The Playground Problem: a Book About Anxiety; Dr Tracy Packiam Alloway
QEB Publishing - SEN Superpowers - 2019
I was very impressed with everything about this book. It an educational story about a little girl named Ruby who suffers with anxiety issues. It also demonstrates how she worked to overcome her fear of doing a show-and-tell in front of her class and made a friend in the process. As she practices her talk alone under a tree at school, she meets another child, a little boy named Joey who is shy and needs a friend. Who doesn't love a serious story with a happy ending?
The illustrations are lovely and calming, there are exercises, tips for helping children cope with anxiety and discussion points for parents and teachers to work with their children on concocring their fears. The fonts are dyslexia friendly as well, and although that's not an issue for me, I felt it added to the calming nature of this story.
Highly recommended!
(I received this book for review through the Amazon Vine Program)
How wonderful and special, bravo Dr. Alloway!
ReplyDeleteBooks like this are so wonderful. Important to show kids like this that they are not alone.
DeleteWhat a good book to have. This is not an uncommon problem amongst children today. Especially since even children are more competitive than ever before.
ReplyDeleteI can remember having anxiety as a child when speaking in front of the class as well. It never totally went away, even as an adult like in a business setting.
DeleteIt does sound like a good book but I'm wondering if Problem is misspelled in the title on purpose.
ReplyDeleteKathy, HOW WEIRD? I never noticed that on the art image I used, so I just changed it. The word is CORRECT on the cover.
DeleteI am so glad that books like this exist to help children realize they are not alone, but so sad that anxiety is enough of a problem in small children that we needs such books.
ReplyDeleteI was one of those shy, anxious kiddos, but of course, back then I just saw myself as odd.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy that so many little children suffer from anxiety, but I'm glad there is a helpful book for them.
ReplyDeleteYes, books like this are so important as are understanding and helpful teachers and parents.
DeleteI was just saying the other day that I didn't really enjoy recess as a kid! I don't know if it was anxiety as much as being an introvert. Though I do remember some fun games.
ReplyDeleteYes, I didn't like recess either. I was always afraid I'd be one of the last to get chosen for teams. I did like volley ball; probably the only sport I was good at.
DeleteI was anxious as a child, but I don't think they every used that term for it. My Mom said I was 'shy'. And I definitely had trouble with standing in front of the classroom. In college, I took my Speech class the second semester of my senior year. Put it off as long as I possibly could.
ReplyDeleteI also applaud the author for creating a book addressing these issues. They've always been there, but many things just weren't talked about or even really acknowledged in the past.
Yes, back then we were considered SHY. I always felt different. Thank goodness were outgrow that (maybe not our introversion but, caring less about what others are thinking.
DeleteExcellent! My eldest grandchild could have used this book.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think many would find this helpful.
DeleteWhat a great little book this is, one that one of my grandsons cold have benefitted from a decade ago.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to see young ones struggle, but, yes, it is still an issue.
DeleteI think many children today suffer from anxiety. Considering the world in which they live, how could they not? This sounds like an important book that could be helpful to such children in understanding and overcoming anxiety.
ReplyDeleteI agree Dorothy. So much pressure and stressors in todays world.
ReplyDeleteDiane, this sounds and looks like a wonderful, helpful book! I really like the illustrations.
ReplyDeleteAdding this to Gage’s list. He struggles.
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