Resilience, Bullying and AI in Psychology

I had an interesting radio interview with 2 SER hosts, Campbell Steenbhom-Smith and Jessica Harrison based on my book, Raising Spring kids: A psychologist’s guide to nurturing mindful kids and my September column in the Sydney Observer magazine.

 We discussed the need to not overprotect kids but to help them develop resilience in coping with adversity and teach them the importance of not seeing themselves as victims by learning to respond rather than react to negative experiences such as bullying.

We also discussed the risks of using AI therapists in psychology and role play a counselling session with an AI therapist vs a real-life therapist.

Interview with 2 SER. FM 107.3. 2 September 2025.Listen now https://lnkd.in/gG_7ZyEz

“CULTIVATING RESILIENCE FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING”

In my September column for the Sydney Observer magazine (p.14) https://sydneyobserver.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Observer0925.pdf

I write about how to help kids to cope. I often hear “Kids nowadays are experiencing a lot of stress. It is difficult for them to cope.” I would advise “Help them cultivate  resilience.” In my view, resilience is one of the most essential attributes adults and kids can cultivate in developing psychological wellbeing.  

 What is resilience?

 Resilience speaks to an ability to manage and overcome adversities and obstacles, and to bounce back from challenging situations with adaptability. It is associated with a healthy sense of self-confidence, self-belief, competence, and an inner strength.

 Helping kids to be resilient

 How can you help kids to strengthen their sense of resilience? Here are some of my recommendations:

 · Avoid overprotecting kids

 It is important to protect kids from physical harm. However, the reality is that you would not be able to shield them from all risks.  If you try to do so, there is a significant likelihood of diminishing your children’s ability to be emotionally resilient and learn to cope with a range of situations. So we  need to keep a healthy balance between keeping  kids safe and overprotecting them. Offer kids choices about how to manage their concerns grounded on the belief that they could cope from the inside out while you support them to try out various options – the idea of teaching kids to fish, rather than giving them the fish. This is a good antidote to overprotecting your child.


· Help kids to work out answers themselves

 A resilient kid is one who is able to reason and problem-solve. I advise parents to stop hovering over their kids and piloting their worlds. In this age of instant information, you would be right in not allowing your child easy screen time on devices and  access to social media. I share similar beliefs. However for older kids who have to source information from the internet for research and schools projects, the issue is more complicated. How do kids learn to differentiate legitimate information from misinformation? It is important for older kids to develop the ability to reason for themselves and build the confidence to make informed decisions about what they read on the internet and not to do use social media indiscriminately. You can nurture this discernment skill by encouraging them to first work out their own answers. When you build up your kids’ confidence to think for themselves, you are reinforcing their self-belief that they will be able to use their power of reasoning to work through unfamiliar situations.


· Encourage kids not to see themselves as victims
We hear and read about kids being bullied in school or on social media and the negative impact these experiences have on their mental health. You can support your kids in coping with such negative actions by helping them to:

Appreciate that sometimes people may be acting from ignorance rather than malice
Not see themselves as victims and to use their resilience and inner strength to transcend the situation
Not let others define who they are and what they choose to be.

Each of us can be a victim or a hero in our personal journeys as we have the capacity to be the authors and editors of our lives. You can help foster children’s resilience and psychological well-being by helping them to cope and manage both the negatives and positives. 

“HOW NATURE TEACHES YOU ABOUT INTER-CONNECTEDNESS & RENEWAL”

Nowadays we are so caught up with global warming, net zero and renewals — the hubris of thinking that human beings know and can do better — we forget what a wonderful teacher NATURE is in its natural state. In my August column in the Sydney Observer magazine, p.15 (https://online.fliphtml5.com/wtpec/mlpq/#p=1), I discussed how nature in helping us experience change, inter-connectedness and renewal gives us hope and a sense of humility and grace, simple but important lessons for the human race.

I write about the renowned Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh’s conversation with the fallen autumn leaves, with the leaves expressing no fear or regrets since it was part of the whole tree, having nourished it in its growth, and now goes back to the soil to nourish the tree for its renewal in spring – a wonderful illustration of inter-connectedness and inter-dependence.

On a personal note, Nhat Hanh’s commentary brought back wonderful memories of my own encounter with interdependence. I have a rose garden, where I would pick roses. I observed myself searching for newly opened roses, ignoring the dead flowers on the ground. In a moment of mindful awareness, I realised that I had lost sight of the fact that the dead flowers came from the rose bush and would go back to nourish it. I had unwittingly judged one component of the whole to be more important or more beautiful than another.

