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Big Thoughts: Catch and Release Your Worries: A picture book about managing emotions, feelings and worries, with hints and tips for children and parents. For ages 4, 5, 6, 7
Laura Dockrill’s witty, tender, deeply insightful narrative pairs with charming illustrations to show children they’re not alone in their worries—and to offer real ways to talk about, and deal with, their anxiety.
Everyone has worries: BIG THOUGHTS. They’re invisible but loud, and nobody but you can hear the racket they make inside your head. Big Thoughts can be about the future—things that haven’t happened and might not ever happen—or about the past. They can even be make-believe, which is one of the annoying things about Big Thoughts: They don’t always tell the truth. In her distinctively effervescent voice, Laura Dockrill connects with young readers and makes them feel seen and heard, while providing very real coping tips to calm their worried minds—strategies they can carry with them throughout their lives. Richly detailed and emotive illustrations by Ashling Lindsay help make this a vital read to reassure the anxious minds of children of all ages. A list of things that make the book’s creators happy can be found in the back matter.
Everyone has worries: BIG THOUGHTS. They’re invisible but loud, and nobody but you can hear the racket they make inside your head. Big Thoughts can be about the future—things that haven’t happened and might not ever happen—or about the past. They can even be make-believe, which is one of the annoying things about Big Thoughts: They don’t always tell the truth. In her distinctively effervescent voice, Laura Dockrill connects with young readers and makes them feel seen and heard, while providing very real coping tips to calm their worried minds—strategies they can carry with them throughout their lives. Richly detailed and emotive illustrations by Ashling Lindsay help make this a vital read to reassure the anxious minds of children of all ages. A list of things that make the book’s creators happy can be found in the back matter.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 25, 2025
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November 19, 2025
I received an electronic ARC from Candlewick through Edelweiss+.
Dockrill offers hope and support for younger readers who feel trapped by their "big thoughts." Worries are referred to this way throughout the book. I love the way Lindsay draws them coming as thought bubbles. They change and grow darker as the thoughts get bigger. When the story begins, readers see a typical day and the main character feels good about themself. Then, we see what happens when worries take over. Finally, we see how sharing thoughts with someone else can help calm minds and thoughts. The author also shares that others can have these worrisome thoughts too. By the end, this child has found ways to cope and feel better. Don't miss the helpful information included at the end for families to discuss together.
Dockrill offers hope and support for younger readers who feel trapped by their "big thoughts." Worries are referred to this way throughout the book. I love the way Lindsay draws them coming as thought bubbles. They change and grow darker as the thoughts get bigger. When the story begins, readers see a typical day and the main character feels good about themself. Then, we see what happens when worries take over. Finally, we see how sharing thoughts with someone else can help calm minds and thoughts. The author also shares that others can have these worrisome thoughts too. By the end, this child has found ways to cope and feel better. Don't miss the helpful information included at the end for families to discuss together.
Displaying 1 of 1 review