Awards/Press
Book Awards
2019 Creative Child Magazine Book of the Year: Courageous Gilbert the Groundhog was named Book of the Year in the Kids’ Storybooks on Bullying category, selected by 60+ moms, educators, and early childhood professionals. 
2009 1st Place Purple Dragonfly Book Award: Awarded for originality, creativity, and excellence in children’s literature, innovation and design for children of all ages.
Beverly Hills Book Award Winner: Recognized for outstanding writing, presentation, and high-quality design across the entire book.
2017 CIPA EVVY Book Award Finalist: Honored by one of the longest-running indie publishing competitions, judged for quality, craftsmanship, and publishing excellence out of worldwide submissions.
2017 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Multiple Honors: The Eric Hoffer Award Honors the memory of the great American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting salient writing, as well as the independent spirit of small publishers internationally.
- Eric Hoffer Award Finalist
- da Vinci Eye Finalist for superior cover art
- Montaigne Medal Finalist for thought-provoking writing
Independent Press Award for Distinguished Favorite: Recognized in the Children’s Fiction category for excellence in writing, design, and overall presentation. 
Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist: Honored in the Children’s/Juvenile Fiction category for exceptional independently published work.
Nautilius Book Award Silver Medal: Awarded for crossing barriers of culture, gender race and class and for promoting conscious living, positive social change, and meaninful storytelling. 
Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Gold Medal: Winner in the Children: Grades K-3 category for exceptional storytelling and impact.
Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for Best in Children’s Interest: Honored for quality, content, engaging writing, and strong overall design. 
Mom’s Choice Award Winner: Recognized as a trusted resource for parents, educators, and therapists. Praised for helping children develop calming and self-regulating skills.
Book Reviews
Readers’ Favorite Review
Courageous Gilbert the Groundhog by Regina E. McCarthy is an adorable storybook for children. Gilbert had many interests. He was a great collector of toy cars, action figures, and lots of rocks, and he also enjoyed listening to music. There were many things Gilbert didn’t like – he did not like standing up in front of the class, he didn’t like being made fun of when he sang, and he didn’t like finding someone to sit with him for lunch. One day, while leaving school upset, he climbs an old oak tree. Readers see a friendship bond being developed between Gilbert and the old oak tree. The book conveys an excellent message to young readers and tells them the importance of deep breathing and that it is okay to express their feelings and emotions instead of hiding them.
To read the full review check out the PDF, here: Readers Favorite Book Review of Courageous Gilbert
Kirkus Review
There’s plenty of material available out there for kids about dealing with bullies, but this title goes beyond that particular situation to offer a guide to handling uncontrollable feelings by breathing, feeling, and practicing. Such guidance offers young and middle-grade readers a fantastic resource for learning how to cope with their problems at school or at home.
Reader’s Favorite – 5 Star Review
“The concept shared by the author is excellent as it helps build confidence in children. The illustrations are bright and lively and give a good pace and movement to the scenes and the story. The breathing techniques mentioned in the book can be practiced to ease tension and anxiety, and will help children release their emotions and fears instead of holding them inside. It’s an excellent book for interactive sessions in classrooms and school libraries, and can also be used for bedtime story-telling. Therapists, counselors, and educators can use the techniques in the book while working with kids. The book also speaks about the importance of mental health and the benefits of deep breathing.”
The Children’s Book Review
“Regina E. McCarthy’s experience as a Holistic Psychotherapist shines through in this fictitious story that is designed to educate children in a safe and enjoyable way about navigating emotions and standing up to bullies.
Anyone, ages 5 and up, that has trouble with emotions or that is experiencing bullying will feel empowered by Gilbert.Through his experiences they will be able to see themselves and hopefully begin their own path to self-confidence.”
In the Press
Local Author Helps Kids Find Voice, Courage to Stand Up to Bullies
October is national bullying prevention month, and one local author wants to help children of all ages find their voice and the courage to stand up to bullying.
Author and holistic psychotherapist Regina E. McCarthy was inspired by her own experiences growing up when she wrote “Courageous Gilbert the Groundhog.”
“I’d say that Gilbert is pretty much me,” McCarthy said. “As a kid, I had a hard time in fourth grade giving my book report to the class. I was certainly bullied and making friends was hard.”
Read the full story by clicking here.
Daily Herald – Sleepy Hollow resident integrates deep breathing, therapy techniques into children’s book
Regina McCarthy didn’t set out to write a children’s book.
As a trained holistic psychotherapist, McCarthy, 54, has spent her career in the social work field, helping people of all ages heal and work through tragedy. In the early 2000s, she opened her own practice, Blue Stone Healing Center in Elgin, where she blends traditional and innovative methods that focus on her clients’ mind, body, emotions and spirit.
For years, McCarthy’s husband would tell her, “You’ve got a story in you.” But the Sleepy Hollow resident never truly considered becoming an author until she woke up in the middle of the night with an idea.
“I’ve never had that happen to me before,” McCarthy said. “So I got up, got my laptop and started writing. I wrote all night long. I didn’t have the details. I just had the idea for the story.”