Journey to the Heart’s Garden
Follow Malachi and Malik through Prospect Park as they learn the 20 Relationship Competencies and discover how to care for themselves and others. This warm story nurtures empathy, resilience and friendship, encouraging children to plant the seeds of connection in their heart’s garden.
Journey to the Heart's Garden: Seeds of Friendship
Journey to the Heart's Garden: Seeds of Friendship invites children into a magical adventure where every seed holds the power to grow something beautiful.
Join Malachi and Malik in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, as they discover the
20 Relationship CompetenciesTM -simple yet powerful lessons that help kids nurture themselves, care for others, and celebrate friendship.
Blending wonder with everyday wisdom, this story plants seeds of empathy, resilience, and belonging that bloom as children grow.
A timeless treasure for children and parents, it sparks meaningful conversations while keeping joy and imagination at the heart of learning.
Every relationship begins with understanding and loving yourself.
What seeds will you plant in your heart's garden today?
Perfect for homes, classrooms, and group settings.
A Simple Way to Begin
This story is more than a book. It is a gentle, therapist-informed tool that helps children:
• Name and understand their emotions
• Build empathy and connection
• Practice healthy friendship skills
A beautifully illustrated, therapist-informed children's book that invites young readers into a journey of friendship, emotional growth, and meaningful connection—one they'll return to again and again.
Includes a complimentary Parent Resource Guide that extends the experience beyond the story.
Perfect For
Children ages 5–9
Families and caregivers
Classrooms and educators
School counselors and therapists
Libraries and youth organizations
Social-emotional learning (SEL)
Overview
Set in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Journey to the Heart's Garden: Seeds of Friendship follows Malachi and Malik as they discover the 20 Relationship Competencies™ through kindness, curiosity, and friendship. Through engaging storytelling and beautifully illustrated scenes, children are gently introduced to the foundational relationship skills that help them build empathy, strengthen emotional awareness, and develop healthy connections with others.
When the story ends, the journey continues. Children are invited to return to the beginning and discover one hidden heart on every page, transforming each reading into a new opportunity for observation, conversation, and connection.
Continue the Journey
Designed as a gentle extension of the story, the Parent Resource Guide helps families continue growing together through simple, meaningful moments.
Inside you'll discover:
Conversation prompts
Printable reflection activities
Co-regulation practices
Everyday connection ideas
Role-play scenarios
Practical social-emotional learning tools for home