 I also write about Catherine, the Princess of Wales sharing how nature helped her to heal after her experience with cancer—“the natural world's capacity to inspire us, to nurture us and help us heal and grow is boundless …."

 Interconnectedness and renewal can be difficult to appreciate but essential learnings in our being spiritual. If you observe a deciduous tree and the fallen leaves, you will appreciate the intimate connection with growth, life, death and renewal as Nhat Hanh and the Princess of Wales did. It is a humbling experience.

"THE YOUNGER GENERATION'S ADDICTION TO SCREEN AND PHONE TIME"

I recommend reading the timely, well-written article by Ros Thomas titled “Kids told us that they want to stop scrolling but they don’t know how” in the Weekend Australian Magazine (Aug 16, 2025).

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/these-kids-told-us-they-want-to-stop-scrolling-but-they-dont-know-how/news-story/4e29c69ec64ecb9224658dff912dcd8c

Thomas interviewed Australian teenagers over a nine month period about how they feel about themselves on social media. According to Thomas, “the open secret among the under-16s is that they already know social media makes them feel bad about themselves. They just don’t know what to do about it.” A number of teenagers told Thomas that their screentime can last from 8 hours, 9 hours to early morning. She wrote about the concern of Jonathan Haidt, the best-selling author of  The Anxious Generation…”  (2024) that “parents have overprotected children in the real world …but vastly underprotected them in the virtual world” giving them “an iPhone and IPad” and saying “we ‘re going to let you be guided into adulthood by a bunch of random people on the internet chosen by algorithms…”

The negative impact on young minds described by Thomas is real, deeply troubling and needs to be taken seriously. As a psychologist, I have encountered young people with significant internet addiction and withdrawal symptoms when their devices are taken away. The impact on the whole family is devastating.

Fortunately, as Thomas’ shared, there are school principals like Barry Finch and Matt Hopkins who have taken the road less travelled and put a “blanket ban” on phones for their students in school despite student pushback. Finch and Hopkins also pointed to a group who can be said to be part of the problem. As Finch noted, “ Thirty percent of my time … is spent dealing with parents’ inability to parent, ….to do boundaries… to remove the phone…” Hopkins said, “Parents need to step up and do their job. And 100 percent of schools should be banning phones outright…”   

I admire their leadership and determination to do the right thing for young minds.

I believe that excessive screen time and social media addiction is responsible for one of society’s most consequential mental health crisis. I highly recommend educators and parents read this meaningful article. Share them with kids and give them the opportunity to make an informed decision about stopping before this addiction takes over their lives.

“DIFFERENTIATING WHAT WE WANT FROM WHAT WE NEED”

In this age of entitlement, the catch-cry is often for “More and more”- more screen time, more devices, more money, more entertainment etc. Do we really need more or do we just want more? In my July column in the Sydney Observer magazine, I discuss the importance of differentiating between WANTS and NEEDS.

Needs speak to basic things that are important, usually necessities. Wants are usually about things that would be nice to have - desires or wishes. I learned this valuable distinction at my first meditation retreat where we were invited to eat one daily meal in keeping with the Buddhist practice. I piled a lot of food on my plate, worried that I might go hungry later. When told by my meditation teacher that we have to eat everything on our plates, I realised that I wanted more food than I really needed. As my meditation teacher noted, “A grateful heart turns what we have into enough.” Appreciating and acknowledging that we have enough acts as a buffer to many psychological problems for the young and old.

To read the full article (p.10)  

https://sydneyobserver.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Observer0725.pdf

“GRATITUDE IS AN ATTITUDE AND A CONTINUOUS PRACTICE ”

In my June column for the Sydney Observer magazine (p.14), I write about cultivating gratitude as an important life skill. We are usually aware of our minds and bodies when we are not feeling well, or when something goes wrong with our day. That is, we are more focused on negatives. I encourage you to practise gratitude for simple joys which we may take for granted:

·      Our health - to simply appreciate being alive and breathing - a “gratitude meditation” which can be practised by the whole family daily and

·      An uneventful/neutral day-If we are mindful that anything could have happened in 24 hours - we can appreciate when our day ends well and nothing dramatic happened. I call this meditation “Grateful for everything and nothing meditation.”

