WHEN I FEEL WORRIED

Spelman and Parkinson continue their sensitive exploration of childhood emotions with this latest entry in their The Way I Feel series.

An unnamed little guinea pig narrates, describing in just one sentence per page different situations that make her feel worried. She is worried when she isn’t sure what is happening or when people argue or when she has to try something new. The charming illustrations extend the text by creating a believable setting for each sort of worry, using a variety of endearing animal characters. Though it isn’t spelled out in the text, the reader can see that the little guinea pig is nervous about going to the doctor, afraid to get in the swimming pool and worried about the consequences of coloring on the wall of her bedroom. And she is very worried about going to school, sensitively handled with several pages of adult characters helping her get over her fears. The satisfying conclusion shows a more confident guinea-pig girl who understands her feelings and knows how to handle them. This amusing but satisfying story will ease the worries of a nervous child or help more confident children to be more empathetic to the needs of a worried friend. (author’s note) (Picture book. 2-5)