When I Feel Worried by C. Spelman
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20361/G20W44Abstract
Spelman, Cornelia, When I Feel Worried. Illus. Kathy Parkinson. Chicago : Albert Whitman & Company, 2013. Print.
In When I Feel Worried, readers follow a young guinea pig’s transformation from being full of worry and uncertainty, to being happy, engaged, and confident. Through the main character, the book’s creators, Cornelia Maude Spelman and Kathy Parkinson, identify situations that can induce worry, explore the physical and cognitive dimensions of the emotion, normalize these feelings, and introduce common practical strategies to reduce worry and anxiety.
Author, Cornelia Spelman, uses simple, descriptive vocabulary suited to young children’s comprehension level, and presents examples to which they can relate. Children’s book illustrator, Kathy Parkinson, combines pale backgrounds with water colour illustrations outlined in black crayon. Her playful use of colour, pattern, and texture create a vibrant tableau. Although animals act as surrogates for humans in this book, Ms. Parkinson manages to portray very human expressions in the story’s animal characters. The colourful illustrations, positive messages, and relevant examples will appeal to young children.
Prior to becoming a full-time children’s author and artist, Ms. Spelman was a clinical social worker. Her background as a therapist with children and families comes through in her work on When I Feel Worried. Ms. Spelman includes an introductory note to parents and teachers, framing anxiety as something that affects everyone, including children, and provides practical strategies for supporting young children as they manage their anxiety.
Ms. Spelman and Ms. Parkinson have collaborated on numerous children’s works, including eight books that comprise the How I Feel Series; When I Feel Worried is the most current of these. Their literary works for young people have been translated into multiple languages.
Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars
Reviewer: Maria Tan
Maria C. Tan is a medical librarian at the Abdul Khaliq Library in Alberta Health Services’ Cross Cancer Institute and a former editorial team member of the Deakin Review. She firmly believes that children's literature is an essential component in the fountain of youth.
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