Turn Me Orange Pleaseeeee: A Story of Impatience, Living in the Moment, and the Magic of Perfect Tim

Supporting emotional resilience, no matter what a child is going through-whether they're learning new academic skills, navigating friendships, trying a new sport, coping with health issues, adjusting to change, building self-esteem, managing big emotions, or simply waiting to grow up!

Turn Me Orange Pleaseeeee is a children's book written by Elaine Minionis that tells the sweet and funny story of Ralph, an impatient and worried green pumpkin who wants nothing more than to turn orange-right now!

Always distracted and never quite in the moment, Ralph sets out on a journey of self-discovery... though he's far too busy thinking about his color to notice much else. As he travels through the seasons, he keeps missing the wonders of the changing world around him. His friend, the wise Sun, tries to help, but Ralph is determined to ditch his youthful green. He tries everything-washing himself with water, meditating, begging, even asking a pigeon to peck away his shade! But nothing works... until one day at the local harvest fair, a girl named Ada crosses his path. And with her, everything begins to shift!

Turn Me Orange Pleaseeeee thoughtfully tackles our modern-day "rush to nowhere"-the constant hurry that sweeps up even the youngest among us. Through playful language and humorous moments, this book reminds children (and adults too!) that there's value in every stage of life, no matter how long or short it may seem. Everything happens in its own time. Change takes patience, and sometimes, the most wonderful transformations bloom when we slow down, breathe, and enjoy exactly where we are.

Maybe, in the end, learning to be present is the most powerful change of all.

✅ This book is perfect for:

• • Ages 3-8.
  • Teaching patience and how to slow down in a playful way.
  • Supporting emotional resilience, no matter what a child is going through.
  • Helping children manage frustration when things don't happen as fast as they want.
  • Easing anxiety about growing up or "not being ready" like others.
  • Social-emotional learning (SEL) in early childhood education.
  • Encouraging self-acceptance, especially for kids who feel "different".
  • Practicing letter recognition, due to its oversized font!
  • Parents & teachers looking for tools to talk about self-esteem, impatience, individuality and self-worth.
  • Preparing children for transitions, like starting school or turning a new age.
  • Fall-themed storytime around pumpkins, harvest, and changing seasons.
  • Non-scary Halloween or autumn reading.
  • Bedtime reading that comforts and inspires.