Hey Warrior: A Book for Kids About Anxiety

by Karen Young

Kids can do amazing things with the right information. Understanding why anxiety feels the way it does and where the physical symptoms come from is a powerful step in turning anxiety around.

Anxiety explained, kids empowered.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Mental Health, Psychology, Parenting, Nonfiction, Teaching

16 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Karen began her career as a psychologist in private practice. She has worked extensively with children teens and families, and in educational and organisation settings. She has lectured and has a Masters in Gestalt Therapy. It is through her work with children, teens and families, that she learned the power of solid information when it is placed in the solid, loving hands of parents or any important person in the life of a child.

Karen created Hey Sigmund, an internationally popular online resource, as a way to provide contemporary, research-driven information on the art of being human, and being with humans. The website has a particular emphasis on strengthening the mental wellness of children and adolescents. It attracts millions of readers each year worldwide. The articles have been translated into a number of languages and have been published on various international sites including Parenting Magazine in New Zealand, The Good Men Project, The Huffington Post, and The Mighty.

Karen can often be heard on Australian radio. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant and works with schools, government bodies, and child and adolescent focused organisations, both in Australia and overseas to build resources, implement procedures, and support the professional development of staff. She recently worked with Plan International Australia to create resources for parents in response to the recent Australian bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.

She is the author of three books, including the bestselling ‘Hey Warrior’ and ‘Hey Awesome’, which creatively assist children to understand and manage anxiety. The books have been translated into a number of languages and have sold more than 150,000 copies worldwide.

Australia is home, and she lives there with her two children and two stepchildren. Experience has taught her that people can do amazing things with the right information, psychology has something for everyone, jargon doesn’t, everyone has a story to tell, short bios are the longest to write, nobody has it all figured out and the best people to be around are the ones who already know this.

Reviews

[Jackie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to include this in my reading challenge, but my goodness what a fantastic book. Getting a little emotional thinking about it!

As someone who was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder when I was 10, I wish I'd had something like this when I was little. Instead of people telling me I was crazy and paranoid, I could've had this book, which describes anxiety so well. It gives physiological reasons and explanations for how our brains work with anxiety etc.
I found this so helpful.

Absolutely a fantastic book that I would recommend to anyone, really. It really is very insightful and informative (and so cute!!)

[Kate Buechler]

My amygdala's name is Carl

[Anna Militz · Rating 5 out of 5]

i pro velký bojovníky s úzkostí!

[Laurel Jenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really helped me through my tough challenges and anxiety, I would definitely recommend this to another kid who might have anxiety. The part I liked most was when the book explained that your brain can be scared and try to protect you, even if you do not need protecting.

[Ieva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pažintis su migdoliniu kūnu- šaunumėlis.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this - for both kids and adults. It explains anxiety better than a lot of internet sites and other literature. Plus the illustrations are super cute.

[Freckles · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥

[Shelley Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to explain anxiety to kids and their adults!

[Olya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has some great ideas for kids to learn about anxiety and how to deal with it.
Wish there was a less verbose version for the very young readers.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE this book. Super great for kids dealing with anxiety. Use it for upper grades, because it has lots of higher-level information regarding the amygdala & how your body responds in flight/fight.

[Liv Frick · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was recommended by one of the drs i work with for children who have misophonia. it talks about the amygdala and explains what anxiety can feel like. i thought it was super cute and i want to remember this book for future patients. if you are in my aud program it was by dr. douglas

[Tracey Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually leave reviews but cannot recommend this book highly enough. To anyone, young or old, who experiences anxiety, has ever felt anxious (even once) or know's someone with anxiety you will benefit and enjoy it. The author's experience as a psychologist shines through as she writes this sublime story about anxieties physical effects on the body explaining the necessity of these physiological processes in our daily life that are actually of huge benefit once we understand how they came about and we can control them. This will help anyone who see's anxiety in a negative light that these processes in our bodies are actually positive required forces - needed for a Warrior in life! The illustration's complement the story beautifully and I will be purchasing several copies for gifts.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. Even though this book is aimed for children, as an adult with anxiety I related a lot with this book. I loved the way anxiety was explained and what your body goes through during the moment when you feel anxiety and why that happens. I learned a few things I didn't know before about why my body feels a certain way when I feel anxious and it totally makes sense! The illustrations are also really awesome and adorable. I love that the Amygdala is a character and how the author gives you the option of naming it some cool name. Kids love naming things! So I thought that was really cool. It's an awesome book. I highly recommend it for children and adults. I want to own this book because that's how much I love it.

[Molly P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great read for kids who worry a lot and experience anxiety. This is great for allowing students to accept their feelings and emotions. This book puts into terms what may be happening in their body when they are feeling anxiety. This will allow students to feel heard - it offers remedies to students with tools that they can use when they are experiencing anxiety. There is a section in the book called "cool things about me". This is a huge self-esteem builder for kids who are going through stress. The cognitive skill of listening to yourself and knowing what helps you and what doesn't, is a huge life-lesson for kids to learn and this book makes it easier to do so.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it's a picture book, this is really aimed at older school-aged kids. The pictures are cute (but not babyish) and there are lots of straight-forward facts, helpful tips, and very positive messaging. I had to simplify it a lot for Miss 3 (ASD, anxiety, [...]) but I think this will be good to revist when she's older.

