I Know Scared: A book about feeling scared, worried, and surprised

We Find Feelings Clues

by Lindsay N. Giroux, Alicia Teba Godoy (illustrator)

Teach children to recognize fear, worry, and surpriseIn I Know Scared, a young feelings detective looks for clues to identify fear, worry or anxiety, and surprise in herself and others. The girl feels scared when the power goes out during a storm, worried when she fears a tree will fall, and surprised when she opens her birthday present. By noticing the clues in her own body—a fast-beating heart, a forehead that feels tight, big eyes and a wide-open mouth—the feelings detective can also recognize when others feel the same way.

Sometimes, feelings can overwhelm us. I Know Scared helps readers develop skills they can use in these moments to regulate their emotions and feel better. "I ask Dad for a hug. We snuggle and take big deep breaths together." Like the other books in the We Find Feelings Clues series, I Know Scared:

Teaches children to recognize fear, worry or anxiety, and surprise from clues in their bodiesIntroduces the concept of a feelings detective notebook to help build emotional awareness, intelligence, and skillsGives child-friendly ideas for coping with overwhelming emotionsOffers strategies for caregivers on helping children identify and manage big feelingsThe six books in the We Find Feelings Clues series help children learn how to use their bodies’ clues to identify and name their feelings and those of others. Clues are found in facial expressions and body language, sensations within the body, and knowledge of past experiences. After identifying an emotion, children also learn how they can feel better when their emotions are overwhelming. Each book features a child using their feelings detective notebook to record their feelings through drawings and words, as well as additional information on recognizing and dealing with feelings. The books can stand alone or be used together as a classroom companion to Lindsay N. Giroux’s professional resource, Create an Emotion-Rich Classroom.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

36 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Hannah Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Scared is a children's picture book that I was able to read an ARC version of, thanks to NetGalley.

I absolutely loved reading this book. It represents an effective way to help children process difficult emotions, coupled with a brilliant story about a daughter getting advice from her father and grandfather (which is rare to see in stories).
It also doesn't dumb down the ideas too much, which is common with these kinds of stories, and acknowledges that children can have a wide range of fears without diminishing them.
Additionally, I love how, at the end of the story, it provides resources to help adults use the story's method to help children.
Deffo would reread and use it as a tool for the children I work with. Plus I am a sucker for a story with a cat 😺!

[Sid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: I like this title, it feels like it takes a negative and turns it into a positive – which is somewhat similar to what the story does. Takes "scary" or "negative" emotions and makes me "okay" by learning how to feel, recognize and soothe them in a healthy way.

Story: This book does a phenomenal job at empowering children to understand emotions, how they impact the body and how you can use and learn the signs by being in-tune with yourself, to identify them early on to take control.

The progression used of: experience/trigger>change in her body she notices/feels>what those clues mean she's feeling>idea as to how she can support herself or soothe the anxiety.

It also shows her finding comfort and empowerment with trusted adults in her life to openly talk through her anxieties and come to a logical resolution that relieves her woes.

I appreciated that each emotion received it's own time to arise by an incident, additional examples outside of the stories power outage to help children see multiple ways this might be impacting them so they can relate and understand the emotion, then is given a few ways to resolve, soothe or reshape into a positive (such as playing hide and seek) – and that it then devolves into positive emotions as well, such as surprise or warmth of a comforted content snuggle with her grandpa.

The prompts through out to help provide conversation points to engage the children in the story and learning are great – I think it would be really nice if there were also some to help the child to reflect on "what's something that helps you feel comfort when you're scared" so that the children aren't solely focusing on the feeling, but also on using the tools to soothe it in a healthy way as well so they are putting both tools from the story together, not just one.

Writing: I thought the writing style and descriptors given were great and age appropriate. They provided clear and relatable feelings that a child might identify with and be able to understand to then use the tools the books attempting to provide and exhibit.

I also thing the story is broken up in very digestible bits per page and step in the process. I didn't ever feel that there was too much on a page/spread or being shared at one time for a child to process, grasp and prepare to progress into the next page.

