Do any of these fears sound familiar? For me, it was all about spiders. Those big, hairy, mean faced, eight-legged creatures that would cause the tiny hairs on my back to stand straight up. When I was small, I could not go to sleep at night without performing my nightly ritual--grabbing my "Scooby-Doo and Shaggy" flashlight from under my bed and pointing the bright light up to inspect all four corners of my room, the ceiling, down the walls, under the bed and into the closet. Fast forward nearly 30+ years later, and while, the hair on my back still stands up at the very sight of one, now I have the ability to be able to grab the can of Raid from the closet and send them to another dimension!
It is important for families to remember the although most children have some fears, this is a typically normal part of childhood. The Nemours Foundation, based in Wilmington, Delaware, explains that the nature of fear experienced by infants, toddlers and young children changes as they grow older and develop both physically and mentally. Infants tend to experience stranger anxiety and will readily display their displeasure with the situation by clinging to either mommy or daddy when faced with individuals that they do not recognize. As they grow into the toddler stage, separation anxiety still exists; however, they will begin to display signs of emotional discomfort when either parent leaves, albeit for a short, temporary time. Leaving their toddler years behind, children between the ages of four through six start to develop fears that are not often based in reality; for example, they begin to express fears of monsters or other imaginary, unreal creatures. Children in the pre-teen stage say goodbye to the monsters in the closet, and often develop fears of real things that can happen to them, including the effects of experiencing a natural disaster and/or becoming injured.
There are a multitude of ways that you can provide comfort and a sense of security to your anxious child. Sitting down and snuggling together with one of these very appropriate selections by award-winning author Robie H. Harris, is a great way to provide an initial springboard for discussion of your little ones apprehensions. Always remember the power behind the calming, gentle assurance that you, your family, as well as all of those important individuals in your child's everyday life provide to your children, and eventually, your little ones will learn to not only accept truth but will eventually let go of their fears.
"The scary is near", exclaims the tousle-haired little boy in the beginning of our story. What (let's pretend for a moment that you're as small as this tale's little boy) if anything, can you do to make the scary disappear? Will things in his world ever be calm again?
The boy at the center of Harris' tender tale is able to find his inner courage as he slowly overcomes his fears--- some of his fears happen on rare occurrences, for example, while visiting the zoo, the sounds of screeching monkeys make him hold his ears to his hands; some happen more often, like the sounds of sirens speeding to an emergency; while others, far more personal, like when mommies and daddies yell and holler.
The little boy's brave inner journey is accentuated by two-time Caldecott Medal winning illustrator Chris Raschka's captivating watercolors. You will rejoice along with this boy when he exclaims, "The quiet comes back," and that, "Mommy's and Daddy's no longer shout and the sun shines once again."
When Lions Roar
Written by Robie H. Harris & Illustrations by Chris Raschka
Publisher: Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc. (2013)
Website: www.scholastic.com
ISBN: 978-0-545-11283-3
Retails: $16.99 (Hardcover)
For ages 3 and up
Chances are, your children (and admit it, you too!) can recall a time where they were filled with anxiety when they misplaced a prized possession---either a favorite stuffed animal, a blanket or a toy. For the young little critter in Maybe a Bear Ate It!, after awakening from a snooze, he quickly discovers that his favorite book has gone missing.
Featuring simple, humorous rhyming text and colorful illustrations, you'll follow the little critter on a funny, frantic journey through his wild imagination, as he ponders the fate of his prized storybook. "Maybe a bat flew high up in the sky with it?" or "Maybe a rhino ran away with it?" are some of the hysterical and completely outlandish scenarios that the little critter congers up during his frantic search.
When I read this book to my son when he was little, I appreciated the way that Harris portrayed children's emotions to an unsettling situation with humor, candor and simple honesty. I believe that anyone, big or small, will be able to relate and recall similar life experiences with a smile after reading this delightful tale.
Maybe a Bear Ate It!
Written by Robie H. Harris & Illustrated by Michael Emberly
Publisher: Orchard Books, and imprint of Scholastic (2008)
Website: www.scholastic.com
IBSN: 978-0439939615
Retail: $5.95 (Paperback) & $12.79 (Hardcover)
For ages 3 and up
