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What to Do When the News Scares You: A Kid's Guide to Understanding Current Events
"The next book in our What to Do series about helping kids process scary events and stories they are exposed to"--
80 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2021
99 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline B. Toner
15 books22 followersJacqueline Toner is the author of eight best-selling non-fiction books with psychological themes for children from preschool through adolescence. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and won praise from library associations, and awards including a Mom's Choice Award and a nomination for a Children's Choice Award.
A psychologist who practiced for over thirty years, Dr. Toner, volunteers with a youth leadership group in her hometown of Baltimore and enjoys time with her family, including her three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 4, 2022
This is an informational workbook about understanding and processing the news. Some parts of it are helpful and thoughtful, with sections dedicated to helping kids understand how the news is produced to make it seem more exciting/scary/sensational than it might really be, and how news can feel amplified when people talk about it, even when something really happened just once and in one place. I liked the way the book guides children towards taking agency over processing and responding to the news, and can imagine recommending this to teachers (with caveats) as a resource they could potentially draw on.
But here's the massive caveat: the book both entirely skirts racist violence as a category of bad news (focusing instead on bad news like climate change or a house burning down) and, in the section on adults who take care of kids, "Police" is the very first category listened—as if police are not so often the CAUSE of the terrible events and bad news that are traumatizing children today. This was a thoughtless and painful choice on the author's and editors' behalf, and results in me only being able to recommend this book conditionally—basically, I would recommend some of the earlier chapters about how to understand how the news is produced, and leave it at that.
But here's the massive caveat: the book both entirely skirts racist violence as a category of bad news (focusing instead on bad news like climate change or a house burning down) and, in the section on adults who take care of kids, "Police" is the very first category listened—as if police are not so often the CAUSE of the terrible events and bad news that are traumatizing children today. This was a thoughtless and painful choice on the author's and editors' behalf, and results in me only being able to recommend this book conditionally—basically, I would recommend some of the earlier chapters about how to understand how the news is produced, and leave it at that.
January 31, 2025
This is the book every family really needs right now. No matter what the age, from young child to adult, the news can be a scary thing. We see and hear people talk about what is in the news, what is happening around the world as well as hearing opinions of others. It can be so hard for little ones to understand. Especially when things like weather and violence are dealt with. It often adds to the stress and upset when the things we see are things we are dealing with ourselves, like bad weather. We recently went through the disaster of Helene in our community, some of our family and friends lost homes and family members. It was a scary time. I was so thankful to have been given this book by NetGalley and the publishers to help us guide our children through this scary time. My favorite activity was Taking Care Of You. In this activity we looked for the people and community that helps to take care of people, like firemen, police and rescue teams. We talked about how the community comes together to help with supplies and rescue as well. This book was also great at helping them understand what is news, what is un-news and how to understand what we hear and see.
I love this series. It has been a huge help in our home. My son is on the autism spectrum and these books are so helpful.Some times news and events are harder for him to understand and this book was essential to me during this time. I can not say enough about how amazing this book has been. I would give it a million stars!!! Share together with your family.
I love this series. It has been a huge help in our home. My son is on the autism spectrum and these books are so helpful.Some times news and events are harder for him to understand and this book was essential to me during this time. I can not say enough about how amazing this book has been. I would give it a million stars!!! Share together with your family.
September 9, 2022
This book opens up with defining what news is (general, good, bad, scary) and what the emotions scary news can bring out. It encourages kids to investigate and find out more facts about the news that scares them because they may end up learning it isn't as scary as they had thought. A good point is made about how the media's job is to get your attention, and so often, media outlets can tend to make news scarier just to draw more interest. Examples are given of how the news can be on repeat and other similar occurences are also reported, which may lead us to believe that it is something that happens often, when that might not necessarily be true. Thus, readers are encouraged to find out more so as to understand the news more accurately.
This is a good resource for anyone to talk through with a child who struggles with scary news. It helps readers to approach the situation objectively, to think through and consider news source, reliability, and to address that not all things on the internet or social media are true or factual, but may merely be opinion, rumor, or speculation. These are important factors that kids might not realize. The end of the book has practical steps to physically calm down/relax.
This is a good resource for anyone to talk through with a child who struggles with scary news. It helps readers to approach the situation objectively, to think through and consider news source, reliability, and to address that not all things on the internet or social media are true or factual, but may merely be opinion, rumor, or speculation. These are important factors that kids might not realize. The end of the book has practical steps to physically calm down/relax.
December 1, 2024
“What to do When the News Scares You” is another in the “What to do When” series from Magination Press, the children’s imprint of the American Psychological Association. This updated version walks children through steps they can take to keep calm in the face of scary news. This accessible guide can help adults work with kids to calm fears about all that is awful in the world.
