Allison Edwards

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 show more 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

Marcy's Having All the Feels is a wonderful little book about how children can handle emotions.

I like that the emotions were personified with little creatures. Happy is a pink creature, who Marcy really wants to find. This little girls feels a lot of emotions and doesn't always like them. Sadness is blue and makes her feel bad. And embarrassment makes an appearance too! All of the emotions come to Marcy throughout her days. But then one day... they disappear. And with that, Marcy learns some show more truly important messages about emotions.

This book is shockingly well written. Emotions can be very difficult to write about and I was nervous that it might portray having emotions as bad. But it didn't! It showed that they are normal, and yes indeed we chase happiness. When she didn't have any emotions, she just felt empty. It showed that emotions can be good. To be happy, you need all of the other emotions as well. Biggest point: emotions don't have to control you.

I definitely like this book and I think it's super intelligent. Good job Allison Edward on this magnificent book! All the awards to you!

I'd highly recommend parents and educators pick this book up. It's wickedly smart an has a truly important message and theme. It also has awesome pictures!

Five out of five stars!

Thank you NetGalley and National Center for Youth Issues for providing me a copy of this miraculous book! show less

I have to say this is one of the best books on managing anxiety for children that I have read. Whilst the title and the first chapter gives the impression that the whole book is only about anxiety in highly intelligent children, this is not the case. The author gives examples on the differences between how most children will worry compared with the same situation for gifted children. The situations and the techniques are for both. Most of the techniques are known to me, but there were a few show more new ones (makes it all worthwhile). As a psychologist who works with children, I can honestly say this will be one book I will be adding to my borrowing library for parents to read. I have already recommended it to several of the families I am currently working with. Well worth a read for parents as well as professionals. show less

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. show more Just self confidence boosters. show less