Uphill Reading: A Book of Encouragement for Tough Days

Most children begin a new school year feeling hopeful and excited.

Okay, maybe “excited” is overstating it just a bit. At least for a few. Perhaps “energized” is more accurate. There are new classrooms, new teachers, new routines, and new opportunities for a fresh start.

But like the new-car smell that fades much sooner than we’d prefer, the novelty of a new school year can evaporate quite quickly. For some, it fades after a few weeks. For others, it only takes hours.  

Before long, many of the old hang-ups, challenges, and conflicts of the past resurface:

• A falling out with a friend.
• A disappointing grade.
• A defeat on the field, on the stage, or in the classroom.

Summer may have offered a time-out from such struggles, but it didn’t remove them.

As parents and educators, what can be done when our students inevitably hit an emotional low? When Vanessa or Sammy feels discouraged, overwhelmed, or misunderstood, how can we help?

One way is to offer encouragement before it’s needed.

Uphill Reading

Have you ever heard of a feel-good, from-the-heart storybook called Uphill Reading? Think of it as a personalized encouragement book filled with memories, messages, photos, and reminders of strengths to help a child through difficult days. And you get to be the author!

Each page can hold treasured photos, meaningful keepsakes, and heartfelt words from people who care. Together, these elements create a lasting source of comfort and reassurance, especially on days when confidence and optimism need restoring.  

Life is filled with ups and downs.
When you’re going uphill, read this.
It will reveal strengths you haven’t found.

Give the student in your life the gift of encouragement and a mood boost whenever it’s needed most. Fill the pages with things to make them smile…

• Favorite poem or passage. Maybe your child wrote a funny limerick or made up a memorable rhyme. A thought-provoking passage or verse from a beloved book works too!

• Feel-good stories about an athlete, artist, or musician. Paste inspirational stories about individuals who overcame challenges to achieve their goals.   

• Favorite song lyrics or song titles. Write down a favorite lyric or song title, or introduce your child to music that carries a positive, uplifting message.   

• A bliss-blast list. Let them fill in the blanks with all the stuff that makes them feel bliss or all the times they had a blast (a favorite color, a description of the best gift ever received, the name of someone who’s a blast to spend time with, etc.).  

• Affirmation cards. Design cards with motivational phrases (“I got this!” and “I have grit!”) and paste them throughout the book.   

• “Happy” apps, hotline numbers, and websites. Write down age-appropriate apps that are designed to relax, encourage, and calm users. Include trusted websites, apps, and phone numbers they can turn to when they need extra support. Start your list with:
  • Your Life Your Voice App (YourLifeYourVoice.org)
  • 800-448-3000 (Boys Town National Hotline)

• Photo collages. Paste snapshots of them having fun and looking carefree.

• Lucky charms. Tape or paste on a page any charm or keepsake that reminds your child of something memorable, joyful, or hopeful. The keepsake might be a rabbit’s foot, keychain, coin, or other trinket.  

Teachers can create a classroom version of Uphill Reading too. Students can collect encouraging notes from classmates, examples of their best work, positive feedback from teachers, and memories from successful classroom experiences.

The story goes on…    

When you’re done compiling feel-good, inspirational material, present the book as a back-to-school gift. As your child thumbs through the pages, say why you made it… to serve as a pick-me-up when life feels challenging.      

Encourage your child to add more material throughout the school year, from ribbons won and certificates earned to new memories and accomplishments.   

Every child experiences setbacks. What helps them recover is remembering they are capable, valued, and supported. An UpHill Reading book becomes a reminder that difficult days don’t define them and that brighter days are ahead.

Because this is a story with a happy never-ending.