I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Yes. This book is great at explaining social anxiety (and really just anxiety). I think it breaks it down in a way kids can understand. The pictures are great too.

We all know someone like Hector, but as a teacher I see more and more children whose anxiety paralyzes them. This book is a great resource for younger students. Besides, who doesn't love a hedgehog?

Thank you to NetGalley for a free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a super cute book about worrying. The art is great and the story has a good message of learning to let go and face fears. The book gives good insight in to children and adults and is an enjoyable read.

This is one of the best children's books I have read so far this year. I appreciate that anxiety is being talked about in a way that children can understand their own feelings, as well as the feelings of others who suffer from anxiety. This is a must-read for children and adults alike.

This is a great book for children and adults alike! Poor Hector the Hedgehog worries a lot about everything--eventually his anxiety begins to interfere with his life and friendships. This book shows children (and adults) that oftentimes our fears are unfounded, but for those who need a little extra help the authors have kindly added some resources at the end! Overall this is a really nice book.

5★
“But then Hector began to worry.

. . . He worried about the music.
What if it’s too loud?’ he thought.

He worried about the dancing.
‘What if I can’t dance?’ he thought.

. . . ‘I will have to say I’m too busy to go,’ sighed Hector, and he decided to go to bed.”

Hector is the most delightful little hedgehog, snuggled under his blanket on the couch with a cup of tea and a book. Perfect, right? Well, yes, as far as that goes. But when friends try to entice him outside to do things, he hesitates.

The words are simple and would make good dialogue for kids to read aloud. The artwork is appealing and colourful.

Of course it has a happy ending – it’s a children’s picture book! The author is hardly going to turn this happy little hedgehog into a hermit, is she?

This is published by the American Psychological Association, and as with Rooks’s previous book about feelings, A Box of Butterflies, (reviewed here with illustrations: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), there is a long professional afterword for adults and teachers, explaining strategies to use for children with anxiety and similar conditions.

“Julia Martin Burch, PhD, is a staff psychologist at the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program at McLean Hospital in Boston. Dr. Martin Burch completed her training at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She works with children, teens, and parents, and specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety, obsessive compulsive, and related disorders.”

This is another of those books that should be in every school or location where young children may be needing some help. Even adults will enjoy it. [I’m a lot like Hector, except I’m just a “sociable recluse” rather than a worrier. But sometimes, many of us need a gentle prompt. My dad used to say things like “You’re going to enjoy yourself whether you like it or not!” And he was usually right.]

Many thanks to NetGalley and the APA and the author for the preview from which I’ve copied these screenshots. #HectorsFavoritePlace #NetGalley

My Goodreads review includes four illustrations with the following captions.
1. Hector happy at home
2. Hector invited to play in the snow but too worried about getting the flu
3. Hector anxiously talking himself out of a party invitation
4. Hector, a happy little hedgehog having fun with friends!

This was a great book! Hector loves being home and enjoying his familiar routine. When his friend invites him to go play in the snow, his first reaction is to be excited, but then the worries crumple in and he needs to cancel. One day, he decides to be brave enough to attempt a special event and learns that by enjoying himself with his friends, his worries little by little go away. The illustrations are charming and the text is well narrated. I highly recommend it!

How cute.. I've started reading stories to my baby to be as I'm 8 months pregnant. This book was precious. The art was great and hector really struggled in the beginning with learning to let go and face his fears and worry but he did it and realized it wasn't as bad as he thought. Great little story for children who are having similar fears or worries .

A shy and introverted hedgehog with great friends

Like many introverts, Hector the Hedgehog’s favorite place is home. In his cozy and safe house, Hector can read, snuggle in bed, play the piano, and paint. However, Hector also has a lot of kind and fun friends who want to play in the snow, ice skate, and attend winter bashes. Although all of these suggestions excite Hector, his mind starts buzzing with worries. What if the hot chocolate is too hot? What if he forgot how to skate and falls, and what if he catches the flu? OMG, WHAT IF?!