I believe that continually wrapping ourselves with a sense of gratefulness for simple happenings is a powerful contributor to good mental health and a positive attitude. There are no expenses involved and no negative side effect to this sense of calm awareness.

For the full article, see Sydney Observer (June issue, '25, p.14)
https://online.fliphtml5.com/wtpec/yroa/#p=1

“NO CHILD HAS DIED FROM BOREDOM”

One of the important challenges for families and kids is the frequent use of social media, the internet and mobile devices. I believe the significant amount of screen and device time used by parents to nanny their kids, pose one of the greatest catalyst of the mental health crisis. In my May column, I wrote about how no child has died from boredom and the psychological and emotional risks for kids when parents use their mobile to nanny their kids  and for parents to refrain from doing so.

NO CHILD HAS DIED FROM BOREDOM!"
For the full article, see Sydney Observer (May issue, '25, p.14)
https://sydneyobserver.com.au/.../2025/05/Observer0525.pdf

ACKNOWLEDGMENT IN THE NSW PARLIAMENT

 I wish to express my deep gratitude to Matt Cross, MP, Member for Davidson for his acknowledgement of my fourth book, Raising Spring Kids: A Psychologist’s Guide to Nurturing Mindful kids in a COMMUNITY RECOGNITION STATEMENT to the NSW Parliament on 7 May 2025.

 “One of the greatest privileges I have as the Member for Davidson is to acknowledge the inspiring and valuable work taking place in the community. This recognition of your work as a psychologist, writer, teacher and educator, in the official parliamentary record, Hansard, is important both for history and to recognise the enormous contribution you have made over many years to our community and to society, through your insightful and meaningful books and innovative teachings. … Congratulations once again on being recognised in the NSW Parliament.”

Matt acknowledged Alister Henskens, SC, MP, the Member for Wahroonga for officially launching and celebrating my book on 26 April 2025.

I thank my various Members of Parliament for their generous commendations and support of my work and vision for promoting positive values.  

NSW SENIORS LOCAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2025 & ACKNOWLEDGMENT IN NSW PARLIAMENT

I am pleased to share the NSW Seniors Local Achievement Award presented by my State Member of Parliament, Matt Cross, Member for Davidson. The award is for my contributions to children’s literature, writing on positive values and promoting cultural understanding. Matt  also recognised the award in the NSW parliament.

My thanks to Matt Cross for supporting my work, books and my passion for promoting good mental health, well-being  and positive flourishing.

COMMUNITY RECOGNITION STATEMENT ABOUT DRAGON AND FRIENDS’ MINDFUL ADVENTURES

I am delighted to share the Community Recognition Statement organised by my Member of Parliament, Mr Matt Cross, MP, Member for Davidson. I attach the beautiful Community Recognition Certificate, which will have a place of pride in my home. 

My thanks to Mr Matt Cross for his generous support and acknowledgement of my work and books in the NSW Parliament

WE CAN DO BETTER BY OUR KIDS AND FAMILIES IN MENTAL HEALTH!

 
 

As a psychologist, I continue to worry about the high level of medication of antipsychotic drugs and Ritalin being prescribed to kids in Australia and internationally.

A study by the University of Adelaide researchers in 2022 (Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56(11), 1477–1490 found that:

View the full article here

A recent article in The Economist “How to stop over–medicalising mental health" (7 Dec 2023) sounded the alarm that Britain is over-medicalising the population, and offered this important, timely advice:

View the full article here

YES, COMPASSION NEEDS TO BE COMPLEMENTED BY THOUGHTFULNESS.

This is what my book series offers.

https://www.belindakhong.com/lunar-new-year-animal-adventures-books-for-kids

My latest book–Dragon and Friends’ Mindful Adventures: The Great Race Again!, the third installment in the series, Lunar New Year Animal Books for Kids, is now published and will be officially launched in Sydney on Saturday, 23 March 2024 to celebrate the year of the Wood Dragon.

https://www.belindakhong.com/dragon-friends-mindful-adventures

The book promotes the important values of gratitude, appreciation, mindfulness, selflessness and compassion—important antidotes to many mental health problems.

Recently, I was invited to do a radio Interview with 2SER, Sydney. I discussed my concerns with the over-prescription of strong medication, and the impact of such powerful drugs on young minds. I further explored how we can foster kids’ well-being and development by encouraging them to learn from books that promote the integration of approaches from Eastern and Western psychologies and philosophies.

Listen to the 2SER radio interview here.

