What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety

What to Do When You Worry Too Much is an interactive self-help book designed to guide 6-12 year olds and their parents through the techniques most often used in the treatment of generalized anxiety. Metaphors and humorous illustrations make difficult concepts easy to understand, while prompts to draw and write help children to master new skills related to reducing anxiety. Engaging, encouraging, and easy to follow, this book educates, motivates, and empowers children to work towards change. Includes a note to parents by psychologist and author Dawn Huebner, Ph.D.

Children's Literature

This interesting workbook is one of two "What to Do" guides to help children recognize feelings of anxiety and practice new ways of handling their worries. Designed to be used with an adult—a parent, preferably—it begins by explaining to adults that worry is a pattern of behavior that can be changed through practice and that they can help facilitate that change by helping their child identify ways of coping with stress. The book's 12 short chapters are interactive and progress from defining worry and anxious behavior to recognizing it in oneself to offering alternatives. Illustrated with cartoon-like drawings, the book offers plenty of exercises to engage the child and uses an understanding tone that is all positive reinforcement. The suggestions and exercises are ones that can be revisited as needed. For more serious issues, the author suggests that the book be used in conjunction with professional counseling. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger, Ph.D.