Reg Takes a Trip is a book with a message that supports parents and children in learning how to co-regulate their emotions with others.

Reg—short for Regulate and pronounced with a hard /g/— is a black bear cub who doesn’t like to go to sleep. When bedtime arrives, Reg must find a way to wind down. Readying for sleep is a process of preparation that involves the whole body and mind, and it is Reg’s caregiver and big sister, Co-co who helps him co-regulate. Co-co facilitates this endeavour by helping Reg to feel his emotions, as they work through the big feelings of his day.

In this story, Co-co uses a relaxation tool called guided imagery or visualization to help Reg prepare his mind and body for bed. He imagines what he could see, hear, smell and touch when he takes a trip to the ocean. Co-co facilitates the trip using paced breathing to accompany the visual, to calm Reg’s agitation and resistance, as well as to help him relax and remain comfortable in preparation for sleep.

Lori Gard's profile page

Emma Martin's profile page

Lori Gard is the founder of Solution Talk Counselling, a virtual counselling clinic for clients of all ages. She is currently a K-6 school counsellor and was a teacher with the Public Schools Branch of Prince Edward Island and a registered counselling therapist at Your Life Design.
Lori is a Canadian Certified Counsellor and a nationally certified Solution Focused Brief Therapist with CCPC Global. She also has a certificate in SolutionFocused Brief Therapy through OISE at University of Toronto. She is currently pursuing her Advanced Certificate in Couple and Family Therapy at the University of Guelph and has a Master of Science degree from the University of West Alabama, and a Master of Education from the University of Prince Edward Island. Lori specializes in working with children and their parents and works with youth, teenagers, couples, and families.
Lori has written for several online and print publications, including the Canadian Huffington Post, Edutopia, and the Yummy Mummy Club . She also contributes to PEI Living Magazine and PEI's Red Magazine . She co-edited Inside the Classroom: Stories of Curriculum and Creativity with Dr. Sean Wiebe. Reg Goes Swimming is her first children's book. She lives in Mill River East with her husband, Brian Gard, and their four children.
The Tales for Big Feelings series is illustrated by Emma Martin. Emma is an illustrator, fine artist, and appreciator of all things whimsical. When she's not making art, you can find her working as a barista at a local coffee shop, finessing her latte art skills.

“In this delightful book, Lori Gard recounts the all too familiar story of emotional dysregulation. While providing tools for the young, Lori provides a map for caregivers looking to help their child develop control over their emotions through loving attunement. Truly a must-have for anyone interested in raising resilient children."Mark Fernandes, M.Sc., RP, RMFT, CSFT: Clinical Supervisor of a Community Children's Mental Health Agency, former instructor and supervisor in the SFBT Certificate Program, University of Toronto