So much fun but so many imagined dangers

Hector’s troublesome dilemma worsens as he begins worrying about his worrying. Like most chronic anxiety sufferers, he cannot sleep at night. Admirably, instead of grabbing the medicine bottle or misusing NyQuil, Hector takes charge of his situation. In an act of sheer bravery, Hector decides he will attend a party because he doesn’t want to make his friends sad. He throws on his best bow tie, perks up, and shyly but courageously sneaks up to the dance floor. While the world is pretty intimidating, Hector imagines the life he wants. Suddenly, his foot is tapping to the music, and he is having a blast.

All worries aside, Hector decides that outside with his friends is just as nice as his home. Even when he falls on the ice, Hector realizes that he can get right back up. Being a rolly polly hedgehog helps. At the end of the night, Hector decides that he wants to have more moments like this party instead of being antisocial and scared.

Who will find solace and suggestions in Hector’s moral?

Illustrated with adorable watercolors and colored pencils, Hector and his wintery home depict an array of joyful colors and a world awaiting adventures. There is repetition in Hector’s responses to each friend’s invitation as well as his initial excitement followed by anxiety, which is perfect for pre-school to 2nd graders. Heck, as an adult, even I can appreciate the consistent message and lesson here.

As one of many great picture books about mental health, Hector’s Favorite Place will speak to families in need of support for anxious and scared children who just need a boost of confidence and bravery. Unique to this title, Magination Press is an imprint of the American Psychological Association. The ending is filled with adult resources for how to tackle an anxious and shy child. Truly one of my favorite mental health picture books this year, I highly recommend picking up a copy.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Magination Press for providing me with a free advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The full review will post by October 12 on theuncorkedlibrarian.com at https://theuncorkedlibrarian.com/picture-books-about-mental-health/

This is a great book and I feel fortunate to have received it. The pictures are very well illustrated and I love Hector the Hedgehog so much. What a great character for teaching kids (and some adults) to worry less and get out and try life. Hector places is safe a little too often. He worries a lot and doesn’t leave his house much. This opens a great discussion for parents, teachers, caregivers to talk to children about fears and worries. The section in the book from the American Psychological Association about how to talk to children is outstanding.

Many thanks to the publisher via NetGalley, and Jo Rooks for a digital copy to review. Highly recommended. I will get a copy for my classroom!

We could all learn a lesson from Hector. This book gives great insight to children but also to adults. Often times parents/caregivers may not want to let their children do certain activities because they are afraid of what bad things “might” happen.

This book brings us on Hector’s journey as he deals with his internal conflicting thoughts as to whether or not he should go out and enjoy certain activities.. He finds himself held back by his fears, meanwhile his friends are all having fun and enjoying life.

Eventually Hector pushes himself to go outside his comfort zone and he learns that being afraid of what may happen is stopping him from truly living his life.

I thought this book had a great story, was easy for a child to follow, and I loved the illustrations as well!

I loved the illustrations in this book about not letting anxiety keep you from enjoying life and having fun with friends. There is good information in the back of the book for parents and caregivers on helping children cope with worries.

Hector's favorite place is at home. He likes his books and his stuff. He knows he is safe there. Hector is a worrier. He likes to hear about his friends’ news and wants to do fun things with them but there’s always a "what if" that stands in the way of him joining in with their outside fun. The more Hector missed out, the more he realized that he had to be brave and try new things. Having a grandchild with anxiety issues, it is not that easy, but this is a great book to open a discussion about what Hector could do. Hector learns that once he’s outside of his comfort zone most of the things he was worried about didn’t happen. Hector becomes more confident, knowing he can have fun with his friends, and looks forward to spending more time with them.

The illustrations are cute and by using animals rather than people to tell the story my grandson was engaged and more verbal about what Hector needed to do. We talked about what would you do if you were Hector, and he was able to verbalize some solutions that would work in his own life, like having his parents go with him. At the end of the story there are ‘Notes to Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals’. This is a good addition to the book as it provides practical suggestions for adults who are in a position to make a positive impact on anxious children. Some of the topics are: Address the worry, Model & Practise, Praise effort ....

All children have a certain amount of worry and anxious feelings about new things, so this book could be read to a group of children or individuals before a new activity to head off tears or foot dragging. A great addition to family libraries where a child has anxiety issues. The publisher, Magination Press, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

Hector's Favorite Place by Jo Rooks sends such a positive and important message to young readers.

