The Worry Balloon

June 1, 2023
Childhood anxieties are tamed with the help of a loving adult and coping methods. Isla remembers a time when her biggest problems would melt away with a snuggle from Mami. Now, as she faces her first day of school, her mind is swirling with nonstop worries and what-ifs. Isla shares her fears with Mami, who talks her through a visualization exercise involving putting her worries in an imaginary balloon and letting it float away. As Isla and Mami walk to school, Isla focuses on her breathing and the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of her neighborhood. When they reach school and Isla's anxiety surges, Mami reminds Isla to "try picturing what you want to see happen" and to "try making it something happy," which helps her transition into the school day. While Isla's worries haven't disappeared for good, they have quieted thanks to positive self-talk and other strategies she's practiced with Mami. Inviting illustrations include powerful visual representations of what it feels like to be frozen in fear--tree roots extending from Isla's feet as she feels literally anchored to the ground; her legs stuck in quicksand--in addition to cheerful, reassuring scenes. Anxious readers will recognize themselves in Isla's struggle and perhaps learn a new way of approaching their fears. Isla and her mom are Latine, with brown skin and wavy brown hair. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Sure to help kids conquer first-day-of-school fears. (tips for "building your worry tool bag," author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)

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June 26, 2023
Relying on weather metaphors, Mancillas coaches readers on how to handle worry with this method-centered picture book about a child who takes on an anxiety-filled first day of school through mindfulness practices. Leading up to the yet-uncharted experience, worries overwhelm Latinx-cued Isla. But each time stormy thoughts intrude (“What if a tree falls down on the playground and I get squished?”), Mami proposes coping mechanisms and positive visualizations, such as placing concerns in the eponymous worry balloon and letting it float away (“Whenever it comes back to check on you, just remind it that you’re ok”). Stencil and sponge textures infuse Tang’s digital art with an appropriate ephemerality in scenes that show gray clouds bunching and dispersing around the child, whose expressions shift accordingly. Realistically depicting thought spirals and intrusive worry, the book takes a sensitive, strategic approach. Back matter offers instructions for “Building Your Worry Tool Bag.” Ages 4–8.