‘These ABCs Belong to Me’ tackles common insults with a positive spin

With the back-to-school season arriving, classroom socialization may bring about some challenges for children. Name-calling is unfortunately an expected part of classroom turmoil.

Being called bossy, quiet, loud, stubborn or shy are all common occurrences in elementary dialect. These negative labels can shape children’s self-image in ways harmful to their self-esteem.

‘All things I want to celebrate’

With playful rhymes and lively illustrations, the 40-page book provides a positive perspective on 26 alphabetical belittling words children might encounter in the classroom or social settings.

“I wanted to take those words and turn them into a superpower,” McKenzie said in a telephone interview from her home in Virginia. “These are all things I want to celebrate.”

For instance, she explained:

“So yes, while you may be quiet, you’re also incredibly artistic and observant.

“Yes, you may be stubborn, but you’re going to stick up for a friend being bullied.

“Yes, you might be seen as hyperactive or maybe even a little obnoxious, but you are so full of life and energy.”

While it is a children’s book, McKenzie wrote the story for parents and teachers, too.

Creating the narrative

“You are responsible for the foundation of how your children see themselves,” she said, reflecting on how her own parenting style has changed by putting a positive spin on words usually used in a negative context.

“You have to create the narrative you want to teach.”

McKenzie aims to get her book in more school libraries so that children and educators are able to learn from it and create narratives that boost children’s confidence.

The book has received lots of positive feedback from parents and teachers, the author said. McKenzie even notes a change in her own children’s confidence since introducing the story’s lessons.

McKenzie used her own children as inspiration for the illustrations in the book. She noted how representation in the illustrations allowed children to resonate with the morals of the story.

“You can find yourself in this book,” she said, “and I think that’s really special.”