Testimonials
The story of Piggie Bear and the Piggie Bear plush will provide needed comfort to the children under our care at the Bob Murphy Emergency Family House. The families we care for at Illumination Foundation have endured hardship, poverty, food insecurity, housing insecurity and trauma. Piggie Bear will be a new and soft friend that can provide a cheerful respite and ray of hope to children that have had little of either. For children especially, the stigma of homelessness goes straight to their hearts and minds as they live in a world of uncertainty and despair. Piggie Bear plush and the Piggie Bear book explains and shows these children that they are not alone - they have a friend that speaks to them in a safe and comforting language. Piggie Bear is a symbol of a new beginning for the children we serve.
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Terry Campbell
Illumination Foundation
​Piggie Bear is an adorable character that helps teach young children that we are all unique. Piggie Bear identifies and encourages acceptance of a range of emotions as well as demonstrates ways to breathe and express those emotions. Every child should have a Piggie Bear to love.
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Adrienne Matros, Psy.D.
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This book conveys the message that by relaxing and doing some special breathing and self hugs, negative feelings begin to melt away, leaving room for a positive self image. The Power of Piggie Bear is a gift for those who want to help children learn how to get through challenging times.
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Kimberly G
Mom and Verified Amazon Purchaser
This morning when I dropped my 6 year old son off at school, he said, mom if I feel sad today at school, I will give myself a big Piggie Bear hug. I really loved the book!! Thank you so much!!
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L.L.
Parent

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It can often be a challenge for children to find the right words to express what is going on inside. Hearing Piggie Bear express these feelings makes it relatable. The Power of Piggie Bear is a wonderful, heartfelt approach to giving children tools for dealing with their feelings and developing self-acceptance.
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Debbie Hutchinson
Psy.D., MFT
Mara James has taken a key principle of developmental psychology and turned it into an easily digestible and entertaining story for young children. Piggie Bear provides a model for young children to begin naming and coping with difficult emotions, central ingredients of mental health. Until they learn to show themselves self-compassion, Piggie Bear can do it for them.
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Jessica Borelli, Ph.D
Associate Professor, UC Irvine
This is such a cute and meaningful book. If we can get books like this in children’s hands at a younger age, it can help them deal with their feelings in their later years.

Lea Romo
Director of Development, Child Abuse Prevention Center



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Who is Piggie Bear™?

Piggie Bear is the main character of “The Power of Piggie Bear”, a children’s book written by ELF founder, Mara James. Piggie Bear is part bear, part pig and she helps children develop their Emotional Intelligence (EQ). There are five main teachings that Piggie Bear children to express their emotions and feel empowered. Piggie Bear teaches children the following five tools:
  1. Piggie Bear teaches how to identify emotions
  2. Piggie Bear teaches self-calming skills
  3. Piggie Bear teaches empowering words
  4. Piggie Bear teaches self-love
  5. Piggie Bear teaches self-acceptance

The Piggie Bear™ Book

ELF donates copies of “The Power of Piggie Bear” to children’s hospitals, foster children and children that have been abused. The book is currently available in English and Spanish. A Power of Piggie Bear curriculum for Kindergarten is coming soon!
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ELF aims to raise awareness of mental health challenges and be part of the solution to empower children everywhere. By spreading Piggie’s Bear’s powerful lessons, we can help boost self esteem and help children manage their emotions in a fun and loving way.

The Piggie Bear™ Plush

We have partnered with Build-A-Bear to create the Piggie Bear stuffed animal. Soft and cuddly, the stuffed animal will provide comfort to any child needing a little TLC. The plush is designed to complement Piggie Bear’s teachings from the book and reinforce positive emotional skills. Like the book, Piggie Bear will be available to purchase or donate from our website shortly!

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