This book is so special to me because I wrote it with my daughter who is a children’s librarian. The two of us always dreamed of writing together—and here’s our first try! Part of the Little Laugh & Learn® series, Hi, Worry. Bye, Worry! offers children ages 6-9 simple yet effective tools to cope with and work through worry, beginning with acknowledging worry and inviting it in—for a little while (and with a smile). The friendly illustrations by Steve Mark will make kids laugh as they learn a range of healthy, empowering worry-taming strategies. Kids can read the book on their own or with an adult, discovering tools that improve mental, physical, and emotional health. Best of all, this little self-help book can be shared with friends to support each other during tough times.
Gr 2-5–A whimsical and accessible guidebook for children experiencing anxiety. This primer portrays worry as a giant dinosaur wearing a hat and pearls. It assures readers that worry is a part of everyone’s daily life, but there are simple tools and actions that they can use and do to calm worry down. The work provides kid-friendly and doable advice, such as creating a worry jar or a comfort cave, making art by doodling or dancing, or sharing with a trusted adult. The engaging line drawings are often silly with bright colors presenting children of all races, religions, and abilities. The characters’ expressive faces feature big, googly eyes, adding to the book’s reassuring tone. One chapter focuses on the importance of mindfulness and keeping the body healthy—cutting down on sugar and screen time, getting plenty of sleep, and incorporating more movement and activity into daily life. The emphasis on gratitude and seeing the good in everything will especially ring true. The narrative never talks down to kids and rarely uses advanced vocabulary, though a glossary of new terms is included in the back matter. VERDICT: This guide is a great choice for elementary SEL shelves and curriculum and respects its audience. —Shelley Diaz
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