And

By Kerri Monnerat, Olivia Chalkley, and Saige Hopkins

A children’s book about the permission to feel two things at once. Scared and excited. Worried and hopeful. For kids who are holding more than one feeling and don’t know what to do with that.


And? And is just one word. How is that helpful?” 

Bobby is getting ready to go away to summer camp for the first time and is having a lot of feelings all at once. He’s excited but he’s also scared and worried. These big feelings are causing Bobby to feel terrible and act out, even being mean to his best friend Milo.

Luckily, Milo remembers feeling the same way when he first went to summer camp, until he learned the power of AND. He shares his experience and what he has learned with Bobby, helping his friend overcome his fear.

BookFest Award Winner – Fall 2023

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complexity of human emotions and the value of true friendship. Discover the power of AND which will unlock the key to emotional freedom with this touching story.

Suzie Housley, Midwest Book Review




An excellent social-emotional learning tool.

BookLife Reviews



A useful book for elementary schoolers still struggling with big emotions.

Kirkus Reviews

Authors

Kerri Monnerat Kettlepot Press And Book

Kerri Monnerat has been a professional educator for over 30 years. She is an award-winning teacher, performer, and director. In her career, she has directed and choreographed over 150 musicals, created curriculums, and served as a board member for theaters in both Los Angeles and Denver. Most recently, she was Executive Director of the Colorado Children’s Theatre (CCT), a musical theater and performance school with four schools and hundreds of students in the Denver and Foothill areas of Colorado.

Olivia Chalkley Kettlepot Press And Book

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Olivia Chalkley graduated from Guilford College in 2017 with a BA in English Literature. She’s been cultivating creative experiences for youth since 2012 when she first began working at Opequon Quaker Arts Camp as a counselor. She’s since spent 8 summers at Opequon, leading arts workshops, creative play activities, backpacking trips, and staff training, most recently serving as Assistant Director. She currently serves as the Young Friends Program Facilitator for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, where she coordinates programs for Quaker high schoolers. Olivia believes in fostering the creative lives of children and young adults through trust-based learning, play, and community-building.

Illustrators

Saige Hopkins Kettlepot Press And Book Illustrator

Saige Hopkins is an illustrator & designer. She got her BFA from Cooper Union in New York, where she received the Pietro & Alfrieda Montana Prize, (for excellence in drawing), Elizabeth Kray Memorial Prize, (in recognition of proven ability in poetry), & the Ox-Bow School of Art Fellowship. She has worked with various groups in her home of Asheville, North Carolina including CoThinkk, Indigo Design, Hornsby Creative, the indie rock band Wednesday, and GreenWorks. In her free time, she makes home decor.


Buy Direct

ISBN

979-8-9850110-1-2

Publication Date

September 1, 2022

Dimensions

8.0" x 10.0" (254mm x 203mm)

Page Count

38

ISBN

979-8-9850110-0-5

Publication Date

April 1, 2022

Dimensions

8.0" x 10.0" (254mm x 203mm)

Page Count

38


Frequently Asked Questions

What ages is And appropriate for?
And is written for ages 5-9, though many older kids enjoy it too. The story and language are simple enough for early readers, and the themes resonate well beyond that range.

What themes does And cover?
And is about holding two feelings at once, like being excited and scared at the same time. The story follows a boy preparing for his first summer camp, and it's a good fit for any situation where a child feels mixed emotions: a first day of school, a sleepover, a new activity.

Is And based on a true story?
And was inspired by real conversations about big feelings kids have before new experiences. The characters and story are fictional.

Is And a good fit for kids with anxiety about new experiences?
Yes. And was written specifically for kids who feel more than one thing at once about something new, like camp, school, or any change in routine. It doesn't try to fix the anxious feeling. It gives kids language for holding both feelings together.

How long does it take to read And out loud?
And takes about 5-10 minutes to read aloud, making it a good fit for bedtime or a quick read before a big day.