Ava & Taylor and the Heavy Backpack: A Story About Self-Management and Asking for Help

By LaTonya Pugh Staten

Big feelings can feel heavy-just like a backpack filled with worries.

In Ava & Taylor and the Heavy Backpack, best friends Ava and Taylor help children understand that worries about family, school, friends, and themselves can build up and feel hard to carry. Through gentle, relatable moments, Taylor learns that keeping worries inside can make it hard to sleep, focus, and feel calm.

With Ava's support-and help from a trusted adult-Taylor discovers that talking about feelings and asking for help can make worries feel lighter.

This social-emotional learning (SEL) story uses a simple backpack metaphor to help children:
- Understand and name big feelings
- Recognize when worries feel overwhelming
- Practice healthy self-management skills
- Learn that asking a trusted adult for help is okay

Perfect for classrooms, school counseling lessons, read-alouds, and home discussions, this book also includes:
- A reflection activity
- A certificate of completion
- A teacher guide
- A parent guide

Written by LaTonya Staten, Ed.S., school counselor and educator, this book supports children in building emotional awareness, confidence, and healthy coping skills-while reminding them they don't have to carry their worries alone.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GKW3FZ5P
• ISBN13: 9798246333228
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 26 Pages
• Weight: 0.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"