It seems that scary news abounds these days so having steps to take, such as talking with a trusted adult or five count breathing, is helpful for children who get upset about current events. The workbook provides places for children to write and offers adults in their lives specific suggestions for helping. Talking about those events that are scary is an important part of working through the anxiety those events cause.
The workbook seems to be meant for children who do not have direct 24/7 access to news media on cell phones and focuses more on traditional media. This is great, but a version of this for older kids would be helpful as well.
This workbook is great for kids up to about age 12 and their adults.
I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and Magination Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It seems that scary news abounds these days so having steps to take, such as talking with a trusted adult or five count breathing, is helpful for children who get upset about current events. The workbook provides places for children to write and offers adults in their lives specific suggestions for helping. Talking about those events that are scary is an important part of working through the anxiety those events cause.
The workbook seems to be meant for children who do not have direct 24/7 access to news media on cell phones and focuses more on traditional media. This is great, but a version of this for older kids would be helpful as well.
This workbook is great for kids up to about age 12 and their adults.
I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and Magination Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 26, 2025
In a world full of frightening and easily accessible media, this 80 page workbook attempts to help children deal with their fears.
Much of the book covers practical information, such as how the media makes things scarier than they actually are through repetition and tone, and how to understand other aspects of news, such as viewpoint and sources. The last three chapters are the most helpful, pointing out that our daily lives are made of “un-news” (ordinary events), and suggests how to take care of yourself when you’re afraid, and how to make concrete changes so your life feels more secure. However, the first two chapters seem like a heavy lift for a child. They cover the child’s current worries and fears, which requires support and understanding. I would recommend covering these chapters with the guidance of a sensitive adult, or just skipping on to Chapter Three.
Despite being written by the American Psychological Association, the book does not feel like something you hand to a child who is afraid about something they saw on the news. Using it with a child, or reading it as an adult and then using the information to talk with a child, would be the more productive course.
For children grades 2-5, with adult support.
D.B.
Retired YS Librarian
Much of the book covers practical information, such as how the media makes things scarier than they actually are through repetition and tone, and how to understand other aspects of news, such as viewpoint and sources. The last three chapters are the most helpful, pointing out that our daily lives are made of “un-news” (ordinary events), and suggests how to take care of yourself when you’re afraid, and how to make concrete changes so your life feels more secure. However, the first two chapters seem like a heavy lift for a child. They cover the child’s current worries and fears, which requires support and understanding. I would recommend covering these chapters with the guidance of a sensitive adult, or just skipping on to Chapter Three.
Despite being written by the American Psychological Association, the book does not feel like something you hand to a child who is afraid about something they saw on the news. Using it with a child, or reading it as an adult and then using the information to talk with a child, would be the more productive course.
For children grades 2-5, with adult support.
D.B.
Retired YS Librarian
September 10, 2021
When children see, hear, or read the news, they are often worried or confused about what is happening. They may have feelings that are uncomfortable or make them unhappy. Sometimes the way news is reported makes it scarier. Readers are taught about viewpoints, sources and ways to discover if what they are hearing is real.
This is a hands on workbook, with opportunities for the reader to write and draw about personal information - so I might be concerned buying this for the library. However, it's a great guide to information literacy. The child can respond throughout in words or drawings "Draw a picture of something you saw on TV" or "list 2 adults you can tell your worries to"; they can watch a news story and notice the things that make it seem more exciting. I loved that it began with notes for Parents and Caregivers and recommends that it be read together. I couldn't find any accommodations in the copyright for use in the classroom, but it would make a great springboard for preparing a lesson about the news.
Crossposted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
This is a hands on workbook, with opportunities for the reader to write and draw about personal information - so I might be concerned buying this for the library. However, it's a great guide to information literacy. The child can respond throughout in words or drawings "Draw a picture of something you saw on TV" or "list 2 adults you can tell your worries to"; they can watch a news story and notice the things that make it seem more exciting. I loved that it began with notes for Parents and Caregivers and recommends that it be read together. I couldn't find any accommodations in the copyright for use in the classroom, but it would make a great springboard for preparing a lesson about the news.
Crossposted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
April 7, 2025
I grabbed this along with a couple other titles that the Washington Post Book World email recommended. I am very impressed and found this to be concretely helpful for me in relating myself to news of a world on fire, as well as for parenting kids who smell the smoke and/or feel the heat. Yes, there are ways in which I think it has an optimism/idealism that becomes a bit magical thinking rather than engaged with reality, but I also trust that the American Psychological Association is better than me at developmentally appropriate teaching.
I would guess, based on this book, that others in the series (What to Do When Mistakes Make You Quake; What To Do When Climate Change Scares You; What to Do When It's Not Fair; et al.) would also be great resources for parents and even for some kids to read themselves.
I would guess, based on this book, that others in the series (What to Do When Mistakes Make You Quake; What To Do When Climate Change Scares You; What to Do When It's Not Fair; et al.) would also be great resources for parents and even for some kids to read themselves.
November 6, 2024
Think of all of the scary tragedies that have been in the news in recent years: church and synagogue shootings, the COVID pandemic, attempted presidential assassinations, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, countless school shootings. As much as we’d like to protect our children from abysmal news, we parents cannot. Dr. Jacqueline Toner has written a wonderful book with clear, accessible writing, questions for parents and children to tackle together, and activities to help children understand. Highly, highly, highly recommended.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, the American Psychological Association and Magination Press in exchange for an honest review.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, the American Psychological Association and Magination Press in exchange for an honest review.
Read
January 9, 2024I flipped through this book. I like that this book exists and the topics of the other books in this series (What to do when you worry to much, What to do when it's not fair, etc.), but it's such a comprehensive workbook it seems most appropriate for the child who has identified their problem and is proactively looking for a solution. Or maybe not to be used as a workbook but for the parent to read in order to speak with their child about these issues. Or it could even be used in a class.
February 12, 2022
No doubt about it--the news is scary, and it never seems to improve. Plus, it is everywhere--TVs, smartphones, computers. It can be overwhelming and depressing. Many school have support groups for fears and situations for their students, and this would be an ideal book to use as a discussion guide.
July 15, 2022
This workbook published by the American Psychological Association provides useful questions and information for children to better understand news and how to take care of themselves in the face of overwhelming information.
December 15, 2023
ooooo okay this was really cool. As a librarian we'll have to watch out that kids aren't filling the book out like you're supposed to, but I love the different critical analysis tools the book provides.
May 20, 2024
Helped a lot in 2023 and 2024, the world we see from media’s lens is very distorted.
The media earns money through exaggerating the negative, especially through headlines.
A wonderful written book with great approach.
The media earns money through exaggerating the negative, especially through headlines.
A wonderful written book with great approach.
Want to read
December 19, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
November 28, 2022
It's actually a black and white workbook with stories and writing in between. I think it serves as a good reminder to both kids and adults about our relationship with the news.
January 22, 2023
3.5 stars for this useful workbook to help kids process scary news stories. It has limitations, but could be helpful in talking through tough subjects.
January 31, 2023
Well designed workbook to help kids process scary news. Part of the What-to-Do Guides by Imagination Press. Thoughtfully designed with informative text and activities woven together.
October 6, 2024
Kiddo (10) really enjoyed this book. It does a good job helping kids understand why the news always seems so scary, how "exciting" often also means "scary" and how reporters try to make stories as exciting as possible. There are some great reminders and exercises to help calm anxiety about the news, including fact-checking the things that you hear and reminding yourself that there is plenty of "un-news" that goes on every day - much more than is considered newsworthy.
It is a little wordier than other books in this series, with longer paragraphs and more focus on presenting information than exercises, so it might benefit kids to read it along with an adult.
I would definitely recommend it, especially for kids who are struggling with anxiety over current events (for my kiddo at the moment, it is climate change and politics).
*Thanks to Magination Press for providing an early copy for review.
It is a little wordier than other books in this series, with longer paragraphs and more focus on presenting information than exercises, so it might benefit kids to read it along with an adult.
I would definitely recommend it, especially for kids who are struggling with anxiety over current events (for my kiddo at the moment, it is climate change and politics).
*Thanks to Magination Press for providing an early copy for review.
January 21, 2025
(Full transparency that I haven't read the original version before this updated one, so I can't speak to any changes made.)
This is a wonderfully informative, helpful resource for kids who are worrying about scary things they see in the news. It does a great job of breaking down the scary situation step by step, so kids can digest the information without it all being too overwhelming. Fact-checking, communicating with adults about their fears and feelings, putting situations into perspective, regulating their emotions and bodily anxiety/panic, etc. are all covered with honesty, tact, and interactive questions and activities that get the reader involved and (hopefully) feeling more in control.
I'm excited to look into similar guides from this publisher!
(Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.)
This is a wonderfully informative, helpful resource for kids who are worrying about scary things they see in the news. It does a great job of breaking down the scary situation step by step, so kids can digest the information without it all being too overwhelming. Fact-checking, communicating with adults about their fears and feelings, putting situations into perspective, regulating their emotions and bodily anxiety/panic, etc. are all covered with honesty, tact, and interactive questions and activities that get the reader involved and (hopefully) feeling more in control.
I'm excited to look into similar guides from this publisher!
(Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews