It’s launch day for Secrets of a Lab Rat #2: Mom, There’s a Dinosaur in Beeson’s Lake. Scab McNally, the main character in the book, has to figure out how to overcome one of his biggest fears. I can relate, because I was a worrier as a child. I didn’t want to go to kindergarten because I worried I wouldn’t be able to open the big door by myself. I worried I wouldn’t be able to get my galoshes off. I worried my teacher wouldn’t like me. Despite my protests, my mother said, “Try, Trudi. What’s the worst that could happen?” I, of course, came up with a list of scenarios before breakfast, most ending in humiliation, serious injury, and/or death. I was so sure disaster was going to strike, I couldn’t get more than a spoonful of Lucky Charms down. My stomach churning, off I went to meet my doom. And here’s what happened: My older sister helped me open the door. A new friend helped me get out of my galoshes. And my teacher liked me. No catastrophic event of any kind occurred. I came home a little disappointed, actually, not to mention worried. We worriers start to worry when something doesn’t happen. I’m still a worrier. I’m pretty sure it’s genetic. But I learned not to let the stomach get in the way of the heart. I knew I had to do what I wanted to do—high school debate, TV news, writing books, speaking to students—so I could be who I wanted to be. Now, I know if my knees aren’t trembling, I’m not stretching myself enough. I can’t lie and tell you it always goes smoothly, but I’m never disappointed that I tried and I haven’t fainted, thrown up, or died yet. What do you fear? How is your fear holding you back? Try. You can do it. Don’t waste time dreaming up unlikely scenarios. Trust me, I have worried enough for the both of us. And if you know a child that’s a bit over-cautious, tell him/her my story and share the second book in the Secrets of a Lab Rat series: Mom, There’s a Dinosaur in Beeson’s Lake.


Get more on Trudi Trueit at SimonandSchuster.com