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Yesenia's Power to Speak Up (Large Print Edition)
Paperback
Series: Yesenia's Adventures, Book 1
Publisher: Grace & Grit Books
Published: Dec 5 2025
Pages: 46
Weight: 0.29
Height: 0.12 Width: 8.50 Depth: 8.50
Language: English
An empowering social-emotional learning (SEL) picture book in the Yesenia's Adventures series that helps children recognize bullying, understand their emotions, and find the courage to speak up.
Eight-year-old Yesenia-known as Yaya-is a neurodiverse, Afro-Latina girl whose bright ideas and creativity often lift her right onto her toes. She loves collaborating with her friends and expressing herself at school-until a classmate's repeated unkind words slowly dim her confidence and make her feelings feel small inside.
As Yaya tries to make sense of what she's experiencing, she learns an important truth: speaking up is not tattling-it is self-advocacy. With encouragement from her family, support from peers, and the guidance of a trusted teacher, Yaya discovers that courage doesn't always sound bold or loud. Sometimes courage begins quietly, with honesty, emotional awareness, and an adult who listens and responds with care.
Written by Industrial-Organizational Psychologist Dr. JeVona Maniex, Yesenia Speaks Up is a warm, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate story that gently explores teasing, repeated unkindness, and bullying. The book helps children learn how to:
- Identify and name uncomfortable emotions
- Recognize when behavior crosses a line
- Seek help from trusted adults
- Practice self-advocacy and emotional safety
- Rebuild confidence after being hurt
This anti-bullying picture book supports social-emotional learning (SEL) and provides a relatable entry point for conversations about emotional awareness, inclusion, and resilience. It is especially affirming for neurodivergent children, offering representation and validation for kids who may feel deeply, think differently, or struggle to speak up in the moment.
Ideal for classroom read-alouds, small-group discussions, and home conversations, this book supports learning around:
- Bullying prevention and kindness
- Emotional intelligence for children
- Neurodiversity and inclusive friendships
- Safety, boundaries, and trusted adults
- Confidence, courage, and self-expression
- Elementary school teamwork and peer relationships
Featuring full-color, inclusive illustrations, neurodiversity-affirming storytelling, and bonus SEL reflection questions, Yesenia Speaks Up is a valuable resource for families, classroom teachers, school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and SEL-focused programs.
If you are looking for an inclusive children's book that helps kids feel seen, supported, and empowered to use their voice, this heartfelt story from the Yesenia's Adventures series is an essential addition to any home, classroom, or school library.
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