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The Fun Thieves
Disappointment looms when fun activities keep getting canceled due to the FUN THIEVERY by different elements in nature. But are these thieves really ALL BAD?
Children will learn to keep positive attitudes when dealing with frustrating situations and remember to look on the BRIGHT SIDE. Relatable situations will help to teach kids to try to find the GOOD in something that seems to be ALL BAD. Learning While You Enjoy
Can you find the dog on each page? Look-and-find pages can help build listening, memory, and vocabulary skills. This can also improve language and vocabulary for younger children as they begin to recognize and find objects in the pictures.
Improve Your Child's Mental Health
According to the CDC, depression and anxiety have been significantly increasing more and more each year. According to the CDC, 1 in 6 children aged 2-8 years has a mental, behavioral or developmental disorder. Tackling your child's ability to work through frustrating situations and hard times NOW at a younger age will drastically improve their mental health for the future The Fun Thieves will open important conversations about your child’s feelings and help them acknowledge them. It will also help give them a foundational skill of resiliency so that they can transform their BIG FRUSTRATIONS into SMALLER, more manageable ones. It is a perfect introduction to spark discussions with children about their mental and emotional health. The Fun Thieves, is a must for every parent who wants to encourage positive thinking.
Children will learn to keep positive attitudes when dealing with frustrating situations and remember to look on the BRIGHT SIDE. Relatable situations will help to teach kids to try to find the GOOD in something that seems to be ALL BAD. Learning While You Enjoy
Can you find the dog on each page? Look-and-find pages can help build listening, memory, and vocabulary skills. This can also improve language and vocabulary for younger children as they begin to recognize and find objects in the pictures.
Improve Your Child's Mental Health
According to the CDC, depression and anxiety have been significantly increasing more and more each year. According to the CDC, 1 in 6 children aged 2-8 years has a mental, behavioral or developmental disorder. Tackling your child's ability to work through frustrating situations and hard times NOW at a younger age will drastically improve their mental health for the future The Fun Thieves will open important conversations about your child’s feelings and help them acknowledge them. It will also help give them a foundational skill of resiliency so that they can transform their BIG FRUSTRATIONS into SMALLER, more manageable ones. It is a perfect introduction to spark discussions with children about their mental and emotional health. The Fun Thieves, is a must for every parent who wants to encourage positive thinking.
- GenresChildrens
32 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2022
60 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Carli Valentine
14 books50 followersCarli Valentine- Children's Book Author, Illustrator has always been passionate about writing and storytelling. From a young age, she learned of the magic that existed in books and has been entranced by it ever since. As a child, she consistently begged her parents for visits to the library so she could hand-pick from their vast collection of magical works. Her parents frequently caught her hiding under her bedcovers sneaking a book she couldn't put down, long into the night. It must have been the warm, soft glow of the reading light that gave her away!
Her goal as mother and an author, is to spread the magic of books to children so they can join in her obsession of reading. She loves to create fun stories by gathering inspiration from her kids. She resides with her husband and 2 boys (Finnegan and Lochlan) in Ogden, Utah. When she's not working on her children’s books she likes to hang out with her family and volunteer at her son’s elementary school and with various children’s heart defect charities. She has authored books including Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch, Turkey Trot, and Christmas is a Feeling and BIG Plans for Tomorrow with many more in the works.
Her goal as mother and an author, is to spread the magic of books to children so they can join in her obsession of reading. She loves to create fun stories by gathering inspiration from her kids. She resides with her husband and 2 boys (Finnegan and Lochlan) in Ogden, Utah. When she's not working on her children’s books she likes to hang out with her family and volunteer at her son’s elementary school and with various children’s heart defect charities. She has authored books including Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch, Turkey Trot, and Christmas is a Feeling and BIG Plans for Tomorrow with many more in the works.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 6, 2022
A little change in attitude can make a big difference
The trees, sun, wind, rain, lightning all take away the kid's enjoyment while playing. But that does not need to dampen the kids. All these things give more than they take and the life around us is proof of that. Instead of cribbing, just understanding and changing the attitude would give children more happiness. Lovely illustrations and cute read for children.
