“Theo’s Deliciously Different Dumplings” is Dr. Donna Housman’s second book in the book series, The ECSELent Adventures of Hemmy and Shemmy, for children ages from 3 through 8. This book is intended to show children that everyone is different in some way and difference is a part of life. Everyone has things that make them unique—be it hair, body shape, temperament, beliefs or backgrounds, and more. “Theo’s Deliciously Different Dumplings” was featured in The Children’s Book Council’s December 2022 Hot Off the Press reading list and received the 2023 Eric Hoffer Finalist Book Award.
Managing big emotions is fundamental to learning and thriving. In this age-appropriate book, children can see Theo's strong emotions related to teasing from a classmate, but with the help of family and friends, both Theo and the classmate learn to regulate their emotions and behaviors.
“Theo’s Deliciously Different Dumplings” contains tips for readers when talking about differences with young children and over 20 guiding questions for emotional learning.
“Theo’s Deliciously Different Dumplings” is the second book in the book series The ECSELent Adventures of Hemmy and Shemmy, and it was spotlighted by Foreword Reviews as a book they recommend.
Psychologist – Early Childhood Education
Dr. Donna Housman has spent her professional career in the world of early childhood development and education. Believing that it is far easier to prevent than repair, Dr. Housman founded Housman Institute, along with its lab school and early childhood development center, based on emotional foundations of learning and cognition and informed by research in neuroscience, child development, and early education. Seizing the opportunity to inform the architecture of the brain in the earliest years, her Emotional, Cognitive, and Social Early Learning (ECSEL) approach promotes healthy brain development and a positive sense of self by fostering the building blocks of emotional intelligence starting from birth.
Dr. Housman has trained thousands of early childhood educators, children, and families in her ECSEL approach while being a consistent source of vital counsel and guidance for families and educators on young children’s social and emotional development.
