Book Review
A short overview of this book
Is a Worry Worrying You? by Ferida Wolff is a book that will help kids to understand that we all worry and that we don’t have to deal with problems alone. This is an important conversation to have, as it lets kid’s know that if something happens (like inappropriate sexual touch) that they can tell someone.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 4 to 8 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Is a Worry Worrying You? by Ferida Wolff from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue, I’m Cath Hak, your friendly sex educator. On my YouTube channel and website, I share book reviews and resources to help you talk to kids about sex education. Today, I want to talk about a book called Is A Worry Worrying You by Ferida Wolff and Harriet Maisavettes.
Now, this book has been around for quite a while, and the illustrations are a bit dark to match the serious topic of worry. But here’s why I think it’s important to include it in sex education discussions. You see, part of teaching kids about sex education and keeping them safe from sexual abuse is helping them understand their feelings. Sometimes, kids experience things that make them worry, like someone touching them inappropriately or seeing something that confuses them. They might not even recognize that it’s worry or know what to do about it, so they keep it to themselves. And let me tell you, that can be really tough for a child.
That’s where books like this come in handy. They not only help kids who are already worried, but also those who haven’t encountered anything worrisome yet. It’s important for kids to know that sometimes things happen that might make them worry, but they can always talk to someone they trust, like their mom, a teacher, or a sibling. These trusted adults can offer support and guidance. You see, no matter how hard we try, we can’t keep our children 100% safe. Instead, we need to equip them with the skills to reach out for help if something does happen.
Let’s take a quick look at the book. As I mentioned, the colors and illustrations are a bit dark, but that’s to reflect the feeling of worry. The book starts by explaining what a worry is – it’s like a thought that stops you from having fun and feeling good. It’s invisible, so you can’t really find it. Then it gives examples like what if you don’t have enough lemonade for 100 elephants who come to tea? Or what if you’re feeling tired? The book shows that worries can make a perfect day seem gloomy, and it’s normal for everyone to have worries, even parents and teachers.
The book cleverly compares worries to unwanted guests, like Uncle Herman who overstays his welcome. It emphasizes that worries can be as big or small as you make them. But here’s the best part – the book also offers strategies to get rid of worries. Kids can imagine putting them away or mailing them off. They can even hide worries in the closet while they have fun. These strategies are similar to what psychologists use, and they can really help kids manage their worries better.
Overall, Is A Worry Worrying You is a great book to start conversations about worry and anxiety. It gives kids permission to share their worries with someone they trust and provides them with practical ideas to manage those worries. If your child is worried about something at school or anxious about a test, reading this book together can be a helpful way to discuss ways to feel less worried.
I hope this review has been helpful. Remember, we’re here to support you in navigating these important conversations with your kids. Cheers!
