The Girl with Big, Big Worries by Britney Winn Lee (Author) and Jacob Souva (Illustrator)
There once was a girl whose mind was filled with every "What if?" her expansive brain could concoct. To ease her worry, she takes extra precautions to be ready for any scenario and to steer clear of any possible danger when she could. This meant that she usually didn't play or explore with other kids her age. After all, if she doesn't try anything, she won't be hurt or embarrassed or lost. But then, she also doesn't get to make friends, doesn't have the fun the other kids seem to be happening, and doesn't build any confidence that she can do new things. But, one day, another girl holds her hand and helps her see things a different way.
The Girl with Big, Big Worries is a picture book about how anxiety and fear can affect a child. While I appreciate that the author, Britney Winn Lee, includes an author's note at the end acknowledging that, for many children, a squeezed hand and reassuring word will not be enough to calm racing anxious thoughts, I do wish the message of her author's note was spread a bit more through the book. Alternatively, I think moving the author's note to the front of the book (and perhaps a shorter note in the back with some listed resources) would have framed the story more successfully.
That said, The Girl with Big, Big Worries is a good introduction to talk to kids about what anxiety is and how it can present. This is important as I know I (and some of my friends) were adults by the time we were able to label inner monologues as products of anxiety. This in no way is a reflection of us not growing up in loving environments, rather it's more a reflection of such definitions being unknown to us.
Additionally, The Girl with Big, Big Worries shows how kids can try and help their friends or other kids they see pulling back and choosing to be on the sidelines. Yes, as the author acknowledges, kids cannot be the sole support for each other, but showing kindness, patience, and a willingness to include others can make a huge difference.
I also loved illustrator Jacob Souva's artwork. Souva's vignettes are delicately layered and overlap in artistic ways. The colors and textures help convey the girl's complex thoughts. Also, Souva's often playful and creative depictions help keep the story from getting too heavy for the age of the intended audience.
Lee's words together with Souva's illustrations, The Girl with Big, Big Worries is a great introduction to anxiety for young kids.
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