While medication has a role in managing some mental health issues, I believe that we can do better for our kids by offering them another approach that focuses on their strengths rather than their deficits.

YOUNG MINDS DESERVE BETTER THAN STRONG PRESCRIPTIVE MEDICATION!

 

SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT BY Mr ALISTER HENSKENS. SC, MP ABOUT MY WORK AND BOOKS

I am delighted to share the speech made in the NSW parliament by my Member of Parliament, Mr Alister Henskens, SC, the Member for Wahroonga.

 Below is an extract of the speech. For the full transcript, please see:

Legislative Assembly Hansard - 20 September 2023 - Proof (nsw.gov.au)

Dr Belinda Khong - Alister Henskens SC MP - Member for Wahroonga

Thank you Alister for your wonderful support and kind acknowledgement of my work and books in the NSW Parliament.

  DR BELINDA KHONG

Mr ALISTER HENSKENS (Wahroonga): For many years Dr Belinda Khong has been a dedicated psychologist in Wahroonga. Before her career as a psychologist began, Belinda was a lawyer and senior partner of a law firm she founded in Singapore. … Belinda is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and a fellow of the College of Counselling Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society. She lectures at the Department of Psychology at Macquarie University…  She is recognised for her integration of Western and Eastern approaches to psychology and psychotherapy, including her integration of Buddhist teachings.

Recently Belinda ventured into writing children's books that promote positive values and important psychosocial themes for families and children. The series, titled Lunar New Animal Books for Kids, offers tales centred around the Lunar New Year and various Chinese zodiac animals. Her first book was published last year, titled Am I a Tiger? A Mindful Water Tiger Cub’s Journey of Love, Friendship, and Self-Discovery. The book received a glowing endorsement from acclaimed actress Michelle Yeoh, who called it:… “a great book for children, parents, and families who want a heartwarming introduction to the positive values of mindfulness, gratitude, love, and compassion.”

 Following the success of that book, Dr Khong wrote her second animal zodiac book, titled Water Rabbit's Mindful Adventures: The Great Race of Animal and Human Friends. The book contains illustrations by the talented Laura Stitzel. My Chinese zodiac animal is a water rabbit, so I was particularly excited about the launch of that book. It integrates Eastern and Western wisdom, presenting an inspiring narrative filled with illustrations, poems and unique animal characters. It explores themes of resilience, generosity and leadership, which are important lessons to teach our younger generations.

I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the book at Wahroonga Park with my colleagues the member for Davidson, Matt Cross; and the member for Willoughby, Tim James, who formally launched the book. The launch was a beautiful afternoon in the park and a wonderful celebration of the book, with a reading of an excerpt from Water Rabbit's Mindful Adventures: The Great Race of Animal and Human Friends by Lynne, Matthew and Nicholas. Many children and adults were in attendance and were excited to hear from Belinda about her newest book.

The book presents the story of how Mei-Mei the water rabbit and her animal friends overcome their differences with humans to create a better community. It instils the importance of working together despite our differences, which is an important lesson to teach our children. Although the book's positive messages are aimed at children, there are many excellent life lessons to be taught to adults too. Teamwork, cooperation, open‑mindedness and personal growth are all important characteristics that we can take on board as adults.

I look forward to getting my hands on the third book of the Lunar New Year Animal Books for Kids series, Dragon and Friends' Mindful Adventures, which will launch in February of 2024. I commend Dr Belinda Khong on her mission to provide parents with such great guides to facilitate conversations about mental health and mindfulness with their children. I thank Belinda for her great contribution to our local community over so many years.

  

At the book launch-9 September 2023 - With the Members of Parliament-Messrs Tim James (and son, Xavier), who officially launched my book; Alister Henskens, and Matt Cross.

COMMUNITY RECOGNITION STATEMENT ABOUT WATER RABBIT MINDFUL ADVENTURES

I am delighted to share the Community Recognition Statement organized by my Member of Parliament, Mr Matt Cross, MP, Member for Davidson. I attach some extracts from the lovely letter from Matt, and the beautiful Community Recognition Certificate, which will have a place of pride in my home. 

My thanks to Mr Matt Cross for his generous support and acknowledgement of my work and books in the NSW Parliament

Acknowledgement in the NSW Parliament

 Dear Belinda,

 I am excited to write to you to share the enclosed Community Recognition Statement I made to the NSW Parliament on 20 September 2023 to mark the occasion of the Water Rabbit's Mindful Adventures Book Launch. One of the greatest privileges I have as the local Member for Davidson is to acknowledge the inspiring and valuable work taking place in our community.