Illustrations: The illustrations are okay. I would like them to have a bit more life and variation. It would be a nice touch to see color used as a visual cue within the story as we go in and out of the "scary" emotions to see the positive outlook it provides–so maybe in the moments we reflect on being scared it's more muted in aesthetic, but then as we are comforted or soothed the illustration is more lively. That would be such a nice addition to the story.

Overall: It's very well written and executed. I would purchase this for any of my friends who have a child between 3-9 to help them not only share a story that helps their child understand their emotions and how to navigate them, but also themselves as parents to successfully engage with their child and their "scary"emotions in a healthy and strong way as well.

Thank you NetGallery for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: I Know Scared by Lindsay N. Giroux

Overview
Lindsay N. Giroux’s I Know Scared: A Book About Feeling Scared, Worried, and Surprised (expected August 2025) is a timely and compassionate children’s book that tackles complex emotions with clarity and warmth. Illustrated by Alicia Teba Godoy, this upcoming release promises to be a valuable tool for helping young readers navigate fear and anxiety while fostering emotional resilience.

Strengths
-Emotionally Intelligent Approach: Giroux, a specialist in social-emotional training, crafts a narrative that validates children’s fears while offering gentle guidance. The book avoids oversimplification, making it relatable for kids grappling with big feelings.
-Engaging and Accessible: The text is likely tailored for early readers (ages 4–8), with language that balances simplicity and depth. Paired with expressive illustrations, it creates an immersive experience.
-Practical Resonance: Unlike generic “scary story” compilations (e.g., classic horror tales for kids), this book focuses on understanding fear rather than sensationalizing it—a refreshing perspective in children’s literature.

Considerations
-Uncertain Impact: As an unreleased title, the full effectiveness of its messaging (e.g., pacing, visual storytelling) remains to be seen.
-Niche Appeal: While ideal for caregivers and educators, its focus on emotional processing might limit standalone entertainment value for some children.

Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
-Emotional Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Nuanced exploration of fear’s duality (see Northwestern Medicine’s insights on fear as both healthy and disruptive).
-Child-Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Likely succeeds in making abstract feelings tangible for young minds.
-Artistic Synergy: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Anticipated harmony between text and illustrations (Godoy’s style unknown but promising).
-Relevance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Addresses a universal need in early emotional development.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A lantern in the dark, guiding little hearts through the maze of their own emotions.

Ideal Audience
-Children ages 4–8 (especially those prone to anxiety).
-Parents, teachers, and therapists seeking tools for emotional literacy.

Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Lindsay N. Giroux for the advance review copy. This book is a testament to the power of storytelling in nurturing emotional courage.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Know Scared: A Book About Feeling Scared, Worried, and Surprised by Lindsay N. Giroux, illustrated by Alicia Teba Godoy, is an insightful and compassionate resource for helping children better understand and manage their emotions. While it's recommended for ages 3 to 7, I believe its tools and strategies can benefit children of all ages who are learning to regulate their feelings.
I LOVE the concept of becoming a "feelings detective"- encouraging kids to tune in not only to their own emotions, but also to the body language and expressions of others. It's a brilliant, age-appropriate way to build emotional awareness and empathy. I also truly appreciate the author’s suggestion of using a “feelings notebook” to draw or jot down thoughts when emotions become overwhelming. This simple tool helps children reflect, process, and begin to connect their feelings to specific situations, which can lead to better coping strategies and self-regulation.
The back of the book includes a wealth of helpful tips and guidance for parents and caregivers, making it an excellent tool for both home and classroom settings.
I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars. As I read, I found myself wondering if the author was a therapist or behavioral specialist- and she is! It’s wonderful to see a professional share their expertise in such a thoughtful and accessible way. I’ll definitely be purchasing a copy for my daughter.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Steff Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Lindsay N. Giroux’s I Know Scared. This is such an excellent children’s book exploring various feelings that a kid may be learning about in their young lives. From scared and worried to surprise, the book follows a young girl who calls herself a “feelings detective” as she journeys through an experience involving a rainstorm and power outage. She first discusses the changes to her body that she can feel to give her clues to what emotions she may be feeling at any given moment and follows up with ideas for how to support herself through each emotion—some of which includes some of the amazing adults in her life providing that support as well—and then gives readers a moment to reflect on how they might address similar emotions.