The trees, sun, wind, rain, lightning all take away the kid's enjoyment while playing. But that does not need to dampen the kids. All these things give more than they take and the life around us is proof of that. Instead of cribbing, just understanding and changing the attitude would give children more happiness. Lovely illustrations and cute read for children.
June 22, 2022
Fantastic!!
It's so easy to look at the bad side of things and blame others, but there's always something good to be found; always a silver lining...you just have to look a little closer. A fantastic read about looking for the good in all things.
It's so easy to look at the bad side of things and blame others, but there's always something good to be found; always a silver lining...you just have to look a little closer. A fantastic read about looking for the good in all things.
November 25, 2022
The Fun Thieves by Carli Valentine
The author offers a valuable perspective to disgruntled children. It is so easy to complain and feel like the world is conspiring against you. Children often feel powerless and unable to control any aspect of their lives. Valentine shows how easy it is to feel disgruntled. She then shows how to turn it around and look at alternative perspectives. I think the book provides an excellent lesson on how to look at life without ever mentioning glass half full.
Well done and I recommend the book.
The author offers a valuable perspective to disgruntled children. It is so easy to complain and feel like the world is conspiring against you. Children often feel powerless and unable to control any aspect of their lives. Valentine shows how easy it is to feel disgruntled. She then shows how to turn it around and look at alternative perspectives. I think the book provides an excellent lesson on how to look at life without ever mentioning glass half full.
Well done and I recommend the book.
June 24, 2022
What a wonderful story for children! I loved the colorful illustrations and negatives and positives that are so relatable to children, even as an adult I found the story very relatable in how to look at life. The story teaches children it's all in how you look at every situation and how you choose to see it.
June 11, 2023
Carli Valentine's "The Fun Thieves" is a thought-provoking book which has a great message about seeing the positive side of things rather than the bad. It is a fantastic topic for discussion!
The book's appealing visuals make it simple to comprehend how adopting a new perspective can significantly improve one's quality of life.
I really like this book, and my grandson exclaimed, “I'd like to give it 20 stars!”
We appreciate Carli Valentine for writing and designing this wonderful book.
The book's appealing visuals make it simple to comprehend how adopting a new perspective can significantly improve one's quality of life.
I really like this book, and my grandson exclaimed, “I'd like to give it 20 stars!”
We appreciate Carli Valentine for writing and designing this wonderful book.
September 11, 2022
I love this sweet and lovely book!
A little girl is upset because the wind, sun, rain and lightning ruin her plans on various days.
She discovers if she changes her mindset, she can look at things around her in a brand new way.
This is such an important message for all of us.
A little girl is upset because the wind, sun, rain and lightning ruin her plans on various days.
She discovers if she changes her mindset, she can look at things around her in a brand new way.
This is such an important message for all of us.
August 13, 2022
Brilliant! A positive story about changing your perception to 'look on the bright side.' Great for mindfulness. Written in rhyme (which is a personal favourite of ours). The illustrations are fab too.
July 12, 2022
What a beautiful book! This is the second book I have read and enjoyed by Carli Valentine. It’s simple text and bright and beautiful illustrations make the story a pared too and captivating read for young children.
Follow a girl who accuses lots of different reasons and natural elements of stealing her fun. All situations that I’m sure many children can relate to , but then the story takes a different tone, modelling to children what a positive mindset can look like , when you look at things in a different way and have an attitude of gratitude.
Such an important message for all children.
I highly recommend this beautiful story.
Follow a girl who accuses lots of different reasons and natural elements of stealing her fun. All situations that I’m sure many children can relate to , but then the story takes a different tone, modelling to children what a positive mindset can look like , when you look at things in a different way and have an attitude of gratitude.
Such an important message for all children.
I highly recommend this beautiful story.
June 26, 2022
This book put a big smile on my face from the awesome illustrations to the moral of the story! When things dampen your mood a positive outlook can make the future bright. Teaching kids to appreciate the moments is a wonderful life lesson we all benefit from. I loved this book and especially liked the illustration of the puppy in the rain jacket. So cute!
July 6, 2022
Must Read!!
This is such a cute story. I absolutely enjoyed reading this. The author used clever ways to show the reader how changing your attitude can positively impact your day! Find the good in things we can't control.
