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Educators

Introduction:
In this book, When the Going Gets Tough, diverse children express what they have learned to do when feeling emotions such as unhappy, sad, or stressed. Each child reveals a plan of action he or she uses to lift the negative feeling. There are two main purposes for this book. First, to provide children with research based reset strategies and practice in creating their own happiness. That is the goal! Second, to provide adults with the appropriate dialogue to help children process and work through their emotions.

In this video, Dr. Erin Peterson introduces her new book, “When the Going Gets Tough”and discusses the specific benefits of this book for all educators and students.

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Purchase Recommendation:

Dr. Peterson created two versions of this book with specific audiences in mind. Please see the main page related to both versions in order to choose which one is best for you and your profession. Both versions can greatly serve this population of people (see below for explanation).

 

Extended Version: When the Going Gets Tough: With an Interactive Guide

For educators, the extended version would not only provide the story and discussion prompts, but various emotional management resources related to the book to utilize with children.

 

Condensed Version: When the Going Gets Tough
For children, the condensed version would provide the story and discussion prompts, but would not include the additional resources in the front and back. This would make it easy for children to focus solely on the story and refer back to when needed.

 

Note: Ideally, both versions would be present in a setting in order to continually reinforce the book concepts for all involved!


Corresponding Reset Strategy Practice:

A goal of Dr. Peterson, when writing this book, was to create a correlating space/toolbox where children could spend time practicing the reset strategies that are referenced in the book. In this book, When the Going Gets Tough, there are nine different reset strategies that are referenced and practiced by individual characters. The idea would be that a child wanting/needing to practice emotional management, would either read this book for the first time, or simply go back and reference the strategy they would like to practice. The book can be read either by an adult or the child/children, depending on the age and circumstance. Once the child has identified which specific strategy they would like to practice in order to reset their emotions, they would refer to that corresponding drawer or box for materials to help them practice.


For example, a child choosing to practice Reset Strategy #5: Exercise and Fresh Air, would first reference those two pages in the book, and then choose materials from the corresponding drawer or box related to getting some exercise and possibly fresh air as well. Materials may include things such as exercise dice, an exercise mat, yoga cards, chalk, or a nature scavenger hunt!

Below are four different examples, depending on the space and situation:

1. Room

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3. Rolling Cart

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2. Shelves

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4. Tool Box

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Educator's Testimonies:

As an elementary principal, I am proud to recommend this book as a valued addition to every school classroom and library. This beautifully crafted children’s book is a powerful tool for helping young readers to recognize and understand their emotions. Through its relatable characters and engaging examples, children can see themselves on every page. Each character offers practical reset strategies, providing children with positive examples of how to navigate their feelings. The kid-friendly examples and relatable storytelling make complex emotions accessible and understandable for young learners. The prompts on each page make each page interactive, sparking meaningful discussions and encouraging deeper reflection. This book doesn’t just teach; it fosters an environment where kids can openly talk about their emotions and learn from them.
 

This book is an inspiring reminder that even when the going gets tough, choosing happiness is always an option. It’s a must-have resource for any parent, educator, medical provider or therapist who is dedicated to nurturing emotionally intelligent and resilient children.


Ali Parkinson
Elementary Principal

In a world where our future teachers need to be prepared for much more than teaching content to their students, this book provides the necessary tools, strategies, and conversation starters to support students from all backgrounds. Everything from relatable characters to real-life scenarios to questions that will get students thinking and talking makes this book a “must read” for students and teachers in today’s classrooms.


Dr. Sonja Brandt
Professor of Higher education (Teaching and Learning)

As both a parent and an educator, fostering emotional intelligence in children and teachers is critical. ‘When the Going Gets Tough’ is a true gem—it equips children (and their teachers) with practical strategies to navigate complex emotions and find their happiness. This beautifully written and illustrated book not only captured my children’s imaginations, but also sparked meaningful conversations about handling difficult emotions. A must-have for every home and classroom library!


Dr. Brittany Hagen
Parent
Professor of Higher education (Teacher Education)

How do we as adults support children as they face new emotional experiences every day? In this engaging and inspiring book, Dr. Peterson paves the way for us to teach children about their emotional lives. She artfully uses the interactive read aloud method to support adults as they read the book with children. Throughout the book she integrates meaningful interaction prompts to invite before, during and after reading discussion. Children get to engage with characters in the book by naming, validating and resetting negative emotions. Because children can see themselves in Dr. Peterson’s resilient characters, they make personal connections to them. This
supports them as they “try out” resetting their own emotions as they encounter new experiences daily. The joyful characters set the tone for turning frowns into smiles but not by “stuffing” emotions. Rather, children learn to intentionally select strategies from a toolbox and to take charge of their emotional lives in developmentally appropriate ways.


Dr. Shelby Barrentine
Professor Emerita
Interactive Read aloud Specialist

A book like “When the Going Gets Tough” is exactly what our children need, offering them tools to find their joy amidst life’s challenges. This interactive read-aloud, complete with guiding questions for the teacher or parent, provides simple effective strategies that empower young readers to regulate their emotions and find their happy. It’s an invaluable resource that every educator and parent should have in their toolkit.


Jana Makovsky
Elementary Education Teacher and Instructional Coach

As an elementary school teacher, I believe this book is a game-changer for educators and children alike. It equips adults with tools to help kids handle tough moments and embrace their emotions. By teaching kids it’s okay to feel deeply and offering practical “reset strategies,” it provides both teachers and students with the skills to navigate big emotions. The diverse characters allow kids to feel represented, and its colorful, engaging illustrations will draw readers of all ages in! Teaching children to navigate difficulties with confidence ensures they grow into resilient and emotionally healthy humans. This book is a must-have for every classroom and anyone working with children.


Kathleen Pedersen
Elementary Education Teacher and Reading Specialist

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© 2025 by Dr. Erin Peterson

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