The artwork was well done, colorful, and engaging, Each character was creatively drawn and, as a reader, you truly feel quite immersed in the story as a whole. This is definitely the kind of book I think nearly every kid should have on their shelves and be introduced to. You can certainly count on me adding it to my shelves for both my students, nieces, and future children. One thing to note, however, is that this is definitely a book to read with and to your kiddo since a lot of the language is a bit more advanced. This is definitely not something you’d give to an emerging reader.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda Kerschen · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Now I Know Scared: A Book About Feeling Scared, Worried, and Surprised* by Lindsay N. Giroux is a gentle, thoughtful, and beautifully designed book that helps young children explore big emotions in a safe and supportive way. The illustrations are modern and warm, creating a welcoming tone that feels both current and comforting. While the book is mostly wordless, the sparse text is used with care and purpose, supporting the story without overwhelming it. The focus is on a young girl going through her everyday life, experiencing a full range of emotions, including joy, security, fear, and worry.

What makes this book truly special is how it gently guides readers to recognize and reflect on those feelings. Children are shown how to identify physical and emotional signs of fear or worry, and they are invited to think about times when they may have felt the same. The book also illustrates healthy coping strategies and how children can know if those strategies are helping. The final pages offer valuable guidance for caregivers, providing insight into how to support emotional growth and understanding. This book sends a powerful message that emotions are a normal part of life and that it is okay to feel them. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars and believe every family should have a copy to read and return to often. I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Teacher Created Materials.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book, so well written with great thought to the needs of young children and the people who support them. I think it would be a very helpful book for young children. The story gently explains the emotions scared and surprised in cartoons with easy to read words. I think it’s such a well written story and the graphics are really appealing.
I thought the end part of the book where the advice for adults looked at how to support children and to encourage identify their emotions was especially helpful. There are practical ways suggested to support their children, such as creating a note book to explore emotions. Allowing emotions rather than trying to get your child to push them away is such an important approach and I think most adults struggle with this so putting it into a children’s book is just fabulous.
I think for some adults these concepts could be very helpful for them and their children. Definitely an excellent addition to any home, school, library or therapy setting for children and their supporters.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing advanced copy this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinions.

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thank you to Lindsay N. Giroux, Alicia Teba Godoy, Free Spirit Publishing, and N*tGall*y for the opportunity to read I Know Scared. I will share my review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble upon release.

This children's book about emotions focuses on feeling scared, worried, and surprised. These emotions can often be tied together, so it's helpful to give examples to children of what each word means specifically and which body clues align with those emotions. Being scared is normal, and it's important to be able to recognize and explain how you feel. Developing emotional vocabulary is one of the most important and beneficial parts of growing up, and these books can help facilitate communication for kids. There's also a detailed section in the back of the book about how adults can help kids identify and explain their emotions, and how to ask the right questions to get to the root of a problem in order to de-escalate. This is such a great series and I appreciate the message being shared. I would definitely recommend for any public library, school library, class library, home library, etc.

5/5 stars!

Thanks again!

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our family are huge fans of the series “We Find Feelings Clues”. This series has been amazing in our family. Sometimes feelings and emotions are hard for our children, and even us, to understand and to know what to do with these feelings. My son struggles with this a lot. He is 5 and is on the spectrum so I love finding books like this to help him and encourage him. Finding ways to help him understand these feelings is my goal.
In this book we meet a little girl who is a feelings detective. She is very good at looking for clues. She shows us how to
look for clues in our bodies. When a storm outside comes she tells us about feelings like being scared, worried and anxious. Sometimes those feelings can overwhelm us. She shows us ways to deal with these emotions. We love the idea of taking deep breaths, we use that a lot in our daily lives.
Such a great way to share with children in a fun and creative way. At the back of book are some activities & guides for families. Share this amazing book with your little ones.

[Codi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really educational read for kids to learn how to listen to their body to learn to put a name to what they're feeling. It also teaches them to ask adults for help when they're feeling badly so that they can start to feel better. The illustrations were really cute and I loved the different emotions shown throughout the story - fear, anxiety, surprise. The only thing that sort of took me out of the story, and that I think would be difficult for kids to follow potentially, is that it kept bouncing back and forth between the current predicament - a storm - and prior times the child felt the feelings they're currently feeling. As an adult, I understand why - it's showing us how she's detecting her current emotions, indicating previous times she felt these feelings and what they meant, so that she can relate it to the current events. But I think as a child, it would be difficult to have the logic to follow through that thought process.

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! This book is absolutely perfect in every way. The author used a clear plot/story and periodic reflection questions within the book in order to easily get a point across, and it worked well. Having the main character's anxiety come from a storm allows the reader to be able to relate to the story, and also helps them become engaged in the story. It makes them wonder what is going to come next, and how the main character is going to cope with it. Another great thing about this book was the emotion detective notebook. This both added a unique element to the book and subtly equipped readers with a coping skill right off the bat. Additionally, the way the main character used the detective notebook worked perfectly for the story, and taught readers how to create and use their own notebooks. Lastly, the guide at the end of the book for caregivers was a great thing to include, and definitely brought the book full circle. Bravo!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so good! It's written in a way that explains so well the feelings, that my 5 yo's can understand and identify them, and I too can take from this and manage my emotions.
In the case of "Scared", my kids are dealing with scary situations like thunder and big changes, and with this book they could easly identify their emotions and how to deal with them.
It has within the story recommendations on how to manage emotions and also at the end it has an explanation for the adults of how to handle and help kids with big emotions and how to behave oneself when this is happening. I extremely recommend this series to anyone.

Lindsay, thanks for writing books!

I received this book for review from netgalley.

[TAreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful and relatable story by Lindsay N. Giroux with detailed, bright and colorful illustrations by Alicia Teba Godoy, which complement the story perfectly! I loved the character designs as well and how a non-traditional family (child, father and grandfather and a cute pet cat) was depicted here. While the topic of the book is hard, it talks about fear, anxiety and uncertainty very well.

There are details to be found in each spread will keep the kids engaged too. I found this to be a very helpful book talking about these topics and how a child as well as an adult will find this story relatable and personal.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[nika.ex.libris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story demonstrates how important it is to be able to recognize one's own emotions, such as joy, fear, or surprise, and to develop empathy towards the feelings of others.

The book is richly illustrated with cute and vibrant pictures that visually convey different emotions, making them easier for young readers to understand.

It serves as a valuable tool for parents and educators looking to help children connect with their own emotions and teach them how to find common ground with others. Overall, the book is informative, interactive, and engaging for children, providing them with useful knowledge they can apply in their lives.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 102 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟

I wish a series similar to this existed when I was younger. Maybe we would be better able to understand our feelings better rather than fight against feeling.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bright and breezy look at a girl having a good time with dad and grandpa, watching a movie at home over the popcorn, when lightning strikes and knocks the power out. Perfect reason, then, for worry and fright – and surprise – to show up, but you might have to be an emotions detective like our heroine to know for sure, and why your face and body are changing with your mood. Part of a set that wants youngsters to be able to recognise, name and deal with their ever changing moods, this is really readable, comes with comprehensive end matter for the adults, and in this layman's opinion really does manage what it set out to achieve. Four and a half stars.

[Madison Doney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Know Scared is the PERFECT story for children 3-8 years old! Everyone feels scared and worried throughout their life. It's important for children to understand how their body feels when they are faced with big emotions. By understanding their feelings, children are better able to communicate them with those around them. This story also shares questions throughout the book to expand the thinking of the reader.

This story will definitely be placed in my classroom for children to look at and to be read when teaching about emotions.

Thank you to Net Galley and Free Spirit Publishing for giving me an early chance to read this book.