This is such a cute story. I absolutely enjoyed reading this. The author used clever ways to show the reader how changing your attitude can positively impact your day! Find the good in things we can't control.
July 7, 2022
really cute book!
So many things can go wrong in life, that it’s easy to stay sad and grumpy all the time. But a little change of perspective can go a long way! Cool book with charming illustrations!
So many things can go wrong in life, that it’s easy to stay sad and grumpy all the time. But a little change of perspective can go a long way! Cool book with charming illustrations!
June 29, 2022
Turn it around!
Cute little story showing how changing your thoughts, changes how you see things. You don't have to be mad or sad, you can turn it around!
Cute little story showing how changing your thoughts, changes how you see things. You don't have to be mad or sad, you can turn it around!
June 29, 2022
Fantastic story
What a fantastic story to teach little ones to find the good in a bad situation. Very creative illustrations too!
What a fantastic story to teach little ones to find the good in a bad situation. Very creative illustrations too!
July 2, 2022
Delightful
I liked the simplicity of the illustrations and the author's message to the reader in just a few words. Very sweet.
I liked the simplicity of the illustrations and the author's message to the reader in just a few words. Very sweet.
July 4, 2022
Sweet Story
Lovely concept! I like how these elements are introduced as the ‘fun thieves’ and I also like the change of attitude towards gratitude.
Lovely concept! I like how these elements are introduced as the ‘fun thieves’ and I also like the change of attitude towards gratitude.
July 5, 2022
Amazon Customer
A cute story on how to see things in a positive way rather then negative. Good teaching tool for my kids!
A cute story on how to see things in a positive way rather then negative. Good teaching tool for my kids!
July 6, 2023
The Fun Thieves, written and illustrated by Carli Valentine, offers a quick, yet thought-provoking lesson on the power of our attitude.
The book starts with a young girl who is trying to have fun when the “fun thieves” ruin her good time. The tree steals her kite, rain steals her ball game, sickness steals her party, it’s like she can’t win.
But with a quick reframing of the situation, she realizes her attitude might just hold the power to turn her day around! Looking at it differently, she considers that the tree offers her shade, sickness teaches her gratitude, everything, it seems, offers a silver lining.
The story sums it up by explaining, “Changing the way you look at things can make big frustrations seem small.” It encourages readers to consider not only what is taken from them in any situation, but also what is given.
I absolutely adored the morale of this story. It’s a concept that many adults have yet to grasp! If our children can learn it at a young age, I firmly believe it will change the trajectory of their lives.
The author presented the lesson in a way kids can easily connect with and included some of their biggest frustrations, such as weather and sickness ruining fun plans. These are very real and frequent experiences that parents can not only chat about while reading the book, but can also refer back to the book when their children inevitably run into the “fun thieves” of life.
I also appreciated the book’s brevity. Many important lessons are lost on children because they turn into long speeches that lose their interest.
In contrast, most of the pages in The Fun Thieves carry only one sentence, with the most text-heavy page weighing in at three sentences. This gives kids breathing space to read, reflect on the words, study the illustrations, and chime in on the conversation.
The illustrations were fun and incredibly relatable, with the girl’s face (and her dog’s face!) reflecting the emotions all children experience. My eight-year-old’s favorite part of the illustrations was the girl’s dog, who first barked angrily at the fun thieves, then joined in his owner’s ephiphany. You just can’t beat a cute dog!
Overall, this is a fun and easy read that carries an important message for all children (and adults).
The book starts with a young girl who is trying to have fun when the “fun thieves” ruin her good time. The tree steals her kite, rain steals her ball game, sickness steals her party, it’s like she can’t win.
But with a quick reframing of the situation, she realizes her attitude might just hold the power to turn her day around! Looking at it differently, she considers that the tree offers her shade, sickness teaches her gratitude, everything, it seems, offers a silver lining.
The story sums it up by explaining, “Changing the way you look at things can make big frustrations seem small.” It encourages readers to consider not only what is taken from them in any situation, but also what is given.
