The Worrying Worries – Rachel Rooney and Zehra Hicks (illustrator) – Affirm Press – Published September 2020

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Synopsis

Do you ever worry about your Worries?
They can be awful pests, and they hate to see you happy.
But if you follow some simple steps you can banish those worries for good!

My thoughts

The Worrying Worries is a wonderful story about what to do about those worries that seem to follow you around, the ones you just can’t shake.

The Worrying Worries is Rachel Rooney’s second similar picture book, following The Problem with Problems. Both are brightly illustrated by Zehra Hicks. I love how the illustrations resemble a child’s colourful drawings, especially the crayon circle worry creatures. This would be a great book to follow up with a craft and drawing activity, where students try to create their own similar illustrations.

In an era of mindfulness and awareness about mental health, The Worrying Worries is the perfect classroom or library book to introduce mindfulness to students.  Our main character explains how the worries are following them around, feeding on fears, and nibbling on fingernails. I particularly liked the part where the Worry “sipped my salty tears.”

He then starts to explore different methods of getting rid of his worries. I liked that it covers a range of methods and gives readers practical ideas, like going for a walk.

This is a sweet book with an important message. It is perfectly timed, as it seems our young people have even more to worry about these days and this book is very approachable for young readers.

Find more about the author on her website.

More information

Category: Children’s fiction

Themes: Mental health, worrying, mindfulness.

Reading age guide: Ages 4 to 9

Published: 29 September 2020 by Affirm Press.

Format: Hardcover. 32 pages.

ISBN: 9781922400161

Find it on Goodreads