Third-grader Braden is a real character. He loves to be the center of attention. Everyone just LOVES his jokes, witty comments, and immediate reactions. Or at least that's what he thinks. His comic genius, as he sees it, causes his friends to look at him in awe.

But when he is corrected in class for ill-timed jokes, and an impulsive reaction during a game of dodge ball ends up with a classmate in tears, Braden's teachers and parents start working with him on how to control his impulses.

Will the lessons provided by the adults in Braden's life help him see a better way to manage his impulses? Find out in this hilarious story, the first book in the Executive FUNction book series, by author and school counselor Bryan Smith. Tips for parents and educators are included at the end of the storybook to help children to control their impulses.

Braden was so excited for his upcoming championship baseball game! The night before he dreams of that moment... THE moment... the oohs and ahhs of the crowd as he scores the game-winning run! But imagine his surprise when he woke up to pouring rain... and NO GAME! A cancelled game, coupled with some events at school that don't go his way, send Braden on an overreaction tailspin! It seems no matter how small the setback, Braden lets disappointment ruin his mood and his day.

But with Mom's help and the support of a good teacher, Braden learns four steps for flexible thinking, a sure-fire way to meet tough challenges!

Enjoy the second book in Bryan Smith's Executive FUNction book series with K through 5 students and watch their eyes light up as they giggle and make connections to learning how to avoid overreacting by practicing the four steps of flexible thinking. Tips for parents and educators are included at the end of the story to help children learn to manage their emotions.

When he rushes home after an exhausting night of baseball, the last thing Braden wants to hear is Mom and Dad harping about everything he must finish on his to-do list. Of course, they wouldn't be on his case if he actually paid attention and did what he needed to do. From chores at home to questions on a quiz, Braden never checks his work for mistakes or to see if he missed anything. Is there a solution to his sloppiness? Yes... but will Braden be willing to try it? Can he become a master of self-monitoring?

Award-winning author, happy father, and popular school counselor Bryan Smith highlights the importance of slowing down, being accurate, and double-checking one's work in the seventh installment of the Executive FUNction series written for K through 5 students.

Included at the end of the story are tips for parents, caregivers and educators to help children better control their self-monitoring skills.

Spring is in the air! That means great things like warmer weather, playing outside, and baseball!

So, when Blake is distracted by kids in the schoolyard, it’s no wonder why he doesn’t notice his friends working on the ground and knocks over their project! And when things are slow in the outfield and Blake begins to work on a dirt clump beneath his feet, is it a surprise he doesn’t see or hear the warning before a baseball nails him in the elbow? And come on, how is he supposed to keep working on his math test when it’s taking FOREVER, and he just wants to go outside?

Focus. Focus. Focus. That is the advice Blake frequently hears but fails to follow. Although he may be struggling with focus and learning to stay on task, the adults in his life are there to help teach him how to use tools like the work/brain break cycle, squishy eraser, glove tapping, and more!

Fix It with Focus adds another entertaining lesson to the very popular Executive FUNction book series by award-winning author, school counselor, dad and coach Bryan Smith.

Being able to focus is an important life skill and can help set children up for success. Included at the end of the story are tips for parents and educators to help teach children in grades K through 5 how to channel their energy, time-management and self-monitoring skills.

Word problems are more complicated. Reading passages are longer. When he's quizzed on details, they seem to be getting lost in translation. And this is carrying over to home, too!

With help from a caring teacher and plenty of opportunities to practice at home, Braden starts to learn and practice strategies for improving his working memory!

Author and School Counselor Bryan Smith offers another funny but relevant story in the very popular Executive FUNction book series. The included strategies are sure to be useful to all young people (and adults)! Examples model breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable tasks, using mnemonic devices, visualization, and other practical tools for improving working memory!

Great for students in grades K through 6 and the adults in their lives! Included at the end of the story are tips for parents and educators to help children practice and improve working memory.

Braden brings the drama to every minor misunderstanding and annoyance in his life! What was supposed to be a carefree afternoon of go-cart racing and putt-putt golfing quickly turns sour when Braden shouts and pouts about the rules.

When homework interferes with Braden's plans, he overreacts again, and makes things even more difficult on himself. But Mom and Dad are there to teach Braden the best way to react calmly.

Will Braden ever learn to keep his cool in the face of disappointment? Will every discouraging moment send him into an emotional meltdown? Find out what lessons are learned in this fast-paced story about the perils of overreacting and losing self-control. This is Bryan Smith's third title in the Executive FUNction book series. Tips for parents and educators are included at the end to help set children up for success by reacting calmly and appropriately when upset or angry.

Amelia is her name and conquering new challenges is her game!

She's an up-for-any-adventure second-grader who's eager to try new things, provided nothing can go wrong. She takes up skateboarding with gusto and feverishly builds a swing set for her kid brother. But at the first sign of trouble - tumbling off her skateboard and whacking her thumb with a hammer - she's done.

Her confidence shattered, Amelia frets she's a failure. But after a little self-reflection and some loving advice from dear-old Dad, Amelia learns she needs a "gonna get it done" mindset. With her new outlook, she discovers success has many definitions... more than she ever imagined.

From the Without Limits book series, Mindset Matters helps kids learn and grow, and reveals why failing doesn't make them failures. Written for readers in grades K through 5, this storybook also includes tips to help parents and educators foster a healthy "gonna-get-it-done" mindset in every child. A great children's book for anyone wanting to help kids build self-esteem and develop positive emotions.

Blake's baseball team is doing a bake sale fundraiser. He just can't wait for his mom to whip up a batch of her famous chocolate chip cookies! That is, until Mom reminds Blake that it is HIS fundraiser, so he needs to help. Blake has a to-do list that's just too long. How can his parents and teachers expect him to finish his homework, clean his room AND bake cookies for the baseball bake sale? Don't they know there's something urgent he has to do now - like play video games?!

When Mom encourages Blake to follow the 3 Ps - prioritizing, planning and posting a reminder of what needs to be done - he's unimpressed. But as his responsibilities pile up and his deadlines quickly approach, he has to figure out what needs doing now. Can following Mom's advice and using the 3 Ps really make a difference? School counselor and award-winning author Bryan Smith reveals the answer in the relatable story about the power of preparation and planning. It's the eighth story from the author's Executive FUNction picture book series. Tips for parents and educators to help reinforce the message of time-management and self-reliance in children are included.

Amelia has never been one to be timid. She's confident enough to stand up for others and let people know what she thinks. So why is she having a hard time advocating for herself?

When a new seating arrangement lands Amelia next to Billy, a guy who spends all day whining and complaining, Amelia feels trapped. She unloads all her frustrations on her very patient mother. But when Mom starts asking her questions, Amelia quickly realizes that advocating for change - and for herself - requires a lot more than criticizing others and making demands.

Given four simple steps to follow, Amelia starts to hone her ability to self-advocate. In addition to keeping the skill steps practical, author and school counselor Bryan Smith includes valuable lessons about the importance of HOW you approach others and why sometimes the answer may still be no.

This insightful tale is another standout in the popular Without Limits book series, which offers K through 5th grade readers wonderful lessons about character and self-confidence! Tips are included at the end of the story for parents and educators to help teach children the value of self-advocacy.

Braden's brother Blake is ALWAYS losing things and everyone acts like it's his fault. What's the big deal? He's just a kid!

But when Blake's lack of organization leads to a forgotten field trip permission form, and the missing class pet is found dwelling in his desk debris, Blake starts to realize that maybe it's more a problem than he thought. With the help of Blake's teacher and support of his parents, he's taught the steps to getting organized by using his favorite sport: baseball! Will Blake hit a home run by getting organized? Find out in another of Bryan Smith's hilarious tales of teaching life skills for children in grade K through 5, part of the Executive FUNction book series.

Children and parents alike will find this comical, colorful storybook helpful in understanding why everything has its place. Tips for teaching organizational skills are included at the end of the storybook for parents and educators.

Blake wants to sell his brother, Braden, to another family. Savannah wants to fight Mary over an insult. Braden sooo wants to sneak out of class to play kickball.

The characters in this fast-paced story face conundrums that make each of them consider solutions that are inappropriate, ill-advised or irresponsible.

Fortunately, some good old-fashioned fatherly advice coupled with a tried-and-true strategy for solving problems keeps everyone safe and satisfied.

This story introduces and encourages readers to use SODAS (Situation, Options, Disadvantages, Advantages, and Solution) as a way to logically and thoughtfully figure out how to solve any problem, from the silly to the serious.

Award-winning author and school counselor Bryan Smith's teaching style comes through in this insightful tale from his wildly popular Executive FUNction book series. Like the other titles in the series, this book adeptly weaves skill teaching into an amusing storyline to help readers become flexible thinkers, problem solvers and self-managers. Tips for parents and educators are included at the the end of the storybook to help children learn how to become problem-solving pros.

He doesn't understand why he has to clean his room THIS SECOND! And he'd much rather be doing ANYTHING than learning multiplication.

Blake's mom steps in and helps him see that not all tasks are hard or boring - sometimes he can find a fun way to accomplish a chore of he looks hard enough. She also teaches him an important skill that her father taught her when she was young - the steps to taking initiative. Blake learns questions to ask himself about why he doesn't want to do something, and what he needs to do to get started right away and complete the task.

Will Blake be able to take initiative at school and at home?

Time to Get Started! is another engaging title in the Executive FUNction series that inspires children in grades K through 5 to be flexible, organized, and resourceful. True to the author's style, this story offers an entertaining lesson on taking initiative. Tips for parents and educator to help children overcome procrastination are included at the end of the storybook.