Children Are The Future by Judith Shaw

If the saying “Children are the future” is true, then it must also hold true that exposing children to a worldview which supports a loving world is important. Authors, illustrators, animators, musicians, and film and tv producers are hard at work creating stories that nurture children’s capacity to follow their dreams, to share, to resolve conflict peacefully, and to love and accept themselves and others. 

The newly released book, Soul Primer for Kids by Cate Schultz with Karen Kofowicz Mason and Sophia Mason is a beautiful addition to this endeavor. It helps children understand how they can create a world of peace and harmony for all. It’s a deeply transformative system — rewritten and redesigned from Schultz’s first book, Soul Primer, Building Blocks for the Soul — into the language of children. 

In both books the concepts are presented in the format of an alphabet book.  A is for abundance; B is for beauty; C is for creativity and so on throughout the whole alphabet. Unlike a traditional children’s alphabet book whose purpose is simply to teach the alphabet as the first step toward reading, “Soul Primer for Kids” uses the alphabet to guide children in understanding important concepts as the first step toward living a soulful life. The book is filled with wise words, fun and thoughtful activities, engaging photographs and graphics, and paintings from the original Soul Primer book by Susan Cohen Thompson, Jack Gunter and me, Judith Shaw

Children, like busy bees, tirelessly explore the world through myriad avenues of learning. Soul Primer for Kids features abundant interactive activities accompanying each concept. These encourage hands-on exploration and interaction that aid in the internalization and learning process. 

Each concept follows the format of stating it in simple terms on the left page with either a graphic, photograph or painting on the facing page to highlight the concept visually.  Then four pages of activities follow before moving on to the next letter and its concept. 

Fearlessness

I was so pleased to see that in the book “F is for Fearlessness,” as fear is the driving force creating so many of our world’s problems. It starts like this — “F is for fearlessness. Is Fearlessness Possible? Fears are a part of life, but when we understand them, they lose their power. “ Check out the facing page with the energizing photos of kids overcoming their fears. 

The activity pages following the presentation of “F is for Fearlessness” delve into identifying fears as real or imaginary, how to face your fears and finally two journal pages where a fear can be dated, written down and the question “What did you do?” answered. 

Nature

“N is for Nature” certainly speaks to my heart. Why does Nature matter? Soul Primer for Kids explains that “Nature is our greatest gift, and the key to our survival.”  Check out the image on N’s facing page. It’s an image of my painting of Rabbit. Being a lifelong tree-hugger and nature lover, I am so honored that one of my images was chosen for the “N is for Nature” section.

The four pages that follow are filled with prompts to help kids identify the things that we love and use which come from nature, tips on how to connect with nature and creative projects such as space for writing a poem and a page for nature drawings or doodles. 

Service

“S is for Service” is a wonderful call to action to take small steps that benefit others. The explanation of the concept reads — “Why should I do service? We benefit, and the world benefits, when we do service for others.” This painting by Susan Cohen Thompson is a great companion to the concept.

The activity pages which follow present examples of young people who have made a big impact with small steps of service, suggestions of how a child can give service, coming up with and saving service ideas, and space to write down one’s own ideas about how to be of service. 

Vulnerability

Moving toward the end of the alphabet one discovers that — “V is for Vulnerability. What does is mean to be vulnerable? It means to be the real you!”  The facing page is graced with a beautiful painting by Jack Gunter and words of wisdom from Brené Brown, “Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.”

The activity pages follow with questions about vulnerability to ponder and write about and worksheets that aide in understanding yourself better and recognizing your own vulnerabilities. 

This book provides parents with a wonderful tool to help children understand difficult concepts like empathy, identity, meditation, openness, and presence, to name a few. Soul Primer for Kids serves as a clarion call, urging parents to work together with their children to create a more loving and balanced world. It provides valuable resources for parents seeking to instill these crucial values and principles in their children’s lives.

Go to Cate’s website to view more info and to purchase the book.  Click here

Discover Judith’s Celtic Goddess Oracle Deck  Click Here.
Also available — Animal Wisdom Oracle Deck  Click Here.
Judith’s first illustrated book— Elena and the Reindeer Goddess, a modern fairytale, is now available – Click Here.

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Author: Judith Shaw

Judith Shaw, a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute, has been interested in myth, culture and mystical studies all her life. Not long after graduating from SFAI, while living in Greece, Judith began exploring the Goddess in her art. She continues to be inspired by the Goddess in all of her manifestations, which of course includes the flora and fauna of our beautiful Earth. Judith has exhibited her paintings in New York, San Francisco, Mytilene Greece, Athens Greece, New Orleans, Santa Fe NM, Taos NM, Albuquerque NM, Houston TX and Providence RI. She has published two oracle decks - Celtic Goddess Oracle and Animal Wisdom Oracle and is hard at work on an illustrated fairytale - Elena and the Reindeer Goddess.

33 thoughts on “Children Are The Future by Judith Shaw”

    3. Hi Esther,

      Thanks for your kind reply regarding my newest book, Soul Primer for Kids.

      I do want to let everyone know that, due to the first pre-order of 100 selling out so quickly, I am currently awaiting the next order, which should arrive within a week or so.

      Please email me at catejschultz@gmail.com if you would like to reserve a copy or copies. I am doing direct orders for the time being while I determine the best source for producing these little beauties at the quality level I expect.

