What to Do When You Worry Too Much

A kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety


Written by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D
Illustrated by Bonnie Matthews
Magination Press 2006 
ISBN 13: 978-1-59147-414-5
ISBN 10: 1-59147-314-4
Reviewed copy: my own

Back of book:
Did you know that worries are like tomatoes? No, you can't eat them, but you can make them grow, simply by paying attention to them. If your worries have grown so big that they bother you almost every day, this book is for you.

Back of book also describes how cognitive-behavioural techniques, metaphors and illustrations are used to help children address anxiety. 

More from Missus B
What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (What to Do Guides for Kids) is an excellent support tool for children who need help with fears, anxieties or worries.

The book comes with an informative introduction for adults, which explains a little about the cognitive-behavioural principles used and points about how anxiety can impact on a person.

Nine chapters include activities, pictures and information in an easy to understand format.

If you are a child who worries a lot, you know that worries can make your body feel bad. Worries can cause a sick feeling inside. They can make your stomach hurt, and make your head ache too. They can make you sweaty and cause your heart to pound. 

Children are encouraged to think about how anxiety impacts on them, or where in their body they
may carry their worries.

I love the use of metaphors in the book as they make the concepts easier for a child to grasp. Worries are compared to a tomato plant- once tended to, watered and given time the plant can grow strong and healthy. Anxieties are also described as being like  a 'worry bully' - they need to be stood up to and firmly told to go away.

What will you say to the worry bully on your shoulder?

The book suggests techniques for managing fears like naming/describing the worry, using logical thinking, setting aside a designated time for worrying or visualising worries being tightly locked away in a worry box.

Use logic against worries.....Move your body to re-set your system....Relax with a favourite memory

Importantly, it also suggests techniques a child can use to 're-set your system' or change how anxiety affects us physically.  Readers are encouraged to either  undertake a new activity or engage in relaxation.  

Think of a memory that makes you feel really good inside. Remember as many details as you can. What were you wearing? How did the air smell? What could you hear? How did you feel? What did you see? Draw or write about your special memory.

A great book for supporting  children, opening up discussion and offering practical tips for managing fear. (See resources for other useful info)
Happy reading,
Missus B
Book available at these affiliate links:
     

Resources:

• Check out Dawn Huebner's webpage
• For more support/info about anxiety in children check out WorryWiseKids.org or these 12 helpful tips written by Amy Przeworski in Psychology Today
• You may also be interested in these books : The Huge Bag of Worries and Worries Go Away!