Worry Says What? (Truth Tellers)

by Allison Edwards

Paperback, 2018

Status

Available

Call number

152.46

Collections

Children's Books, Flint/ Genesee

Publication

Natl Center for Youth Issues (2018), 32 pages

Description

Allison Edwards, author of the best-selling book Why Smart Kids Worry, gives a glimpse into the ways worry whispers to young minds, and offers a powerful tool all children can use to silence those fears. "Worry's songs tie my tummy up in knots, and the things he says make my heart beat very fast. Sometimes he speaks in a whisper, and other times his voice gets so loud I can't hear anything else." Worry and anxiety are currently the top mental health issues among children and teens. Children have a number of worries throughout childhood that will come and go. The problem is not with the worries themselves, but that children believe the worries to be true. With a relatable story and beautiful artwork, Worry Says What? will help children (and adults) flip their thinking when anxious thoughts begin and turn them into powerful reminders of all they are capable of accomplishing.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member PardaMustang

Worry Says What? by Allison Edwards is an adorable picture book for kids about anxiety and how to deal with it. Worry is a fluffy monster who lives in the mind, and Whispers fretful things like 'you can't do this’ or 'people don't like you’. The more you listen options worry, the bigger it

gets. But if you believe in yourself, and pay attention to what is actually going on, then worry diminishes. This is a great book to teach kids the value of mindfulness, and using affirmations to lessen worry. It presents a realistic view of things, too, by noting that worry may grow less, but it never completely goes away. I read this with my cubs and we all enjoyed it. It prompted a lot of discussion, too, as I suffer from generalized anxiety, managed by medication, and all of the worries listed in this book were amplified a hundredfold when I was a child. I have one in the family nearly as fretful as I was. A book, teacher, or family member with a grounding in mindfulness and affirmation may have helped mitigate the anxiety in my childhood, and bolstered confidence at a critical age. I think this is a great addition to any classroom, or child's personal library, teaching necessary skills in a fun way. Highly recommended!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and the National Centre for Youth Issues for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Show Less

2 more

LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan

A great story. Worry is a fuzzy monster in this tale. He whispers into his little girls head and tells her she cant do things, that things are scary, etc. Until our girl makes a plan to stop listening to Worry and show him the door. I love how the author has taken an idea or emotion and made it a

living thing that can be talked to and seen. And sometime to stand up to and conquer. Plus, it isn’t hitting the reader on the head again over and over and over, with steps to make him go away. Just self confidence boosters.

Show Less

LibraryThing member Carlathelibrarian

In this story, Worry is a monster who lives in the main characters head. It comes out at various times such as when she takes a test or wants to play with others. Worry speaks and shouts at her saying things like, "It's too hard" or "They don't like you, they think you're weird" and so on. This

poor girl can't sleep and is afraid to do much of anything. She begins to use self-talk to drown out the messages from the Worry Monster.

Again, this seems like a pretty simple answer to a very big problem, but it is a start. Self-talk is a great way to overcome worry, frustration, anxiety etc. The thing is, it is something that needs to be taught if you have a child with severe anxiety issues. Allison Edwards has done a great job writing this book using and imaginative concept of worry as a monster. It is good to note that as we teach children monsters are not real, this could transfer to their worries as well. The situations in this book are simple ones that all children deal with, and this book could be used by parents, teachers and caregivers to deal with those simple worries. I think it would take more for a child with stronger anxiety who thinks about other things such as someone dying, fires, storms etc. I like the fact that this book helps teach children about how to deal with being worried about normal things as that is a fact of life. I also enjoyed the illustrations. The Worry Monster was great and gives the reader something real to look at. The young girl showed expressions throughout the story that could be discusses showing her confidence build. Overall, “Worry Says What?” is a good book about dealing with your worries that would be beneficial in families and classrooms where it is normal to have children with these issues. At the back there are three tips to helping your child overcome worry that reiterate what is taught in the story. The National Center for Youth Issues generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

Show Less

Fewer