Book

When My Worries Get Too Big

by Kari Dunn Buron

📖 Overview

When My Worries Get Too Big is a self-help workbook designed for children who experience stress and anxiety. The book provides tools and strategies to help young readers recognize and manage their emotions. The interactive format includes rating scales, exercises, and fill-in sections that guide children through understanding their stress triggers and physical responses. Through simple text and illustrations, readers learn to identify their personal relaxation techniques and coping methods. This book employs a strengths-based approach that emphasizes self-awareness and emotional regulation skills. The practical strategies can be implemented at home, school, or other settings where children face challenges. The work stands as a bridge between clinical anxiety management techniques and children's daily experiences, making complex emotional concepts accessible to young minds. Its focus on empowerment and self-advocacy creates a foundation for long-term emotional resilience.

👀 Reviews

Parents and educators report this book helps children identify and rate their anxiety levels while providing practical calming strategies. Teachers note it works well for students ages 5-10, particularly those with autism or anxiety disorders. Likes: - Visual rating scale helps kids communicate stress levels - Concrete examples and solutions kids can understand - Interactive format allows personalization - Simple language and clear illustrations - Includes notes for parents/teachers Dislikes: - Some find it too basic for older children - A few mention the art style looks dated - Limited strategies focused mainly on deep breathing - Several note it's brief for the price Ratings: Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,200+ reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (280+ ratings) Notable review: "This book gave my son language to express his anxiety and tools to manage it. The rating scale was a game-changer for our family." - Amazon reviewer "Too simplified for middle schoolers but perfect for young elementary students" - Teacher on Goodreads

📚 Similar books

What to Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner This step-by-step guide teaches children cognitive behavioral techniques to manage anxiety through metaphors and drawings.

Hey Warrior by Karen Young This book explains the brain science behind anxiety and provides strategies for children to recognize and cope with their body's fight-or-flight response.

The Worry Box by Suzanne Chiew The story follows a mouse who learns to manage worries by writing them down and placing them in a special box.

Jack's Worry by Sam Zuppardi A child learns to handle pre-performance anxiety through simple coping mechanisms and support from his mother.

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival The narrative presents worry as a visible creature that grows smaller when shared with others, helping children understand the importance of expressing their feelings.

🤔 Interesting facts

🌟 Kari Dunn Buron taught in Minneapolis public schools for more than 30 years, working extensively with students on the autism spectrum. 📚 The book uses a unique 5-point scale to help children measure their anxiety levels, making abstract feelings more concrete and manageable. 🎨 All illustrations in the book were specifically designed to be inclusive and relatable to children of various backgrounds and abilities. 🌍 The book has been translated into several languages and is used in schools and therapy settings across multiple continents. 🏆 Kari Dunn Buron received the Autism Society of America's Outstanding Literary Work of the Year award for her contributions to autism education and literature.