Author and Warren Hills Guidance Counselor Elizabeth Bracey shares her new book, Mount Evelynn Erupts!, during a library book talk with students at the high school. The 52-page book, published Aug. 26, explores the many challenges a main character, Evelynn, faces throughout her day and how she learns to handle the confusing emotions that arise as a result of unfortunate instances. In her book, Bracey provides tools – extension activities, a feeling word practice guide and the “Anger Volcano” – to help those struggling with mental health issues. “Like a volcano, our anger begins beneath the surface,” Bracey said. “Anger is a secondary emotion and beneath it are many other emotions that might be difficult to communicate. Over time, we store sadness, loss, traumas, and those ‘uncomfortable emotions’ until the pressure eventually becomes overwhelming and we explode.” Bracey said that she wants to communicate the message that all feelings are OK and no person should feel uncomfortable to share his or her emotions. Bracey’s book is geared towards parents, educators, social workers and mental health therapists in hopes that it can enable all ages to understand coping mechanisms for mental health. “It is certainly more of a tool than your nightly bedtime story,” she said of her book. Outside of school, Bracey also works as a therapist helping both children and teens process emotions, challenges, and events they may be facing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bracey decided the best way to spend her time was to take what she has learned from being a therapist and use it to construct her book. Mount Evelynn Erupts!, which is available on the Internet, including for $14.99 on the national Target store website, is designed to help both youths and adults cope with their mental health challenges and understand that it is OK to feel all feelings. (Photo courtesy of Catherine O’Neal)