Virtual Book Tour The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

 

ABOUT THE BOOKS

The Boy and His Higher Self

Written by Ricardo Santa Cruz

Illustrated by Yuko Kondo

Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages

Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-99068-351-8

Publisher's Book Summary: And have you always been here right by my side? I have always been with you, living inside. Have you ever listened to the little voice inside your head? What does it say to you? The Boy and His Higher Self is the story of a boy who discovers and learns to trust his higher self, a presence that has always been with him. Dedicated to the inner child and higher self within young children and adults alike, this book offers guidance and tools to help children overcome feelings of insecurity and sadness and gain self-confidence and positivity.

My First Day of School

Written by Ricardo Santa Cruz

Illustrated by Yuko Kondo

Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages

Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN: 979-8990683501

Publisher's Book Summary: I'm afraid to be myself and don't know if I can. Relax and remember to be yourself. There's no need to try to be someone else. My First Day of School, the second book in a series dedicated to the inner child and higher self, tells the story of a boy on his first day of school. Nervous about making new friends and being accepted by his peers, he confides his insecurities in his higher self. With insight and guidance, his higher self shares with him that having the courage to be your authentic self inspires others to do the same and create a positive environment.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

MY REVIEW

As the new school year approaches (or has even started for some with an extended-year schedule), books about school-related anxiety come in very handy. My First Day of School shows one child’s doubts and worries and his inner dialogue with himself about his feelings.

The child’s inner self is depicted as a fluffy cloudlike presence that can float alongside him or oven wrap its fluffy arms around him. Rhyming text shares the child’s conversation with his inner self as they discuss being authentic, worrying about whether other kids will see him as cool, or looking for opportunities to show kindness. As his inner self reminds him, “When you aren’t true to yourself, It is hard to be truthful to anyone else.” This wiser version of himself also points out that many students who seem to be very confident and assured may be faking it because they are also worried, “So they start to pretend that they have the right stuff.”

Many stories about the start of the school year feature very young children. One thing that stands out about this book is that the child is shown as someone a bit older. He can ride his bike to school without an adult escort, for example. That makes this a good choice to share with a student who has been to school in previous years, but still has some anxious feelings when starting a new grade.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ricardo Santa Cruz currently lives in Xala, located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, a project of which he is a co-founding partner. All proceeds from The Boy and His Higher Self will be given to The Xala Foundation, aimed at helping to educate and bring opportunities to marginalized communities from the region. You can learn more at theboyandhishigherself.com and thexalafoundation.org.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Tour Kick-Off for The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Thursday, August 6, 2026 The Starlit Path Book Review of My First Day of School

Friday, August 7, 2026 The Fairview Review Book Review of My First Day of School

Monday, August 10, 2026 Deliciously Savvy Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Thursday, August 13, 2026 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Friday, August 14, 2026 @nissa_the.bookworm Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Monday, August 17, 2026 Me Two Books Author Interview with Ricardo Santa Cruz

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 Life Skills 2 Learn Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self

Thursday, August 20, 2026 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight on The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

Friday, August 21, 2026 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Ricardo Santa Cruz

Monday, August 24, 2026 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 @meghenslittlelibrary Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self

Thursday, August 27, 2026 Cover Lover Book Review Book Review of The Boy and His Higher Self and My First Day of School

This post is sponsored by Ricardo Santa Cruz. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.