This acknowledgment of the Water Rabbit's Mindful Adventures in the official parliamentary record, Hansard, is important both for history and to demonstrate the work you undertake in our local community to the rest of New South Wales….I encourage you and Water Rabbit's Mindful Adventures to display this Community Recognition Statement proudly for all of our community to see, read, and acknowledge.

Matt Cross MP

Member for Davidson

 

LOCAL PSYCHOLOGIST LEAVING HER MARK ON CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

THE POST (28 AUGUST 2023 ISSUE) BY ETHAN JONES


Integrating cultural learning into not just our schools, but our communities as a whole will see the growth in understanding each other’s own unique experiences. As well as exploring valuable lessons and resources, seeking out knowledge from a range of sources can be greatly influential to the improvement of an individual’s mental health and wellbeing.

Dr. Belinda Khong is an experienced local psychologist, who with over 2 decades of experience, has leaned into another chapter of her life, a chapter that continues to help inspire the minds of young people. She established the publication company, Phoenix Tiger Press, which pays homage and respect to the journey and experiences of her mother and father. 

Utilising her knowledge and experience of both Eastern and Western approaches to psychotherapy, Belinda set her mind to curating a collection of positive stories that teach children a range of psychosocial and spiritual skills, with the help of a few zodiac friends.

“I wanted to give, through my books, a very accessible way for kids to talk about their problems”, Khong explained, “also to normalise their experiences”. 

Belinda released the first book of her Lunar New Year Animal Books for Kids series last year, titled ‘Am I a Tiger..? Mindful Water Tiger Cub’s Journey of Love, Friendship and Mindfulness’ to an amazing reception. This tells an inspiring tale of acceptance, belonging, and gaining confidence and comfortability with self- identity issues. “It’s very heartening that people say to me, that their children tell them, Mommy I feel like Water Tiger Cub today”.

Belinda’s journey into authorship was not always just about writing stories, in fact it was another avenue to keep providing assistance to those who may feel unsure in themselves. “I didn’t start doing books, I started thinking how can I give the families I work with a way for them to explore their feelings without a sense of inadequacy”, Khong explained.

Her newest release, Water Rabbit’s Mindful Adventures, will be officially launched on September 9 at Wahroonga Park at 2 pm by the Hon. Tim James, MP, Member for Willoughby, followed by a Book Signing at Berkelouw Bookshop, at Westfield Hornsby on September 23. The book promises to be another affectionate tale promoting the importance of positive values, mental health and building comfortable relationships with ourselves, and with others.

 For more information on Belinda Khong’s Book Launch and Signing events, go

to https://www.belindakhong.com

TO READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE, GO TO https://www.hkpost.com.au/arts--culture/local-psychologist-leaving-her-mark-on-childrens-literature

AUSTRALIAN-CHINESE PSYCHOLOGIST TURNS AUTHOR

The Sydney Observer (August issue) is now published. It features an article of my work and my book series—LUNAR NEW YEAR ANIMAL BOOKS FOR KIDS, and the release and book launch of my second Zodiac animal book—WATER RABBIT MINDFUL ADVENTURES: THE GREAT RACE OF ANIMAL AND HUMAN FRIENDS (ARTICLE-p.18; BOOK LAUNCH, p.11). To read the full article: https://www.sydneyobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Observer0823-web.pdf

WHAT ORCHIDS TEACH US ABOUT LIFE AND LIVING

The beautiful images of the orchids and flowers are taken from my garden and serves as a constant reminder of the perfection and imperfection of nature. They express the philosophy I try and incorporate in my life and my work.

My mother and I have always loved gardening and flowers, and orchids is one of our favourite flowers. My mother was a natural gardener, the original organic gardener, using rice water as a fertiliser.

According to the Buddha, flowers symbolise the cycle of life and death — the young bud matures into a beautiful blossom, then fades away quietly, returning to the earth to nurture new life.

Beyond their stunning beauty, orchids teach us important lessons about life and living:

• that change (impermanence) is inevitable, and in the nature of things

• that everything and everyone are inter-connected and deserving of equal respect and consideration

• that practicing gratitude for each present moment as it unfolds is the foundation for joy and happiness

• that if we can see clearly the beauty of a single flower, a single element, a single person, our attitude would be one of kindness and compassion.

