Member Reviews

This is an amazing book for Children to learn on building their own survival techniques. Often times we faced the problems, even as an adult, and got stuck, so how does young kids got know what to do? That's all this book is guiding on.

Charlie is a puppy who wants to become a rescue dog because he was once saved by one. Ever since, it wanted to be one of those rescue dogs and save lives. Charlie was on the track to win the certification test to get Rescue Dog title. Hazel, a little squirrel went along with Charlie on the snow track. It got all the problems but there was a guiding Eagle to let them learn the ways that will help them as an instructions to make their way clear.

Every single such instruction is actually something we ought to keep in our minds :-

👃🏻Breathe - Get relax with deep breathing and save breathes for long run.

🧠Brainstorm - Every problem has a solution, we only have to consider all the possibilities to think on.

🦾I can do it! - Make yourself always believe that you can do it and find way with brainstorming on how to do it. Always be positive about outcomes.

🗝Chunk it - Break down your problems into smaller ones to keep track and resolve easier way.

🤝🏻Ask for help - No shame or shyness in asking for help. We all are social animals and required each-other's hand to walk a better way. So, ask for help and always make yourself ready to help others too, in time of any hurdle.

😴Recharge - Do not run non-stop to chase dreams, always take rest, think on further steps and the move ahead. Both our body and mind need rest and that recharging helps us to stay strong all through out mission.

For me it is 5.0/5.0 in terms of content, inspiration, guidance and colorful illustrations too.

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An adorable book with a wonderful message. The techniques offered to help create resilience in this book are top notice and easy enough to grasp for an early school age child.

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Direct message that lacks flair and style. Strong character motivation and character growth. Choppy dialogue, slow pacing, and unmemorable characters. Well-executed acts of resilience and adaptability. Hollow illustrations that feel static and not dynamic. Relaxing colours and shading give a calming mood. Simple plot glides along with a variety of emotions. Inspires curiosity in how rescue dogs are trained and attain the profession. Recommended for those searching for a no-nonsense story with straightforward morals. Overall, an average read. "Now I want to be a Rescue Dog so I can save lives too!"

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Charlie wants to get his certification to become an official rescue dog, but in order to do so he must first complete his training. With his friends by his side, he learns strategies to overcome the hurdles and challenges he is faced with in order to achieve his goal.

A great book for children to gain courage, self-confidence and resilience and to encourage them to find solutions to the challenges and problems they face.

The illustrations by Dale Crawford are delightful and represent the story perfectly.

Thank you to the National Center for Youth Issues and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this picture book in exchange for an honest review.

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I love Julia Cook. Her books are SO fantastic at teaching kids about all sorts of skills that they may not ever learn without her books. They can be a bit corny but they are corny in a very enjoyable and ridiculous way that even kids (at least at the elementary level) can relate to.

The "bounce back superpowers" are so perfect for students. This is a great companion to Bubble Gum Brain and is something that every teacher could use in their classroom.

I will have to add this to the library and share the title with our counselor as well.

Thank you Net Galley and National Center for Youth Issues for the eARC!

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Very cute book I enjoyed reading it with my son. I would recommend this book for other parents to read with thier kids

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At first glance I Got This! seems like another cute, fluffy book about building self-confidence but it goes deeper than that. The message is that by using certain skills -problem solving, thinking and staying calm - a child can achieve a goal by using their "bounce back superpowers".
While I appreciate the co-author's collective expertise in counseling and child psychology, I feel the message was muddled by a story that was a bit too long and at times, written with dialogue that was hard to follow. Bold type was used to denote a change in who was speaking but I can see where that could go right over the head of a younger audience.

I did not enjoy the writing here. I feel the wordy eagle mentor character bogged the story down. I'm not sure what the purpose of the squirrel character was other than to add an appropriately positive affirmation or "me too! totally!" in response to something the dog character said. I was expecting a snappier dialogue, some memorable rhymes or maybe a catchy acronym to help a child remember to "breathe, think, break problems down into manageable chunks, and recharge" but the story didn't include those things.
More importantly, my child did not enjoy this either. The book is being marketed as suitable for ages 5-12, but my 6 year old lost interest before we even got to the midpoint of the book. An older child might appreciate this more, but in our case I can tell you that my particular 12 year old wouldn't want to sit down with a picture book for any reason other than being paid to read to a child they're babysitting.
A cute cover and illustrations saved this from getting a lower rating from me. I'm sure that this book has an intended audience who will benefit from reading it but it's just not for me or my family.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the digital copy of this book to me for review.

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What a gem! As a mom of littles, I absolutely adored the themes taught throughout this book, The illustrations were beautiful and added great value to the storyline. I loved that main characters were animals and it would be easy for my children to follow. I would highly recommend this book to any family with small children.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

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‘I Got This!’ is a delightful and empowering book that focuses on resilience and the importance of bouncing back when life throws challenges your way. The story is perfect for young readers, offering both entertainment and valuable lessons that can help shape their approach to difficult situations. The narrative is crafted in a way that is engaging for children, making it an excellent resource for parents and educators alike.

Plot: ★★★★★
The plot is well-developed and perfectly suited for its intended audience. It follows Charlie, a young and determined character, who faces a series of setbacks but learns to pick himself up and keep trying. The story is not only engaging but also delivers a powerful message about perseverance and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, even when things don’t go as planned. The plot structure is simple yet effective, making it easy for children to grasp the concept of resilience.

Character: ★★★★★
Charlie is an adorable and relatable character that children will instantly connect with. His experiences mirror the everyday struggles that young readers might face, such as frustration when things don’t go as expected. Despite the challenges, Charlie’s optimism and determination shine through, making him a fantastic role model. His character is well-rounded and conveys the message that it’s okay to stumble, as long as you keep moving forward.

Illustrations: ★★★★★
The illustrations are vibrant and full of life, perfectly complementing the story’s theme. Each page is filled with colourful and expressive artwork that captures the emotions and actions of the characters. The illustrations not only enhance the narrative but also help to hold the attention of young readers, making the book a visual delight. The attention to detail in the drawings adds depth to the story, making it even more enjoyable.

Engagement: ★★★★★
‘I Got This!’ excels in keeping readers engaged from start to finish. The combination of a relatable story, charming characters, and lively illustrations ensures that children will remain interested throughout the book. The pacing is just right, with enough action and emotion to keep kids hooked, while the clear and concise language makes it easy for them to follow along. The interactive elements, such as moments that encourage readers to think about how they would handle similar situations, add an extra layer of engagement.

Readability: ★★★★★
The book is written in simple yet effective language that is perfect for young readers. The text is clear, concise, and easy to understand, making it accessible to children who are just beginning to read on their own. The dialogue is natural and flows smoothly, while the narrative voice is warm and encouraging. The readability of this book makes it a great choice for both independent reading and read-aloud sessions.

Enjoyment: ★★★★★
This is a truly enjoyable read that children will want to come back to again and again. The combination of a heartwarming story, lovable characters, and beautiful illustrations makes ‘I Got This!’ a book that brings joy while imparting important life lessons. It’s the kind of story that leaves a lasting impression, encouraging children to believe in themselves and to keep going, no matter what challenges they face.


‘I Got This!’ is an outstanding book that successfully teaches children about resilience and positivity in a fun and engaging way. With its relatable storyline, endearing characters, and captivating illustrations, it’s a must-have addition to any child’s bookshelf. This book is not just a story; it’s a tool for helping kids develop the confidence and determination they need to overcome obstacles in their lives. Whether used at home or in a classroom, ‘I Got This!’ is sure to be a favourite among young readers.

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I own quite a collection of Julia Cook books and was excited to see she had a new title out! Her books are always an awesome resource for elementary aged kiddos and are easily used in the classroom.

I Got This! helps teach kids how to address and overcome challenges by remembering to stop and breathe (to regulate) and then brainstorm to come up with an achievable plan for tackling the problem. I read this with my 5 year old and he was repeating the catch phrase by the end. The illustrations kept him interested and he was obsessed with Charlie and Hazel.

Thanks to National Center for Youth Issues and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

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This is a sweet story about a rescue dog in training learning to overcome challenges by breathing, asking for help, and brainstorming. My kids enjoyed this but I felt it was a little too complicated for my three year old and it didn’t hold my six year olds attention as well as other similar stories like “Hattie Harmony, Worry Detective.” I love books that help teach kids tools they can use in times of stress, but this might be better suited for slightly older kids. Based on the cover, I was expecting it to have more information about what it was like to be a rescue dog and there wasn’t much about that. That all being said, my daughter loved it and said “I liked when they helped each other. It was so much fun. I liked how they asked nicely for help. I think I can use superpowers too!”

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I received this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

Tis book is a great teaching tool on how to make it through hard things and times. With the bounce back superpowers we all have in us when we learn how to access them. Charlie the little dog is adorable and Hazel is a cute companion but the eagle is the star teaching how to overcome the hard. I will be adding this book to my collection.

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I'm always on the hunt for a children's book to share with others that has a powerful message. I Got This! by Julia Cook and Michele Borba is one that I will definitely buy for others to read.

Let's start with the cute illustrations. They are done well and are definitely appealing to children, especially with the wintry backdrop. I enjoyed the steps to overcome your problems, and teaching kids to breathe when they are feeling anxiety. It was told in a way that children will understand. I do think it would be a better story for 5 year olds and up. I'm not sure anyone younger would understand, although they would still enjoy the basics and the illustrations.

It's important for kids to learn about resilience, and the steps they can take to achieve something that might be difficult to them. This book is a great starting point for those conversations.

I gave this book five out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, National Center For Youth Issues, and Cook and Borba for my free copy. This is my honest review.

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Such a cute can-do book about problem solving and self confidence. This is not only a good story, but as someone who has worked with kids, this is a great skill development opportunity for therapists, counselors, teachers and parents.

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I appreciated the easy to follow steps for kids as they work to overcome problems. I thought it was presented well with great illustrations and characters. I did find that it was hard to follow who was speaking most of the time. I also wish that the steps flowed into a story better. The transitions from one step to the next sometimes felt abrupt. Overall I did like the way this information was presented in a kid-friendly way.

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This is such a cute story. Through the puppy's journey, children learn key skills to become resilient in life when challenges arise. The illustrations are a beautiful wintery kind to daydream too.

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I’ll highly recommend this book as an SEL title for our elementary students. It was such a great book for encouraging perseverence.

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I loved this book!

The story was well written, it had a lovely flow and it was easy to follow.

The illustrations in the book were great and they really brought the story to life.

I liked the determination shown and the way that the characters worked together.

It is 4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon - very highly recommended!

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Very cute! Always looking for great dog books for kids for our Berner-inspired bookstore. Easy to understand strategies for kids.

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My children struggle with their inner voice and this book, with its adorable illustrations and strong message is just what they need to hear (over and over!). I love the thought-out structure of how to not give up rather than just saying "don't give up". The words on the images (like the feathers ) were a creative way of structuring key points. This is definitely a book we will reread! Thanks for sharing!

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