Sandy Hook mom publishes book on 10th anniversary of her son's tragic death

Choosing Love a Pathway to Flourishing - A Tribute to Jesse Lewis

Marking 10 years since the unimaginable tragedy of Sandy Hook, Scarlett Lewis, founder and Chief Movement Officer of Choose Love Movement, along with her mother Maureen Lewis, have published a powerful and inspiring book as a tribute to Jesse Lewis, Scarlett’s son.

During the massacre, Jesse saved the lives of nine of his classmates. He also provided the solution with three words he left on his kitchen chalkboard: nurturing, healing, love. This became the cornerstone for the Choose Love Movement, a character social-emotional development program in nearly 11,000 schools today.

To mark the tenth year since the tragedy, and the incredible success of the Choose Love Movement in making our world safer, kinder, and happier, Scarlett has published her first children’s book “Choosing Love -A Pathway to Flourishing.”

Her book serves as a complement to the Choose Love program, but also as a stand-alone resource to help children by providing the four key pillars of Choose Love in simple, engaging terms. Illustrated with beautiful watercolors by Jane Davidian, the book highlights key principles of Choose Love in clear accessible language.

As multiple studies have shown, today’s children have higher incidences of depression, anxiety, and difficulties in self-regulation and anger management. “Choosing Love - A Pathway to Flourishing” takes young readers through courage, forgiveness, gratitude, and compassion-in action. These are critical to children’s wellbeing and help them learn to choose love.

Ten years after the Sandy Hook tragedy, young people face even more challenges. Evidence shows the positive impact of programs like Choose Love. This book is another part of the solution. “Choosing Love - A Pathway to Flourishing” is a collection of life lessons that guide young readers to live a life with courage, gratitude, forgiveness and compassion-in-action.

“This December marks ten years since Jesse was so needlessly and violently killed. I knew immediately that if the shooter had access to social emotional learning, this tragedy would never have happened,” said Scarlett. “I feel Jesse’s spirit around me and he inspires me every day to be strong and share his message of love with the world. This book is a way that I can memorialize Jesse and share his message with children to help them be kinder and more connected with each other.”

Proceeds from the book will benefit the Choose Love Movement.

Choose Love programs are free and teach essential life skills to children and adults. It has grown organically over the last ten years, and now reaches 3.5 million children and adults in over 120 countries. Scarlett Lewis’ vision is to reach and positively impact 25 million people by 2025.

About the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement™

Jesse Lewis, a six-year-old first grader, was a victim of the Sandy Hook tragedy whose action saved the lives of nine classmates. Jesse left behind a message on a household chalkboard, “Nurturing Healing Love,” that became the inspiration for his mother, Scarlett, to found the Choose Love Movement.

The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a commitment to reach students, educators and individuals, nationally and internationally, and provide them with a simple, yet profound formula for choosing love. The Choose Love Programs are comprehensive, no cost, lifespan, next-generation social and emotional learning and character development programs. They teach children and adults how to choose love in any circumstance and help them become connected, resilient, and empowered individuals. These skills, tools and attitudes have been proven through decades of scientific research to be the best way to ensure a healthy, meaningful, and purpose-filled life.

Its signature program, Choose Love For Schools™, is a no-cost infant/toddler through 12th grade curriculum that contains the simple universal teachings of courage, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion-in-action – the foundational concepts of Character Social and Emotional Development. Choose Love For Home™, Choose Love For Communities™, and Choose Love For Athletes™ are also available. Choose Love programming is in all 50 states, 120 countries, and reaches over 3.5 million children.

For more information, please visit www.ChooseLoveMovement.org. Also visit on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

B
Submitted by Brookfield, CT

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next