CHILDREN’S book of the week

THE WORRYING WORRIES

by Rachel Rooney, illustrated by Zehra

Hicks, Andersen Press, £12.99

THE Worrying Worries follows a young child who catches a worry for a pet. It quickly grows and becomes annoying, unmanageable and interfering, so he visits the Worry Doctor.

Rachel Rooney and Zehra Hicks have created an engaging, rhyming story that steers clear of being too prescriptive or overbearing. It helps children understand ways they can control their worries, such as deep breathing, statue standing and thinking happy thoughts.

Although the rhymes are easy to read, some could have done with more refining.

Perhaps a missed opportunity is making the Worry Doctor feel more real – like a teacher – giving children a clue as to who they can talk to.

But as children don’t always talk about their fears, this is a friendly book that will be useful to keep within reach of young hands.