Cover Image: Facing Mighty Fears About Health

Facing Mighty Fears About Health

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

*3.75/5

Not a bad idea.
I appreciate how this book tries to answer the questions children might have in regards to their health and doctors, and ease their fears as well.
I also enjoyed the cute illustrations.

But to be honest, besides me appreciating the concept and enjoying the art, this book didn't do much for me. But I get how caregivers may find it useful in order to help the little ones.

Was this review helpful?

I really appreciate how easy this is to read. I like that there are plenty of small illustrations that break up the text instead of it just being a solid block of text, which can be intimidating for some early readers.

Was this review helpful?

Facing Mighty Fears about Health features lots of facts and strategies for dealing with health-related fears. The illustrations were black and white but helped aid the text. The book features lots of different types of anxieties a child may have, and ways to deal with them.

Was this review helpful?

When I was young, I could worry. A book like this one would have been incredibly helpful. I highly recommend it as a resource for kids and their adults. It will help children to understand what they are experiencing when they worry about their health and will offer them help in coping. Kids will learn why they feel these panicky alarms and how to deal with them in four helpful steps.

There are additional sections in the book to help adults in taking with children about this book. In addition, there is a resource section included.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for this title. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This wonderful book helps teach children that they don't need to be afraid of their body and health. Our bodies are marvelous vessels and are doing 1000's of things without us knowing each day to protect us. This book is also great for big kids too! I had no idea my heart beats 100,000 times a day!!!

Was this review helpful?

Facing mighty fears about health by dawn huebner is basically a self-help guide for children with anxiety. As someone who struggles with anxiety and my health and always has, I think this is a good informative book for children with hypochondria

Was this review helpful?

The "Facing Mighty Fears" series by Dawn Huebner features a fantastic set of non-fiction books which aim to support children who suffer from anxiety in an non-intimidating and interesting way. Each page has simple illustrations, short paragraphs and interesting facts like the number of bones in a cat or quotes from famous people. There are also simple and straight forward strategies that children can use to counteract anxiety with clever names or acronyms like W.I.N. or steps in a staircase.

Facing Might Fears about Health really focuses in on the amygdala and how it works as sort of an alarm system. The book explains how this can be a good and bad thing and uses metaphors such as a smoke detector that I think are very well thought out. Even as an adult, I think that this metaphor could be helpful when facing my own anxiety, so I know that this would work really well for children. I love how well written this story is and how approachable the author has made this subject. There is also a list of ideas that could be new things to try. There is a note to caregivers with examples and suggestions as well as a list of resources. The illustrations are very inclusive, children in different cultural clothing, wheelchairs or other unique attributes are featured throughout the story.

I could 100% see myself using the books in this series in my Grade 3 classroom. I would recommend them to parents of anxious children. I could also see using a page or two as part of a small group or whole class mental health lesson, or just to offer to children who could use new strategies. This book could also be used by parents and guidance counsellors as well as teachers of children ages approximately 5 to 10, maybe others as well depending on developmental levels.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book! I can't wait to purchase a copy for my classroom!

Was this review helpful?

This book explains how children can overcome their fears of animals with the help and support of their families,. It has a special section for parents and a list of resources. This book is easy to read and informative.

Was this review helpful?

This review based on an ARC made available through Jessica Kingsley Publishers & NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I finished reading the Facing Mighty Fears about Trying New Things and immediately downloaded this one so I could read it as well. Huebner does such a good job of making difficult anxieties understandable and less scary. The book starts with an explanation of what is happening biologically and then moves into simple steps for how to move past the fears & anxieties, so the reader can move forward with their life.

The book includes a note at the end for adults as well as a reference section.

I would happily read this entire series. It's straight-forward, has lovely diverse illustrations, and is no-nonsense while still being empathetic. Highly recommend!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy of the book. Both my 9 & 4 year old suffer with health anxiety, mainly due to covid but also my own father passed away from cancer three years ago. I have been know to suffer with health anxiety also after this. There is some great mindfulness tips within the book that I feel will help me also in future moments of severe anxiety. I think this book is probably aimed towards more servere cases of health anxiety but definitely has given me a few tips.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Facing Mighty Fears About Health by Dawn Huebner is a book in Dr. Dawn's Mini Books About Mighty Fears series. This series is designed to help children aged 6-10 with managing their fears. The book is structured like a workbook more than a story book. There isn't really a plot, but the book is designed to help children think through their fears. The book is illustrated with black and white illustrations throughout.

Overall, this book is a children's book with a lovely message. One highlight of this book is that it has a very important message. I think that children's books are incredibly important when they teach children about lessons like how to manage their fears. These lessons are good for everyone to learn. I took off 2 stars, because the black and white illustrations just didn't appeal to me. The book would have been better if it was in color. If you're intrigued by the description, you can check out this book when it comes out in April!.

Was this review helpful?

What a fantastic, well presented book to help young children target their fears and phobias of ill health, getting poorly, or their bodies not working properly. The language, illustrations, tips, and fun facts are all pitched perfectly to help children work through their fears. Every step is well explained, and can be tailored to each child's own fear, and can be taken at their own pace. There is a handy section for supporting adults at the end of the book too. Would definitely recommend.

Thank you to Jessica Kingsley Publishers Netgalley for an eARC of this book to read and review.

Was this review helpful?

Wow! Was this ever an amazing read - for children, and honestly for adults as well that are facing health anxiety.

The narration throughout the book was kind, welcoming, and informative. Reassurances were provided in a nonjudgemental fashion, allowing the reader to know that they are not alone when facing health anxiety. I thought that the illustrations were great: representations of children from various ethnicities, backgrounds, and with disabilities were provided.

There were so many "fun facts" about health and the human body sprinkled within the book. I found them to be highly engaging and informative.

Additionally, the book provided a small guide for caregivers and for parents, as well as a link to numerous books, videos, and organizations relating to the subject matter presented.

I would recommended this to parents and caregivers of children 6-10 years who would like to help ease any anxiety their little ones are facing regarding health.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher, author, and illustrator for providing an advanced reader's copy in exchange of an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Pros: This is such a timely book as I can only imagine who children's fears about health have increased during the pandemic. I think adults will benefit from this book as well as health anxiety surrounds us during the pandemic. This book offers practical tools and simple explanations to help children learn about their bodies and fears, e.g.,, the false alarm loop. My favorite thing about this book is how inclusive the language and illustrations are so that children can see themselves represented in the book.

Cons: This is not a con but is a note that I think this is a book for a child to read with an adult the first time they read it so they can talk about the big ideas.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the opportunity to read this book!

Was this review helpful?

My daughter gets anxious about a lot of things so it helps to talk through them and now, with this series, read about it! One big fear is the doctor- getting shots, covid tests and getting her teeth cleaned. I can't wait to see how this book helps her,

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book. It’s so informative and I really liked the fun facts spread across several pages. It’s a good book to introduce to kids early on and teach them how to deal with their anxieties if they happen to have them as they grow up. Very well written!

Was this review helpful?

This was a sweet, accessible book that will inspire readers to slow down and examine reactive feelings and instincts caused by health anxiety. It is interspersed with delightful, inclusive illustrations and fun facts that inspire curiosity.

Was this review helpful?

Facing Mighty Fears About Health is a book for children who are dealing with Health Anxiety. It talks about how the amygdala in the brain sends alerts to the body if there is danger; however, sometimes is sends out false alarms signals. It had a nice comparison to a fire alarm going off for burnt toast as well as a fire because it doesn't differentiate the difference. It also provides information on what to do if you have Health Anxiety including: research the amygdala to learn why the brain alarm is not always right, how to quiet the brain alarm,. stop trying to protect yourself from things you think may make you sick. and to be patient with yourself. There were also notes to parents and caregivers that tell specific ways that Health Anxiety may present. It provides some very useful tips in how to deal with Health Anxiety. There are also lists of additional resources at the back of the book.

This book is a useful tool for children (and their caregivers) to learn how to manage Health Anxiety. It explains Health Anxiety in a very matter of fact way without making the child feel like there was something wrong with them. It is very useful for caregivers to learn how to help the child change his/ her behaviors as well at their own behaviors to help manage the anxiety. Sometimes parents who are trying to be helpful may somehow inadvertently contribute to the anxiety continuing. The book also has some interesting Fun Facts sprinkled throughout that children and adults should enjoy.

Was this review helpful?

I wish there was an option to give this book more than five stars as it has completely earned them. Dawn Huebner in this book provides the best explanation of worry and why our brain may make us anxious unnecessarily that I’ve come across (I think it is useful for both children and adults). By using analogies that everyone will understand the book explains health fears in a non-judgemental way and also points out that it is common and nothing to be ashamed of. Steps are then clearly put across in a fun and encouraging guide (including some basic CBT, mindfulness and grounding strategies) that can be used on a daily basis. There are also lots of fun facts about the body throughout the book making it an engaging read.

What I really appreciated about this book (and in fact the whole series) is the illustrations show children of different backgrounds, so often such inclusivity is lacking. It was great especially to see children who are wheelchair users represented.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Facing Mighty Fears About Health is another great book in this series. This one explains health anxiety and how to overcome it. It is accompanied by simple, but effective illustrations which are perfect for the target audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for my ARC.

Was this review helpful?