I absolutely adored the morale of this story. It’s a concept that many adults have yet to grasp! If our children can learn it at a young age, I firmly believe it will change the trajectory of their lives.
The author presented the lesson in a way kids can easily connect with and included some of their biggest frustrations, such as weather and sickness ruining fun plans. These are very real and frequent experiences that parents can not only chat about while reading the book, but can also refer back to the book when their children inevitably run into the “fun thieves” of life.
I also appreciated the book’s brevity. Many important lessons are lost on children because they turn into long speeches that lose their interest.
In contrast, most of the pages in The Fun Thieves carry only one sentence, with the most text-heavy page weighing in at three sentences. This gives kids breathing space to read, reflect on the words, study the illustrations, and chime in on the conversation.
The illustrations were fun and incredibly relatable, with the girl’s face (and her dog’s face!) reflecting the emotions all children experience. My eight-year-old’s favorite part of the illustrations was the girl’s dog, who first barked angrily at the fun thieves, then joined in his owner’s ephiphany. You just can’t beat a cute dog!
Overall, this is a fun and easy read that carries an important message for all children (and adults).
August 26, 2022
“Tree TOOK my kite! Wind TOOK my ball! Sick STOLE my party. Not FAIR at all!” And so continues this heartwarming, feel-good story about a young girl who feels that the sun, rain, lightening and other personified “thieves” are taking away the things she enjoys. This makes her mad and sad until eventually she decides to change her attitude and the way she looks at things. The tree that once took her kite also provides shade, the wind that took her ball now helps carry her kite, and the sick that stole her party also gives her gratitude. This story will encourage young readers to focus on the positive side of things when dealing with frustrations in life. The easy-to-read, rhyming text and bright, lively illustrations will appeal to children aged 2-7.
April 11, 2023
Have you ever had one of those bad days and blamed everything else for how you feel? It’s important to be able to use a positive mindset and change thinking. The Fun Thieves is a great book to give examples and start a great conversation. I highly recommend The Fun Thieves. It is well written and beautifully illustrated.
January 30, 2023
Great book with a great message for children who sometimes need a little extra coaxing to find the joy in life instead of worrying. Would be extremely helpful to children who experience minor anxiety.
May 28, 2023
Sometimes it can be hard to explain perspective to our children! This book, with fun illustrations, helps show children the same thing that can be frustrating to us (maybe a windy day) can also be enjoyable…fly a kite! Another fun book by Carli Valentine!
May 22, 2023
A cute children's book about the power of positive thinking!
March 1, 2026
Rainbows are my thing. The pictures are super cool.
July 1, 2022
book about changing your attitude
This sweet book’s illustrations make emotions come to life. Sharing an important message kids can understand, you can control your attitude but not the weather. A great book to add to your bookshelf!
This sweet book’s illustrations make emotions come to life. Sharing an important message kids can understand, you can control your attitude but not the weather. A great book to add to your bookshelf!
April 29, 2025
Great Children’s Book for a Sad or Bad Day
Have you ever had a time when nothing seems to go right? When it seems as though all of the elements are against you? In this sweet children’s book by Carli Valentine, she takes all those rotten things that can happen to you and turns them on their head. She teaches about how important attitude is and how we have to keep our lives in perspective. I love her quirky illustrations and especially how she personified things that might be hard for children to conceptualize. Everybody has a bad day now and then. This book would help bring a smile to a child’s face even when they’re going through a rough time.
Have you ever had a time when nothing seems to go right? When it seems as though all of the elements are against you? In this sweet children’s book by Carli Valentine, she takes all those rotten things that can happen to you and turns them on their head. She teaches about how important attitude is and how we have to keep our lives in perspective. I love her quirky illustrations and especially how she personified things that might be hard for children to conceptualize. Everybody has a bad day now and then. This book would help bring a smile to a child’s face even when they’re going through a rough time.
June 23, 2022
Cool story
This is a different perspective which i have read. It conveys a positive meaning in respect to life and things we experience. To appreciate what we have. Lovely book in need. It changes the perspective of the things we see.
This is a different perspective which i have read. It conveys a positive meaning in respect to life and things we experience. To appreciate what we have. Lovely book in need. It changes the perspective of the things we see.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews