on “Body Wisdom and the Polyvagal Theory”

“In Body Wisdom and the Polyvagal Theory, Autum Romano and her son, Foster, bring the essence of Polyvagal Theory to young children in an intuitive and engaging graphic presentation. Polyvagal Theory is about feelings and how we, as responsible parents, teachers, and clinicians, need to be accessible to our children, to witness their feelings, and to reassure them that they are safe by being with us. This little book illustrates that the capacity to acknowledge our bodily feelings and to respect our need to connect are the critical resources that enable us to shift from negative feelings to feelings of safety, trust, and love. Or, in Autum’s words, “our ticket back to feeling safe, happy, and curious is always inside a hug, a smile, or the hand of a loved one.”

-Stephen W. Porges, PhD Distinguished University Scientist, Indiana University Professor of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina