The Worry Box

by Suzanne Chiew

Murray Bear has lots of worries. What if the waterfall he’s visiting is too loud? What if he’s not very good at climbing? And what if all his friends laugh at him? With the help of his sister, Milly, Murray makes a special box in which to keep all his worries. But can the worry box really help? With wonderfully soft illustrations from Sean Julian ( I'll Love You For Ever , A Friend Like You , Bear Can't Sleep! ), this is the perfect book for children dealing with anxiety or feeling nervous about starting at a new school or nursery.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Animals, Mental Health, Emotion, Fiction

32 pages, paperback

First published January 19, 2018

Reviews

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both of my kids enjoyed this book. Afterward we talked about worrying. I asked if they ever feel worried. Here is a rough approximation of my son’s reply:

Yeah, I feel worried. I feel worried right now. I worry my foot broke and I need surgery, or a heavy weight could fall on it. And I’d need surgery. And my head hurts and I could need surgery for that. Or my stomach. I might need to go to the hospital. I have worries I don’t even know about yet.

Looks like we’ll be making a worry box of our own!

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een mooi boek voor kinderen die piekeren of angstgedachten hebben

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Dit is mijn zorgendoosje,’ zei ze. ‘Als ik me ergens zorgen over maak,
schrijf ik het op en stop ik het in dit doosje.’ ‘Gaan je zorgen dan weg?’

Sommige kinderen zijn denkertjes en zelfs kleine gebeurtenissen of veranderingen kunnen veel denkwerk oproepen. Vragen zoals ‘Wat als dit? Wat als dat?’ wakkeren onzekerheid en angst aan. Het hoofd blijft vol met gedachten.

Max, de kleine beer, heeft een denkplek. Een plek waar hij de wirwar in zijn hoofd probeert te ontwarren. De vragen buitelen over elkaar heen, de kluwen gedachten wordt steeds vaster aangetrokken. Hij heeft geen honger, hij wil niets, hij piekert.
Milly, zijn grote berenzus, komt hem halen. Ze gaan met konijn Alfie zwemmen bij de onbekende waterval. Milly probeert hem gerust te stellen, want zorgen delen helpt om ze minder groot te laten lijken. En dan deelt ze een geheimpje met Max. Milly heeft een ‘zorgendoosje’. Als ze zich zorgen maakt, schrijft ze dit op een briefje en stopt het in dit doosje. Ze kan dan weer leuke dingen doen.
Voor Max maakt ze ook een doosje. Daarna gaan ze vrolijk op weg naar de waterval. Daar zijn ook andere dieren die andere dingen willen dan Max van tevoren wist. Het ‘wat als’ begint weer, maar nu heeft hij zijn speciale doosje!

In rustige kleuren en mooie, sfeervolle illustraties wordt lief en tevens krachtig een belangrijk thema op sociaal-emotioneel niveau neergezet. Onzekerheid, niet durven, angst voor het onbekende, maken dat piekeren een mooi moment gaat beheersen. Als je deelt waarover je nadenkt, is er weer ruimte in je gedachten om te genieten of iets nieuws te ontdekken. Ook Max gaat iets ontdekken in dit mooie verhaal over empathie voor de ander en je gedachten delen. Hij leert omgaan met het piekeren, waardoor hij zélf anderen kan helpen.

Een nieuwe klas, de vakantieplek, iemand die ziek is, verhuizen of een kinderfeestje, er is veel te bedenken van groot tot kleiner waarbij dit prentenboek kan aansluiten. Een warm aan te raden verhaal voor thuis en op school, waardoor je sterker kunt worden. Een verhaal waarin je leert dat iets engs eng kan blijven, maar door een goede benadering ermee om kunt gaan, dat eng ook leuk kan zijn. ‘Voor wie kan jij een ‘vuurvliegje in de nacht’ zijn?’, kan een mooie vraag zijn als je het boek dichtslaat.
Vanaf ong. 4 jaar en iedereen die een keer dit zorgendoosje nodig heeft.

[Ashlee Tominey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations of the woods. Story about Murray and his worries, and how his sister and friends help him and each other. Murray creates a Worry Box where he can write down his worries and share them and it helps him feel less alone (and a little less worried).

My almost 5 year old proclaimed "awwwwe" at the end :)

[Kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent picture book introducing tools on dealing with worries.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, what adorable illustrations. The story is sweet and such a great way to encourage children about what to do when they worry. A great idea! I might try it myself.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Molly Bear realizes that her brother Murray is anxious about new experiences and seems to dread their planned trip to the waterfall, she reassures him about the adventure and shares a secret with him. Whenever Molly is plagued with worries, she records them and puts them in a worry box. Murray loves the idea, and they set off on their trip. Each time a worry starts to creep up on Murray, he puts it into his special box. Later, when one of the siblings' new friends becomes anxious about not getting home before dark, Murray shares his coping mechanism with her. Not only does this picture book work to reassure anyone who has fears--and who doesn't?--but its illustrations are lovely, filled with lush greens and blues that show off the natural landscape into which the bears have venture in order to visit their rabbit friends. Reading this book helps youngsters and their caregivers relax and actually enjoy whatever new happens to come their way.

[William Bishbop · Rating 4 out of 5]

The worry box by Suzanne Chiew is the perfect story for both KS1 and KS2 that tackles chilrening worries and axiety within their day to day. This book was published in 2018 and the use of the illustration and story allows children to feel connected to this sotry and relate it to their own worries or troubles, this could then be later discussed though PSHE and coul incorprate their own 'worry box' for the classroom to help if they feel worried. The story relates to a small bear who has a lot of worries and are unable to express them leading to him being sad and worried but with the help of his sister he can write down his worries to try and minimise his worries so it doesnt get in the way of his adventures and day "the worries might not disappear, but they wont stop you doing things".

[Niharika · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Worry Box is a story about a bear who is afraid of climbing a waterfall. His sister comes to his rescue, comforts him, and shares a worry box. When it's time to climb the waterfall, the bear feels all sweaty with his heart racing. But then he writes down his worries and keeps them in the worry box. His worries no longer control him and let him have fun. When it's time to go back home, it starts getting dark and his friends feel worried. At that moment, the bear comforts them and shares the tool worry box with them.

This story highlights that it is okay to worry but we shouldn't let our worries grip us. By writing about our worries and seeking help from trusted friends, parents, or counselors, we can feel better and find solutions to our worries.

[Brooklyn || The Wild Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. As a kid who was prone to worrying, I would have benefited greatly from reading such a positive story- and would have been all over making my own worry box! At first I felt like some of the worries disappeared far too easily once they were put into the worry box, but then the ending changed my mind- it was clear that the worries were still there, just easier to deal with. I think that for a picturebook, the concept of worry, fear, and anxiety were discussed in a manner relative to the intended audience. A tangible thing like a worry box offers anxious readers a unique support tool, and I loved how the worry box was shared from friend to friend.

[Paige Freisen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was reading The Worry Box I really liked it because it teaches children who worry a little bit more or who have some anxiety problems a few little tricks to help them deal with those issues. I also liked how in the book when Murray bear is worrying it is his sister Molly that helps him deal with his worries, this is a good book to read to siblings to also show them how to help out one another at times.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murray worries about many things which keeps him from experiencing some adventures. His older sister, Molly, helps him calm his fears by writing them down and putting them in a Worry Box. Readers see him go on adventures with Molly and other friends. He even helps a new friend by letting then write down their worry and putting it in his box.
An encouraging story to help young (and not so young) children find coping styles.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just added this new picture book to our library collection, and what a gem. The title attracted me, because I admit, I tend to worry. The verse could be soothing to any timid child or adult in need of reassurance. It's a lovely little story of friendship and understanding, and the beautiful artwork adds to the calming affect of the message.

[Jocelyn Hee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had lovely illustrations and a nice story about dealing with worries and anxiety. The character is given a worry box to contain and manage his anxieties. This book can be the example for how a child can overcome his anxieties by emulating the character's use of the worry box so it has great therapeutic teaching potential.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about a cub who is worried about a day trip, but finds out how to deal with his worries and is able to teach others how to deal with their worries.
This book has beautiful artwork and relatable worries. There could have been another way to show how to deal with worries, but writing them down and putting them in a box helps.

[Denise Wouw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute en goed idee voor kinderen van groep 3 en ouder om het piekeren te verhelpen (schrijf zorgen op en doe ze in een doosje). Mijn groep tweeër kan nog niet schrijven en snapte niet waarom je je zorgen in een doos zou stoppen, daar worden ze blijkbaar enger en je wil ze niet bewaren dus je moet je zorgen weggooien 🤷‍♀️ de groep vierer snapte het goed

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book. What if? When? Where?

Which one of us has felt fear about trying new things. This book is about those feelings and how having someone caring helps new things a great adventure.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anxiety seems to be a growing topic among children. This could be a good discussion starter.



I loved the page where they were climbing a tree because you have to turn the book sideways to see it all. Makes the tree look so big!

[Corvid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book to encompass the way anxiety can be debilitating, but proving to impressionable minds that it doesn’t HAVE to be. The art is perfect, and even as an adult I plan to take this book to my therapist! Lol

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book that teaches children how to deal with overwhelming worries and fears. I love that not only does the main character find how to deal with his fears, but he reaches out and helps someone else dealing with those same fears.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book about a young bear who is worried about things throughout his day and the trick his sister teaches him to help handle the worries. Very relatable and easily duplicated in a child's life. Preschool and up

[Little Seesaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little bear has a lot to worry about. His sister gives him a worry box. I love it when the little sister says putting your worries in the box doesn't make them go away, but when they are in the box, they won't stop you from having fun. I love this so true.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet book. It's great for children who worry about things. It's also about friendship and wonder and beauty of nature. I really liked it.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story about anxiety and how to alleviate it for young children. What a great idea for a little one. I really like the idea of a worry box.

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet way to teach kids how to handle their worries.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bear uses a worry box to help him contain his doubts and fears.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bear worries about various things. His sister gives him a tool to be able to cope with his worrying. Nice story.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about not letting fear get in the way of new experiences.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely story and wonderful gift to children who may face worry. Very worth reading even if the child doesn't have worries.

[Esutterlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murray Bear's sister, Molly, suggests Murray write down each of his worries into a "Worry box," to help him not be so nervous or frightened that it keeps him from doing things.