These are a collection of stellar reviews & testimonials from Counselors, Educators, Parents, and Speakers who love our books and products. The support we have received is overwhelming!
Counselors
“The Stellar Way is an exceptional resource that has evolved through years of experience. The characters are created with specific therapeutic messages and with much love by Tina Donovan.
A brilliant way to address and transform challenging behavior while increasing emotional IQ and social competency skills. Its creative, robust design is an effective resource for professional counselors in any environment. This book is a must have for every counselor’s practice.”
–Dr. Patrice Moulton, psychologist, licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, addiction therapist, author, Fulbright specialist
“Anger and frustration can be very difficult emotions for children to understand and manage. Tina Donovan’s The Stellar Way is a powerful book that provides children with the coping skills that allow them to verbalize their thoughts and feelings and learn new ways to cope with problems they face. A must-read book for both educators and parents that will encourage children to think about the role emotions play in the choices they make and to help them understand that having a winning attitude can help through difficult situations.”
-Di Riseborough – Registered Psychotherapist; Author of Forgiveness: How to let go when it still hurts, Featured on Oprah Winfrey Network
“I discovered that The Stellar Way has allowed dialogue to take place that she wouldn’t otherwise have gleaned. I have found it to be an excellent tool to use with her clients and highly recommend!”
-Becky Bergert, MS, LPC in Kennesaw, Georgia
“I recently received my copy of The Stellar Way: Discovering the Star Within and I LOVE IT! This is perfect for children. It promotes a learning culture by empowering and encouraging children to be clever and imaginative when confronted with obstacles, to learn how to solve their own problems, and to hold themselves accountable for their own results. A definite and apparent strength is that it effectively communicates expectations, has embedded task-oriented goals and enforces positive growth through trial and error. It truly excels in teaching children how to turn problems into opportunities by putting plans into actions and seeking creative alternatives and solutions. EXCELLENT!”
-Flora Igah, Psy.D.
“I used The Stellar Way with my youth group at church and found the exercises to be an excellent tool to use.”
-Tjuana J. Evans, MS
Teachers
“I think you have come up with an excellent program. The Stellar Way held my children’s interest and I feel they learned from the story and activities. I’m glad we got to be a test school for you.”
-Ms. Taylor, second grade teacher, Eastmont Elementary
“As an educator, I’m seeing an alarming increase in behavioral issues from children who don’t know how to take responsibility for their own feelings and reactions to anger. This desperately needed intervention for students is presented in an exceptionally unique way by Tina Donovan.”
-Laura Bentley, certified teacher, 21 years
“I introduced “The Stellar Way” to my fourth graders several years ago while the book was still in its beginning stages of development. My classroom students were very receptive to the story line and exhibited genuine empathy, especially toward the main character. Student questions were point-on and we had some marvelous group discussions. What a charming book that touches “all” of our lives, young and old. I highly recommend it!”
-Mr. Del Faulkner
“The Stellar Way: Discovering the star within is children’s literature, written by Tina Donovan and illustrated by James Koenig, but adults, too, can benefit by taking the two-page inventory, my favorite two pages, especially if anger inhibits their lives. To share this work with a child as a parent, educator, or counselor will provide a window for discussion. I highly recommend.”
-Claudia Matherly Stolz, Ph.D.
“I am an elementary teacher and highly recommend this book. It has a very positive message for kids who are dealing with anger. It teaches kids the importance of staying positive. The artwork is very colorful and captures the feelings of Kelly the main character. Great story with a positive message!”
-Amanda H.
Parents
“My daughter loves this book! Great story and amazing illustrations!”
-Sarah Curtis
“I admit it! I’m an adult with grown children but I read it. So happy I did. It’s a beautiful but powerful story that will open everyone’s heart, young or old. Whether you are young or a child at heart, we all need to learn how to master our emotions and this is a great first step.”
-Mrs. Tammy M. Attama
“My seven-year-old liked that the story was about a competition and that it had a good ending. I liked that he was engaged with the story so understood the lesson.”
