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A review by abbyreads8
Can I Tell You about Anxiety?: A Guide for Friends, Family and Professionals by Polly Waite, Lucy Willetts
4.0
This book was kindly given to me for advanced review by the publisher. If you are interested in buying a copy, the book will be released on July 21, 2014.
Willetts and Waite’s story “Can I Tell You About Anxiety?” introduces reader to a young girl named Megan who struggles with an anxiety disorder. In a child-friendly way, the book explains the different types of anxiety disorders, how to help your friends with anxiety disorders, and ways that you can get help if you yourself struggle with an anxiety disorder.
The authors of this book do a fantastic job of explaining anxiety to children. I think the book is a great way to explain anxiety to children who struggle with anxiety - something to show them that (1) they are not “abnormal” and (2) they are not alone. The book can also serve as a good tool to explain anxiety to children who have friends or family members with anxiety disorders.
The illustrations really add to the book as well. The topic of mental health and anxiety disorders runs the risk of losing children’s interest- however, with the illustrations, visualizing an actual kid with the disorder brings the story to life for children.
The only part of the book I was unsure about had to do with the section regarding treatment. It used a lot of large words - definitely good for older children, but I don’t think that the target age range would really process that much information. I do appreciate the information, however, and understand that it is very difficult to explain such an extensive, complicated topic in a way that makes sense to younger children!
Overall, this is a marvelous children’s book. I will definitely be recommending this to my friends who work in mental health, education, and other fields that have to do with children. 4 stars!
Willetts and Waite’s story “Can I Tell You About Anxiety?” introduces reader to a young girl named Megan who struggles with an anxiety disorder. In a child-friendly way, the book explains the different types of anxiety disorders, how to help your friends with anxiety disorders, and ways that you can get help if you yourself struggle with an anxiety disorder.
The authors of this book do a fantastic job of explaining anxiety to children. I think the book is a great way to explain anxiety to children who struggle with anxiety - something to show them that (1) they are not “abnormal” and (2) they are not alone. The book can also serve as a good tool to explain anxiety to children who have friends or family members with anxiety disorders.
The illustrations really add to the book as well. The topic of mental health and anxiety disorders runs the risk of losing children’s interest- however, with the illustrations, visualizing an actual kid with the disorder brings the story to life for children.
The only part of the book I was unsure about had to do with the section regarding treatment. It used a lot of large words - definitely good for older children, but I don’t think that the target age range would really process that much information. I do appreciate the information, however, and understand that it is very difficult to explain such an extensive, complicated topic in a way that makes sense to younger children!
Overall, this is a marvelous children’s book. I will definitely be recommending this to my friends who work in mental health, education, and other fields that have to do with children. 4 stars!