"I'm still learning to love myself, but it's okay. I know I can always keep trying."

Even an ordinary day is full of little challenges, especially when you're a kid. Like when you're learning to ride a bike and you still need training wheels...so the other kids ride past you. Or when you jump in a mud puddle...but you fall in and get your pants wet. Luckily you can learn to be kind to yourself with a bit of practice.

In this sweet picture book we accompany a child through their day, from morning to bedtime, as their inner self—portrayed as a cuddly imaginary creature—supports them in their endeavors. Some are harder than others, but the positive message of the text highlights how you can love yourself through big feelings, try something different, say no, and so much more.

Wai Mei Wong is an early childhood educator with a passion for making sure children and their families have the emotional support they need to thrive. Her debut picture book, Hello, Dark, celebrates a child-led solution to nighttime anxiety as a little boy overcomes his fear of the dark by befriending it. Born in Hong Kong, Mei now lives in Toronto with her husband, her nature-loving son, and two feline friends, Sesame and Pepper.

Wai Mei Wong's profile page

Julia Vasileva is a Vancouver, British Columbia–based children's book illustrator whose books include Agent Pangolin and How the Faeries Dance. From an early age she had a voracious love of books and stories, which led to her getting a literature degree. After she immigrated to Canada in 2014, she found herself creating books instead of studying them. Her style combines traditional and digital techniques to build imaginative worlds for children to dive into.

Julia Vasileva's profile page

“Showcases the simple, everyday opportunities a child can encounter to reinforce positive thoughts and self-love…The repetition reminds readers that self-love is a mindset to be continuously practiced and repeated.”

School Library Journal (SLJ)

“Models self-love through affirmations…Other instances express warm appreciation for self and life…Cuddly and reassuring.”

Publishers Weekly

“A solid starting place to spark conversations about self-acceptance and one’s inner self.”

Kirkus Reviews