Happily Ever Resilient

This book takes well known fairy tales to help children grow and deepen their resilience. Brilliantly crafted, here's a treasure trove of fun and simple activities, such as play, the arts, movement, and storytelling to make a real difference in children's lives. 

 --Jerry Moe, MA, Emeritus National Director of Children's Programs, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation 

With a woosh of her wand and a trail of glitter, Stephanie Goloway transforms the classic fairy tales all children have grown up hearing into tools for learning and emotional support. Using both research and whimsy, the author shows educators how to make these well-loved stories resources for helping young children recover from trauma, amass the protective factors that lead to healthy development, and become shining examples of the resilience that all children need. Here’s the magic you’ve been looking for. 

--Laura J. Colker, EdD, co-author of Trauma & Young Children: Teaching Strategies to Support & Empower; Making Lemonade: Teaching Young Children to Think Optimistically; and The Creative Curriculum for Preschool. 

Happily Ever Resilient is a delightful exploration of the connections between science and storytelling. Goloway beautifully connects our scientific understanding of resilience to the messages embedded in classic fairy tales. The book provides creative, actionable ways for early childhood care providers to use these stories to foster the elements of resilience in young children. Goloway’s approach acknowledges the ever-increasing curricular demands placed on early childhood care providers, and gives educators a myriad of ways to consider infusing these stories into various elements of their practice. Goloway’s passion for the power of fairy tales inspires readers to become resilient heroes and to creatively share these tales to strengthen resilience in the next generation. 

--Sara Langworthy, PhD, Author of Bridging the Relationship Gap: Connecting with Children Facing Adversity

Happily Ever Resilient reminds educators of the importance of fairy tales and how these fairy tales teach important life lessons. Each chapter of the book provides essential information on building caring and positive interactions that help children develop resilience. However, my favorite parts of the book are the practical resources, activities, and ideas that educators of any age or grade level can utilize to build a program's curriculum. This book brings back the magic of childhood. Let the magic begin! 

--Debra L. Lawrence, President, American Association for Promoting the Child's Right to Play; Associate Professor, Delaware County Community College 

Sometimes a book comes along that from the moment you lay eyes on it makes your heart flutter. Happy Ever Resilient is one such treat. Exploring fairytales, resilience, and the work of Vivian Gussin Paley, it offers a blueprint on how to get the most out of these powerful components in your classroom. The book is rich in practical ideas alongside an abundance of information on why fairytales connect with us at such a visceral level. Follow the breadcrumbs and you will uncover the magic. 

--Trisha Lee, founder and artistic director, MakeBelieve Arts and Helicopter Stories 

What a creative but practical book for early childhood educators! Goloway not only examines the ways trauma affects young children but presents developmentally appropriate approaches to promote resilience into child-centered, literacy-rich curricula through fairy tales and storytelling. Goloway also offers activities that support children to act on their ideas, persist in problem-solving, and supports their agency in activities. Other supporting information and additional resources are presented. It is a timely book! 

--Dr. Don Yarosz, Department of Early Childhood Education, Walden University

Here is a wonderful argument and multiple examples of how traditional stories, fairy tales (as in this book), myths, and folklore provide road maps for emotional and intellectual development. In Happily Ever Resilient, Stephanie Goloway gives teachers a detailed template of activities to release the power of story time. While directed at early childhood educators, Goloway’s explanations and examples will provide inspiration to any adult for building their own imaginative and educational interactions harnessing the power of play. Particularly in these very stress-filled times, this book reaffirms how the old stories become new again as each child sets off on their own life journey, meeting monsters, coming to crossroads, and summoning the magic powers of resilience. 

--Gerald Fierst, author and storyteller

In Happily Ever Resilient, Stephanie Goloway masterfully connects the hopeful, healing message of resilience with storytelling. She beautifully shows how stories that engage children’s imaginations can also provide a foundation to strengthen key protective factors that promote children’s resilience. Teachers who want to better understand how the ordinary magic of resilience can come alive in the classroom should start by reading this important new resource. 

--Susan Damico, MA, Director, Devereux Center for Resilient Children