Don't Be A Mosquito!
by Kristy Schwartz

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Ricky loves adventures, playing with his dog Buster, and being part of everything, but maybe a little too much! He wiggles, blurts, and buzzes right into other people’s space without meaning to. At school his excitement sometimes gets him into trouble, and making friends feels harder than it should. Then one night, a pesky mosquito won’t leave him alone, and Ricky has a surprising thought: What if he’s acting just like that mosquito? The next day, Ricky looks at things a little differently, learning that small changes can make a big difference. Don’t Be a Mosquito! explores self-awareness, self-regulation, impulsive behaviour, empathy, and belonging in a gentle and humorous way. Using a playful and memorable metaphor, Ricky’s story helps children notice how their actions affect others. Don’t Be a Mosquito! also encourages self-acceptance and growth, celebrating the small moments that help children feel proud of who they are.

www.kristyschwartz.com

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“This book has helped me turn my classroom around. Highly recommend!” -Paige

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Kristy Schwartz is a teacher with more than twenty years of experience working with students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 and brings both professional knowledge and classroom-tested insight to her writing. She is completing her master’s degree in special education with a focus on Applied Behaviour Analysis. After years of hearing students say, “This story should be a book!”, Kristy began shaping stories that could support learning, connection, and self-awareness. Originally from northern Manitoba, where mosquitoes are plentiful, she began using the mosquito metaphor as a behaviour-support tool in her classroom with positive results across multiple classrooms. Kristy lives in Edson, Alberta, with her family and their dog, Piper. As a survivor of brain cancer, she turned to writing and journalling as part of her recovery and discovered her voice along the way. When she’s not teaching or writing, Kristy enjoys camping, hiking, crafting, cooking, and spending time outdoors with her family.

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Contributors

Author

Kristy Schwartz

Illustrator

David Anderson

FriesenPress Editions