This is a story about hedgehog named Hector who has many friends who invite him to different outings. However Hector always comes up with an excuse not to go somewhere and not to do something because he worries that something bad might happen.

So crucial to teach children not to give up on things without even trying and how crippling insecurity and worry can be and how it can deprive us of fabulous things happening to us.

Beautiful illustrations just add to the charm and importance of this book. I especially liked the simple voice and manner it was written in yet managed to convey and immensely vital idea.

I cannot say how adorable this book is enough. I think that anyone who suffers from anxiety or fear will find this book a great comfort. I think most children can benefit from reading this book just to understand how hard it is to live with anxiety.

This precious hedgehog in “Hector’s Favorite Place” is a happy homebody, but too anxious to go out with friends. He wants to go, but worries about every little thing — will he get lost to a party, where the hot chocolate might be too hot, the music too loud, or he might forget how to dance? But he talks himself into going, despite his fears, and has a blast. “All of a sudden, Hector realized that his feet were tapping ... his prickles were swaying (😁) ... and before he knew it ... he was dancing!” Beautifully illustrated with an important message about facing down fears. Includes a section for adults with simple tips for helping children manage anxiety. Highly recommended for littles and big-gins alike!

Pub date: August 13, 2018

Grateful to NetGalley and the American Psychological Association’s Magination Press for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#Hector'sFavoritePlace #NetGalley

This was a great book about social anxiety and being nervous in new situations. Hector is super cute as are all his friends.

I really like that there is a section after for parents and teachers about how to help a child deal with extreme nervousness in new situations.

Hector’s Favorite Place is a fair conversation starter for young children who struggle with anxiety. It is a kind depiction of a sympathetic character who learns to try new things and has a positive outcome.

I gave the book four stars because it deserves to be seen and read with children, but I also think, story-wise it was missing solid motivation. After several pages, several days, of not engaging, Hector has a change of heart because he “knew deep down that his worries were stopping him… He realized he had to be brave.”

This is convenient and allows the story to continue, but it requires the reader (or listener) to be satisfied by a self-motivated internal shift.

Depending on the level of anxiety a child carries, this may be ideal, especially when all the things Hector worried about are addressed and turn out fine.

There are talking points and parent-education in the back of the book, where caregivers are told about ways to help their anxious child, and quietly warned about reassuring too much. It even describes how to wean the child (with their knowledge and understanding) off reassurances, with the goal of being able to self soothe.

This book looks like it could be used as an introduction, but I wouldn’t expect it to be as useful for an older child who expects a solid chain of observable action in their stories. I think it will be appreciated by its target audience, I just think that target will be narrow.

(My thanks to Net Galley and Magination Press for the digital review copy.)

Hector’s favourite place is the same as mine - home. Both of our homes have books in them so why would we want to leave?! Well, actually Hector is a worrier and that’s why he’s most comfortable at home. He likes to hear about his friends’ news and wants to do fun things with them but there’s always a ‘what if’ that stands in the way of him venturing into the great outdoors.

“Hector knew deep down that his worries were stopping him from going and enjoying himself. He realized he had to be brave.”

Hector learns that once he’s outside of his comfort zone most of the things he was worried about didn’t happen after all and those that did weren’t as bad as he thought they’d be. Hector becomes more confident, knowing he can have fun with his friends, and looks forward to spending more time with them.

The illustrations are cute and by using animals rather than people to tell the story I was more engaged. I love books that help kids gain confidence and hope this story helps some worriers to be brave like Hector.

At the end of the story there are ‘Notes to Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals’. This was a highlight for me as it includes practical tools for adults who are in a position to make a positive impact on anxious children. Information is provided under the following headings:
* Address the worry (if you can)
* Model and practice
* Try something new
* Resist reassurance seeking
* Praise effort and bravery, and
* Seek support.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Magination Press, an imprint of the American Psychological Association, for the opportunity to read this book.

I had a fun time reading Hectors Favorite Place. He is an animal who lets all kinds of worries and fears prevent him from leaving his comfy home. Yet one day he decides to take a chance, and he doesn’t regret it one bit. It changes him, and his outlook on life will never be the same.