Worry Says What?

This important book is written by Allison Edwards, a Licensed Professional Counselor, whose specialty is working with families and children.  She is the author of the bestseller book "Why Smart Kids Worry". She takes us on a journey with a little girl who is plagued daily with a big hairy Monster called Worry which causes her anxiety and fear around everything she tries to do.   


"Worry's songs tie my tummy up in knots,
and the things he says make my heart beat very fast.
Sometimes he speaks in a whisper, and other times
his voice gets so loud I can't hear anything else."


Worry is constantly giving her negative feedback about her decisions thus blocking her from making friends... ("They don't like you"), from doing well on her math test ( "It's too hard!  You can't do it!  You'll never get it right!"), or performing a handspring in gymnastics ("You'll fall. Everyone will laugh at you. You're gonna get hurt!")  Oh my! Worry steals away her self-confidence and scares her so she doesn't even want to try!  Everything she attempts to do he blankets with negativity and a sense of failure and doom.   


She discovers her quality of life is driven by Worry and he is prohibiting her from having a happy, exciting life.  She realizes the power he has over her and makes a bold decision to take back authority over her fears.  She stands up and shouts, "I am DONE letting Worry be the boss of me!"  Yes!!!! 

The very next day she reclaims her emotions (and life) and tells Worry to take a hike because she's in charge now.  She starts filling herself with positive words and feelings and as she does she notices one beautiful thing...Worry begins to shrink smaller and smaller.  He realizes his power has been taken from him and decides and to move on to the next victim that he can terrorize and keep in bondage.  

Personifying her worry as an intruding monster who sets up camp in her mind and heart makes him very real and much easier to deal with.  The more she practises shunning and ignoring his constant yattering in her ear the easier it becomes to keep him at bay.  

The author wisely includes three strategies that parents and teachers can use to help children understand and conquer their own Worry.  This book should be included in classrooms and in school libraries. "Worry and anxiety are currently the top mental health issues among children and teens today. The problem is not with the worries themselves, but that children believe the worries to be true."  I highly recommend this book and wish I had had its wisdom growing up as I was dubbed a classic worrywart from a very early age.

I loooooooved this book! The graphics are perfect for my younger students, while the story can appeal to kids of all ages. The book offers many opportunities to pause and connect with students on a personal level and even sing the "songs". It actually inspired me to start a blog about techniques and activities I use with my students in the classroom. As an elementary school guidance counsellor, this book is perfect for classroom guidance activities as well as individual and group counselling. Children worry a lot, so allowing them to personify the thing that frightens or bothers them, allows them to begin the conversation on what about it makes them so uncomfortable. Then they can begin to change the language they use when talking about it, thus changing their mindset and how they then approach the issue. I can't wait to start using this book!

This is the story of a little girl who worries about everything. Will I do good in math, will other children like me, can I do well in gymnastics. Unfortunately it is a common problem with young children these days. I really like that the illustrator did not make the worry character scary. It made it's point but not to the point of fear. I also like the positive message of the girl overcoming this and how it was handled. There are also tips in the back of the book to use if you have a child who is a worrier, The book is direct and to the point and an easy read for any school age child. Hat's off to the author for bring attention to this ever growing problem with our children today.

This is the second children's book I've read this year that has blown me away! Initially I was drawn to this book because I wanted to see how the topic of anxiety would be handled in a children's book. As a young girl, I worried about everything. I would get nervous everyday before school because I didn't know what to expect. Would the teacher call on me today? Would I have to read a paragraph out loud to the class (which by the way, I hated doing that), or would I have to run in P.E.? So much worried me back then, and it's still something I struggle with to this day. 

Worry Says What? is a book that would've helped me back then. Something I could reference whenever my anxiety would start to kick in. Worry Says What is about a young girl who constantly gives in to her worries. 'Worry' is depicted as this monster that followers her around, feeding her negative thoughts. In the end, she ends up taking back her power which results in her becoming more sure of herself. The more she believes in herself, the smaller 'Worry' gets.

This was a five star read all around; I loved the message and the artwork. I will definitely be adding this to my bookshelf.

This book is written by a professional counselor who sees children with anxiety frequently. This is a very easy-to-understand book and will help many children who face these problems. I liked the illustrations and how well they connected with the story. My own child would benefit from this book and I could see it being a good addition to every school library or classroom. I wouldn't change anything about it and I think it is great.

Excellent book! Good topic to read with kids and discuss. Sometimes kids are not sure and need to realize it is ok to worry but also work through it. Great illustrations! Would recommend!