-Elle Zellaney
“This book is truly amazing, so inspirational, encouraging, and positive for children, teens, and adults too!! Beautifully illustrated and easy to understand and very uplifting. Tina Donovan has reached the STARS with this one!!!!”
-Sylvia Bertke
“A simple message delivered in an easy to understand “stellar” way. This book needs to be in every child’s library of books. It’s wonderful, and the illustrations…WOW!”
-Suzy Plattenburg
“Tina has taken life experiences and shares them as life lessons in this eloquently written, beautifully illustrated book. We can all see ourselves in one way or another in The Stellar Way. This book will reach many hearts.”
-Diane H.
Librarian
“Tina Donovan’s, “The Stellar Way” is a fantastic resource for those who wish to help the children in their lives let go of anger and find their inner star.”
-Dorri Hegyi, Children’s Librarian
Inspirational Speakers – Keynote Speakers – Authors
“As a speaker and author who encourages others to be the ‘star’ of their own lives, I highly recommend this book with a similar message to children.”
-Curtis Zimmerman, best-selling author of Life at Performance Level
“What a fabulous, relatable book for children. It’s a book that heals and encourages with its message offered in a way kids can hear and adults can appreciate. Bravo!”
-Jody Doty, Author of Give Me Crayons to Color My World
“An empowering story for children (and adults) to move from victimhood and feeling helpless and powerless to allowing the inner strength and inner light shine through. Very inspiring on one hand and a manual of how to make a shift, on the other. A skillful tool for children how to shift an attitude, wrapped in a wonderful story.”
-Monika Laschkolnig
“The Stellar Way is a wonderfully written book that will resonate with children of all ages. The artwork is visually striking and the story’s message is beneficial. Students, teachers, counselors, and parents will use this book again and again!”
-Sandra Byrd Lawson, Author of chapter books: Mila Denton’s Worst Week Ever! Mila Denton Is an April Fool
Others
“The Stellar Way is an engaging book that teaches children that your attitude makes all the difference in whether your life is happy and “shining bright as a star” or frustrated and gloomy because you let anger control you. The story is very lighthearted, but the message is clear. I think that this book will be an excellent teaching tool for parents, teachers, and counselors to use to help children to learn that they are responsible for their own attitudes in dealing with the things that they experience in life. Children will enjoy James Koenig’s illustrations as they follow along with Kelly’s journey of learning how to shine like a star.”
-Gwen F.
“This book is a treasure. The “heart” of this story needs to be shared with children all over the world and probably a lot of adults as well. Anger in and of itself is not the problem. It’s learning how to deal with that anger that is the key. Tina Donovan’s book helps do that through the use of spectacular characters and a wonderful world brought to life by an extraordinary illustrator. This book should be in every household!”
-Amazon Customer
“A MESSAGE WE ALL CAN USE … let go of the chip on our shoulders in order to SHINE. What a wonderful way to get the point home and encourage children not to compare themselves to others, but to be their own “stellar” selves. I think it’s such a wonderful teaching tool that I recommended this book to all of the grade school teachers I know. This is sure to become a favorite of all the children you know. I also want to point out that the illustrations make it even more magical.”
-Amazon Customer
Dove Review
“In today’s culture, so much emphasis is put on fame and fortune, and at times it can seem like very little is put on integrity and character. Unfortunately, a lot of children have picked up the idea that being great doesn’t have to include a great attitude. Enter Sparky, a much-needed mascot for emotional development, and The Stellar Way, a fantastic, wonder-filled story that will inspire children to overcome personal challenges and shine brightly.
A delightfully fun, creative, and adventurous tale, The Stellar Way is a unique way to teach children valuable lessons for emotional growth and development. Beautifully illustrated by James Koenig, The Stellar Way is enchanting, engaging, and beautifully written. Tina Donovan sets out to create a character that will fulfill a void seriously lacking in children’s literature – and nails it. Not only can children be entertained and delighted by the story, they can also be challenged and guided in how to better handle their developing emotions and feelings. The Stellar Way is a win-win for parents, children, and educators.
We are pleased to award The Stellar Way the Dove Seal of Approval for All Ages.”