Helping Children Cope with Feelings

Creating a business and bringing an idea to life is a labor of love. When Sheila Duncan’s niece was 12, she found herself surrounded by adversity losing three family members to cancer in a very short time. This devoted aunt suggested they sit down together and write a book about it. The result was the creation of a gutsy, huggable, inspiring character named - Trouble. The first book, “Here’s Trouble” was such a success that a Trouble plush toy was created, handcrafted of superb quality right here in the USA. Sheila also developed Trouble-inspired jewelry, and T-shirts and is working on an animated children's television series…but the best part of this story is what Trouble represents to children all around the world. The message behind the first storybook is that kids today are pressured at school and deal with issues such as poverty, homelessness, abuse, divorce, illness, bullying, and more. Quite simply - Trouble helps kids deal with whatever is troubling them. Trouble The Dog gives them someone to hug. When children pick Trouble up, they hug him and smile and don’t want to put him down. Often, children whisper into Trouble’s ear first and then feel confident to speak to a teacher, parent, or counselor about what is troubling them. Kids can feel Trouble’s positive energy. Just watch a child interact with Trouble and you’ll see for yourself. A second book is “Where There’s Trouble, There’s Hope.” The book introduces a new character – a little puppy named Hope. It’s a sweet story that inspires children to always have hope and to believe in themselves and in their dreams. The newest book in the series “Trouble’s In Trouble!!!” gently reminds kids that it’s important to talk about their emotions … and a brand new tiny spark of light named Clarence helps them do just that. Sheila and Trouble The Dog have been featured on CNN’s American Journey, MSNBCs Your Business as a Socially Conscious toy; https://www.openforum.com/videos/socially-conscious-stocking-stuffers-made-byfemale-entrepreneurs/; North Shore Magazine’s Top Women Entrepreneurs, Martha Stewart Finalist for “Made in America”, Magic 106.7’s Exceptional Women Entrepreneurs, Broadcast interview on Radio Entrepreneurs and Success Magazine’s “Seniorpreneurs” series.  Here’s what we discussed:  Trouble the dog  Books to help children  Helping children cope with their feelings  Connect with Sheila Duncan:  https://www.facebook.com/troublethedogandhope   http://www.troublethedog.com/   Twitter: @trouble_the_dog  IG: troublethedog_and_hope