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best school age descriptions of the amygdala and somatic experiences of anxiety that I have seen. Walks the reader through the embodied experience of anxiety and then walks the reader through breath work to self-regulate. This book stands out to me due to it having more science than the average children's book about anxiety; an example of this is discussing how feelings of dizziness may be associated with an imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. Will be using this in sessions with anxious kiddos and to teach breath work!

[Madison McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is an awesome book. When I read it I was able to recall some important tips and tricks when it comes to anxiety. I was able to relate to it and I feel as if a lot of students could as well. I think it is great that it explains anxiety in a child friendly way and then gives some ideas of coping mechanisms. I think the pictures throughout the book are exciting to look at but also help get the point across!

[Kacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars! I love this book. As someone with anxiety this was the perfect book to read. Though this book is aimed at kids it felt perfectly fitting for adults to read as well. I liked that it wasn't at all babyish. It was factual and explained in depth what anxiety is in a way that both kids could understand and that adults could read without it feeling like it was being 'dumbed down'.

This book also has a lot of tips on handling anxiety that children and adults can both follow. The art was great and I really got the feeling that both the author and artist took great care in making this book. This is a book that I'd recommend to anyone at any age who has anxiety. I really loved it :)

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came in our new book delivery at the library I work at. I read it straight away and absolutely loved it, the descriptions are beautiful and it is so well written for adults as well as children.
By the end of the week I had bought 3 copies, one for myself, my daughter and a friends daughter- ages 22, 31 and old.😂 I’ve recommended it to so many people - I can not speak highly enough about this wonderful book.

[Zahnii (Suzanne) Artis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the concept of this book - the personification of the amygdala and the explanations of anxiety.

It made me sad though that there was no diversity of race/ethnicity. The second page says “anxiety can happen to anyone,” but all the kids are white. My students won’t see themselves in this book and it reinforces the narrative that BIPOC don’t/can’t have mental health conditions and/or the stigma that anxiety (and other mental health conditions) are a white thing.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a clever way to explain to children what anxiety is and how to deal with it. It also gives tools on how to cope when anxiety gets the best of you.

I usually don't like books like this (not 5 stars worth, at least), but this was cleverly written and used age-appropriate examples. I learned a lot.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations are gorgeous and thought the explanations were very clear and accurate. My main criticism would be the age it's targeted for. It says it's 5 - 12+ years but I don't think it's digestible for kids under 8/9. Think it's more suited to older children or could be slightly modified for even teens/adults

[Clare D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must have for any parent of an anxious child, the child, and every library! Such a wonderful explanation of anxiety, the brain, and symptoms of anxiety. The book also includes strategies including recognizing anxious thoughts and breathing. I am ordering this today for our school library. I had had it when by children were young as I would have bought it then!

[Julia Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the most helpful books I’ve found on explaining anxiety - how it feels vs what is happening inside your body and why - to date. Read this book in the hope of helping my 10yo son and learnt things I didn’t know even though I’ve experienced anxiety since my early teens. A valuable read.

[Sarah Alston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is wonderful! It personifies your amygdala, explains why and how you feel when experiencing anxiety, and offers helpful tips to work through the anxiety. Very sweet, beautiful illustrations, and helpful information!

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains about your amygdala and part it plays in anxiety, advising kids to give it a name and makes friends/ take control of it. Love the illustrations that portray the amygdala as a blue, protective but friendly looking being, keeping you safe.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

For young adults/children who may be suffering from anxiety this book is amazing. Not only because it does not dumb down the material but it provides gorgeous illustrations and wonderful language that supports the very good ideas throughout.
This should be a must have for all school libraries.

[Mandy Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just a bit more juvenile than her other book “hey awesome”. It is meant for younger children (5-8 yrs old?) it was an enjoyable book about anxiety and how it to deal with all that it can do.

Plus the illustrations are just phenomenal!! 😍😍😍

[Inga Narijauskienė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smagi istorija savęs pažinimui. Apie nerimą, kaip jis atsiranda ir ką su juo daryti.
Puikios iliustracijos.

* Nerimas rodo, kad esi pasirengęs pasielgti labai drąsiai. Nerimas ir drąsa visada gyvuoja išvien - visada.

[Gintarė Laz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nuostabi knyga, tik vieną žvaigždutę nuėmiau, nes mano mažieji, kurie tikrai pripratę prie skaitomų tekstų, užmiega taip ir nepabaigus (ir ne jos psl kiekis kaltas).. Dar manau, kad lietuviai kaip britai ar prancūzai, turėtų rašyti amžiaus kategorijas, kurioms skirta knyga…