Outsmarting Worry

This is SUCH a great book, I can't praise it enough. Aimed at 9-13 year olds with the intention of explaining how worry works and the difference between a normal level of anxiety and actual anxiety, this breaks things down in such a simple and clear way that you can't fail to understand. I think there are plenty of adults that would benefit from reading this book too, especially if you are working with children or have children of your own. It explains the 'fight or flight' reaction in such simple terms, that I know I would recommend it to my peers as despite being aimed at children, it really couldn't be clearer. There is a helpful guide for parents and carers as to how best to use this book, and importantly advising to seek help from professionals if necessary. There are a few images scattered throughout the book which break up the text. The techniques used are loosely based on CBT and this in itself provides some invaluable pointers which hopefully youngsters will remember and take through with them during their adolescence when there is an abundance of worry.

A great way to explain anxiety to both children and adults and how to cope with the life-long struggle.

-'Outsmarting Worry is geared toward 9–13-year-olds struggling with unrealistic fears, children who shrink away from normal challenges and fret about unlikely scenarios. It is intended for children who quickly shift from worry (lower-case) to Worry (upper-case). Who can’t seem to move away from their fearful imaginings.'-

This book is intended for use with children aged 9-13 years. It provides a set of skills and strategies based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

It is written in an informal manner with an easy-to-read style (as though the author is writing directly to the reader, almost like having a conversation). The reading style is relaxing and easy to follow. The graphics and title headings are engaging to young readers and "cool". It is not preachy or dull. This book would certainly encourage and entice preteens to read and find out more on the subject of worry and how to do self-help. It is also very helpful for school counsellors, resource teachers, parents, educators of special needs children, etc. I found it to be very helpful and I would highly recommend it. A great tool. 👍🏻

I was given this book to read as I am a secondary school librarian. I am an anxious person so hoped to learn something myself. Whilst I appreciate the doctors advice and strategies I feel their were a few issues with it. Firstly, if this is to be published and distributed in England the word "therapist" needs to be dealt with. Few English children have access to therapists, many would speak to their peers or to adults. I am also concerned about the age the book is aimed at. At the beginning of the book I feel it is written to a younger person - primary school age but as the book moves on it is written to a wider age range, I worry that a 12-13 year old would stop reading it earlier as they may think it's for little kids. It also uses the word child a lot. When students start secondary school they are no longer a child. I'm going to carry on looking for a different book about young peoples stress and worries to put on my library shelves.