      With big love, Cate

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    2. Hi Laurie,

      I apologize for the link confusion. The first hundred sold out so quickly, I was taken by surprise. I had to step back a moment while the next lot gets through the printers…. However, you can email me at catejschultz@gmail.com to reserve your copy. Thank you for your patience, while this new creation gets its legs!

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    2. Thank you, Elizabeth. Judith’s beautiful art is really the cornerstone of both Soul Primer for Kids and Soul Primer, Building Blocks of the Soul. My intent was to make a book that was as beautiful for the eyes as it was for the spirit, and Judith helped make that happen. My “finding” Judith is a tale filled with reindeer magic and goddess energy. It is one of my favorite stories….

      Btw, for those who are interested, the adults version (with cover by Judith) is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback and also on audible. Here is the link

      Many blessings, Cate

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    2. Hi Carolyn,

      Thank you for the supportive words. I have done a lot of things in my life, and yet I find myself feeling quite sure that this little book is the best thing I have ever done.

      It is my contribution to healing the world, because peace and harmony will only come if we stop raising broken and hurt children. We have to give the children of the world (not just our own children!) the tools to become people who live fulfilled lives and who contribute meaningfully to the world community.

      I am so grateful for all of your support.

      Love, Cate

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  5. “stories that nurture children’s capacity to follow their dreams”” Synchronicity. As I read this the radio is on in the background with an interview with a (female) sports coach. Rather than the traditional method of saying “you got it wrong, you’re not trying hard enough” she suggests “take a breath, get a drink of water, reset, and try again. Every time you try makes a difference.” 

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    1. Judith,

      I love when synchronicity happens like that. If “children are the future” then women are the ones guiding them on their paths. And women are increasingly in positions that allow that movement toward self-realization and a loving, compassionate approach to life.

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      1. Judith and Judith,

        I love your replies. There are so many of us awakening to new ways of interacting as humans and new ways of intentionally raising kids (and young athletes!) to use good self-care and other tools to improve their own life experience and that of those around them. As Deepak Chopra said when he interviewed me – this book can help us reach the critical mass we need to turn the world around.

        I’m in!

        (And I love those synchronicities!)

        Brightly, Cate

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  6. Thanks so much for letting us know about this wonderful book! When you get the correct link, please post it so we all can access ways to purchase it. 

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    2. Hi Beth,

      You can email me directly at catejschultz@gmail.com to reserve your copy (I got caught by surprise at how quickly the first 100 sold out! Next batch is on its way from the printers!!)

      I will also post updates as it becomes available through different outlets….

      Thanks for your kind comments!!

      Warmly, Cate

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    1. Hola! I actually am planning to have it translated into Spanish and French (for starters). My goal is for it to reach all the children of the world.

      Gracias, Cate

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  8. Oh Wow Judith – this book is a jewel – the real thing – now we need parents to start reading it to their children and themselves… Children will have a hard time emulating the wisdom here unless they too are on the wheel…. Thank you so much for sharing – and oh your rabbit picture – oh, I just love this image of the goddess calling all to nature. Blessings.

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    1. When It’s available I am going to recommend it to out local land trust – they have a story walk with crappy cartoon stories – what a relief this contribution would be – the walk is through some pines.

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      1. I am totally disgusted – sent this to stupid lady trust people – one person didn’t;t bother to answer – the other said she thought it wouldn’t;t work – what is wrong with these people??????

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        1. what I meant was that I sent it – stupidly it appears, to land trust people – no go – but when I sent it to other friends I received many accolades . So this made me happy – one of these folks is on the board of a very large land trust…. so overall success.

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          1. Thank you for sending this book out, Sara – by that do you mean you sent the review? I am happy to send books to contacts of any readers that may be moved to use this healing little book in a larger group way.

            The new books are arriving this week! If anyone would like to order a copy, I will offer it to this group at my cost of $25 (it is not cheap to print something this rich and beautiful! I am sure many of you artists and writers understand that!) and will include mailing within the USA.

            Just email me at catejschultz@gmail.com

            Thank you, and Eclipse Blessings to you all!

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    2. ,Thank you, Sara,

      As this book came together, my graphic designer and I began to realize what a gem it was turning out to be. Because of her beautiful contributions, and the “keeping it real” edits from her 11-year-old daughter, I made them both co-authors on the book. Karen (the graphic designer) says the creating of this book has already worked such magic in their family life.

      I view this book as a gift from the universe. As such, it has created a huge desire, in me, to pay it forward – to get the book into every corner of the world. I can see it being taught in schools, and Sunday schools and community centers and high-risk youth facilities.

      I so much appreciate all of your beautiful comments and support. Sara, I love your plan to recommend it to your local land trust to use.

      Big hugs!

      Cate

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      1. I think it is a Gift Cate – I will pass it on as soon as info becomes available. I too could imagine it being taught in schools… but most importantly read to ones children… a book like this opens doors….

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      2. I just thought that yesterday — the book should be used in schooL Imagine – classrooms across the country where kids are working on “M is for Meditation” and sitting in quiet meditation to start their days.

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        1. I totally agree!

          Also, in response to the reader that said, “This should be taught in prisons” (referring to the adult book), I have long loved the idea of a group of rough prisoners sitting around in a circle and asking each other, “How did you practice Empathy today?” It makes me smile!

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