 
 
 

THE VOICE TO PARLIAMENT--"WHAT IF IT IS FOUND NOT TO BE FIT FOR PURPOSE?"

“The Australian Constitution can only be changed in a process called a referendum. A referendum is a vote by Australians to decide if they will support or reject a bill–a proposed law – to change the Australian Constitution. A referendum will only be successful if it is supported by a majority of voters in a majority of states, and by a majority of voters across the nation as a whole (a double majority).”

The debate around the Voice has centred mainly around the details of what the Voice involves, and how it will be implemented practically.

I have a more fundamental question which in my view, appears not to have been addressed to date:

What if after the Voice is enshrined in the Constitution, it is found not to be “fit for purpose,” for whatever reasons?

The Constitution can only be changed as indicated above. This means that if the Voice needs to be amended/revised/removed for whatever reasons, we need another referendum to do so.

As the Prime Minister, Mr Albanese said “it would be a very brave government” that ignored a representation put to government by the new Indigenous body.”

It would take an even braver government, and the majority of States and voters to deal with the Voice should that eventuality arises.

I am not talking about the workings of Voice for the next decade or the next generation, but in perpetuity once it is enshrined in the constitution.

Like many Australians, I am in favour of the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander people in the preamble of the Constitution. But enshrining the Voice in the Constitution is a totally separate matter with serious implications for the country.

The Prime Minister and the government have a responsibility to govern for ALL Australians. As Australians, we have an equal responsibility to not burden future generations with an enshrined body that has far-reaching consequences, intended or otherwise.

I am not a racist just because I raise legitimate concerns about the Voice. I am a NATIONALIST who loves Australia as much as the next Australian. But I worry for Australia when we enshrine a body that has not been tried or tested. Like many Australians, I would need to know how the Voice is going to be dealt with if it is found or deemed not to be “fit for purpose.”

Book Review of “Am I a Tiger…?” In The Humanistic Psychologist (APA) March 13, 2023.

I am delighted to share a recent review of my “AM I A TIGER?” Below are excerpts from the review.

 The Humanistic Psychologist (American Psychological Association Journal)
Seth Zuiho Segall, PhD, USA—Clinical Psychologist & Author

https://lnkd.in/gkJzR3hH

It is no exaggeration to say that our culture is failing at transmitting the virtues and wisdom children need if they are to flourish as individuals and as contributing members of their families and communities. … We transmit virtue and wisdom to the young not only through parental instruction, modeling and reinforcement, and school instruction, but also through immersion in a culture's treasury of fables, sagas, legends, and adages.

 Khong's delightful new children's book, “Am I a Tiger?.. is a welcome addition to that treasury. The book, published during the Chinese Lunar Year of the Water Tiger, is the first of a dozen envisioned books-the "Lunar New Year Animal Mindful Adventures for Kids" Series.

 Readers of The Humanistic Psychologist are probably familiar with Khong's work as a psychologist. She has been producing academic papers integrating Eastern and Western psychology for the past 25 years … What readers may not know, however, are her prodigious gifts as a children's writer. Her “Am I a Tiger...?” seamlessly integrates whimsy, wisdom, and poetry, happily adorned by Kelsey Roy's charming and beautiful illustrations.

 The little tiger cub who is the protagonist of Khong's tale is on a quest all young children will easily identify with…. [H]e is out to discover his identity and the community he properly belongs to. .... The phoenix teaches him about courage born from mindful awareness and counsels him ... to "practice kindness" in all he does.

This is a tale only Khong could tell. Her experiences as a psychologist, mindfulness expert, Buddhist practitioner, mother, and grandmother shine through on every page … . The young tiger cub's final verse ("Differences are labels of the mind. ALL opposites are beautiful…") expresses the fundamental underlying harmony that is a quintessential feature of Chinese thought-and as Khong notes, of many other wisdom traditions as well.

 The book offers an important experiential guide for parents to help kids develop resilience and good mental health. The actress Michelle Yeah calls it "a heart­ warming introduction to positive values." According to Dr Scott D. Churchill, the author "brings her psychotherapeutic ingenuity and intergenerational insight to bear in this beautifully conceived book that is destined to become a classic of children's literature."

 The book contains explanatory notes about the Lunar New Year and a delightful zodiac calendar for readers to discover their own Chinese zodiac signs. This is a book that parents will enjoy reading to their children, and That children will cherish… [W]e can all look forward to the next 11 books in this series.