-coloured like always!”

Clever answer but not one that makes her feel better. That’s when Mom recognizes she needs to help LaLa with a bit of mommy wisdom. As a way to help LaLa understand that what we tell ourselves affects our mood, and ultimately our day, Mommy tells LaLa to picture the two sides of a coin ie. the head and tail sides. What analogy do you think her mother makes? It’s a good one!

After studying countless children’s books, author Tela Kayne has come up with a way in which children’s books can provide spiritual wisdom while being enjoyable. She is planning a series of such books and I’m sure these will be welcomed, especially with the superb illustrations by Goran Vitanovic. LaLa Feels Blah-La uses very simple one-sentence scripting in large print so children can read along. But what will keep children mesmerized and looking at the book again and again are those illustrations. Beautiful!

LaLa Feels Blah-La, written by Tela Kayne and Illustrated by Goran Vitanovic, is a simple lesson in turning a bad mood into a positive event. LaLa refuses to allow her mother’s positive attitude to color her bad mood. LaLa insists upon feeling blue, even without good reason. When her cheerful mother uses a subtle metaphoric example of thinking of the two sides of a coin, LaLa is stubborn in ignoring any positive reciprocation. Exemplifying the standard attitude of pre-adolescence, LaLa continues to react with impertinence until finally her mother’s consistent positive example breaks down the clouds of childish moodiness that shroud an otherwise perfect day.

Remember a time when you wished above all else for the power to retract an unreasonable behavior or inexplicable attitude? LaLa Feels Blah-La is an accurate example of youthful angst that will draw a giggle from a young reader or a knowing nod from an older audience. Tela Kayne breathes relevance into this brief lesson on the much-neglected topic of sensible mindfulness. Combined with the ironically cheerful illustrations of Goran Vitanovic, this is a wonderful addition to any private children’s or public school library. Kayne’s use of suitable language and appropriate prose is no-nonsense and clear in meaning. While not a preachy lesson, the message is just subtle enough to be entertaining while the point of the narrative is apparent. LaLa begins to feel better as this point becomes more relevant as her own idea, giving her ownership in adapting a more appropriate attitude.

LaLa Feels Blah-La is a charming picture book by Tela Kayne, with illustrations by Goran Vitanovic. Little LaLa wakes up one morning feeling blah-la for no apparent reason. She stomps downstairs where she’s greeted by her cheerful mother, who’s in the process of making her a happy pancake breakfast of which LaLa wants no part, determined as she is to remain blah. Her mother ignores her persistent negativity by telling her daughter that she’ll then make her a happy lunch, which sets LaLa off even more. LaLa then asks her mother why she’s so happy, at which point her mother explains the rationale behind happy thoughts, resulting in LaLa having a positive change of heart about her impending day.

On the face of it, LaLa Feels Blah-La shows readers a typical young child who wakes up miserable for no apparent reason and then feels the need to take it out on her parent – a familiar occurrence for anyone who’s ever raised young children. However, Kayne manages to convey a valuable life lesson through her simple narrative in that if you think of happy thoughts, your day will become positive. She has given her readers a cute, relatable protagonist and age-appropriate dialogue. Vitanovic’s simple, colorful illustrations complement the narrative and encourage little fingers to identify the various objects that populate LaLa’s world. Overall, LaLa Feels Blah-La is a sweet picture book that provides a valuable life lesson for children and parents alike.

LaLa Feels Blah-La: A children's book that teaches kids how to be the change through mindfulness by Tela Kayne is a motivational and fun book teaching children that they are in control of their moods. The author does a nice job of keeping the story fun and light but at the same time helping children to understand a very important life lesson. The main character LaLa wakes up in a very grumpy mood and her mother encourages her to "flip the coin" and reverse her attitude. At first LaLa is unsure that it's that simple or possible, but soon comes to realize that she has the power inside herself to control her own feelings and mood.

I think that children will enjoy following along as LaLa turns her bad and grumpy day into a positive and cheerful one. The message is powerful (that we are in charge of our own feelings and outlook in life) and an important one to learn at an early age. Kids often feel that they have no choices and that parents and authority figures make all the decisions. This books highlights the fact that kids are in charge of something very important - themselves! The book also features bright and colorful illustrations to go along with the easy to read text. The world needs more children's books that highlight the importance of self control and the power of moods. The sooner in life that people understand and practice self control, the better! Kudos to Tela Kayne for creating this fun and empowering book!

Good book to read with grandchildren