[Annie Brechbuhler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Know Scared is designed to help young children make sense of big feelings and understand anxiety. Through the narrator's eyes, we learn coping mechanisms to help with anxiety and nervousness. This book is unique in that it shows the main character, a girl, living with dad and grandpa. I enjoyed the unique perspective shown in this book. It would be a good fit in preschool-kindergarten classrooms.

Thank you to NetGalley and Teacher Created Materials for an ARC of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

[dipshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gentle and thoughtful book that introduces young children to the concept of emotions in a way that is both accessible and comforting. It serves as a wonderful starting point for parents to open up conversations with their children about feelings, helping them recognize, name, and express what they're going through.

The simple yet effective storytelling makes it easy for little ones to relate, while the informative section at the end offers valuable guidance for parents on how to support emotional development.

[Valerie Contreras · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are so adorable! I love the colors used! Very pleasing to the eye and not just burst of color. I think this book is helpful in the sense that it talks about emotions and it even has helpful tips for parents at the end. My only critic is that I prefer books with rhymes or a lyrical flow to the words. I feel like this book doesn’t have that, as much as I tried to read it like I would with a child, it just didn’t flow right. Everything else was perfect and short :)

Thank you to the author,the publisher, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

[Ollie Skyba · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm and approachable picture book that gently explores fear and anxiety. I really appreciated how the book encourages engagement: asking questions, inviting reflection, and offering space for meaningful conversations between children and adults. It's a great tool for parents, teachers, and child psychologists alike.

One thing I kept wondering: the child in the story lives with their father and grandfather—was there a reason behind this setup, or is that just me reading too much into the background?

Thanks NetGalley for ARC.

[Lila Danisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple yet beautiful children book to teach little ones about scared, worries, anxious, and surprised.
I didn't need to use simplified words when I read it to my son, 4 years old, because he already understood the words in this book. He just questioned the timeline of the story because for him (and me), the timeline was all over the place.
Since my son easily got scared and surprised, he kinda related to the girl in the book.
Overall, it's a very good book.

Thank you to Lindsay N. Giroux, Teacher Created Materials, Free Spirit Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Cassie Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I Know Scared" is a lovely children's book about a girl who notices everything around her and how she feels. She gets into a situation where she is scared. The pictures in the book are very cute and colorful, making it fun to look at each page. The book also has questions that help kids talk about their own feelings. It teaches kids not to worry too much about "what ifs" in life and to focus on understanding their feelings instead.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Beena K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely read that explains in a very sweet, easy to comprehend way different feelings. I loved the main character goes through different emotions and details each one of them how they do feel in a physical way. The illustrations are stunning, the colors and the whole vibe they give is just so warm, and the whole book results in a very cozy read.

i would definitely suggest it for my own kids aged 4.


thank you Netgalley for the e copy, the opinions shared gere are solely mine

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Free Spirit Publishing in connection with SLJ's Picture Book Palooza for the eARC. This in no way changed my rating**

The art in this was cute. I like that they covered a range of emotions and they noted other situations besides the one the narrator currently found herself in to explain what those emotions feel like. I liked this enough to check out the other books in the series.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those teaching type of picture books. Meant to explain different feelings to kids and make them understand that their feelings are okay. This book helps with the feeling of being scared. It asks kids about different emotions and what it feels like when they’re having that emotion. This book is fine for what it is. It will do the job it was written to do.

[Justine Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. It's nice to see books about emotions for kids and that it's to feel certain ways with different emotions that we go through. My son liked the book and sat through the whole thing. The book cover actually got his attention to want to read it.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about understanding your feelings. Great suggestions on being a feeling detective and using a journal. Good suggestions for parents and lots to talk about with your child. A must have on your child’s bookshelf.
I received this galley from NetGalley.

[Moon Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book beautifully explains to the young readers how to figure out the feeling they feel. This book primarily deals with the feelings of scared, worried and surprised. The illustrations are equally pretty, colorful and fun.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
I read a digital copy courtesy of the publisher
A child is a feeling detective and learns to recognize feelings