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Hattie Harmony #2
Hattie Harmony: Opening Night
In this sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling Hattie Worry Detective by Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett, Hattie shares new tools for managing anxiety, just in time for opening night of the school play.
It's opening night of the school play and there are plenty of nerves to go around! There are lines to be memorized, costumes to sew, and sets to paint. It's a good thing Hattie Harmony is ready to help her friends soothe their worries with everything in her trusted tool belt. Will Hattie be able to settle the pre-show jitters before the curtain call?
In this dazzling sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling Hattie Worry Detective, critically acclaimed actress Elizabeth Olsen and esteemed musician and writer Robbie Arnett have crafted another relatable tale to introduce the youngest reader to the importance of self-care.
It's opening night of the school play and there are plenty of nerves to go around! There are lines to be memorized, costumes to sew, and sets to paint. It's a good thing Hattie Harmony is ready to help her friends soothe their worries with everything in her trusted tool belt. Will Hattie be able to settle the pre-show jitters before the curtain call?
In this dazzling sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling Hattie Worry Detective, critically acclaimed actress Elizabeth Olsen and esteemed musician and writer Robbie Arnett have crafted another relatable tale to introduce the youngest reader to the importance of self-care.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2023
3 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Olsen
7 books91 followersElizabeth Chase Olsen is an American actress and author. She is best known for her portrayal of Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe media franchise. Her performance in WandaVision (2021) garnered her nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Olsen and her husband Robbie Arnett co-wrote a children's book, titled Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective, which is slated for a June 2022 release.
Olsen and her husband Robbie Arnett co-wrote a children's book, titled Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective, which is slated for a June 2022 release.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 13, 2023
Such a lovely book! Even though it's aimed for little kids, the tips to ease anxiety used in the story can definitely come in handy for anyone.
P.S.:The cartoons are so so cute!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
P.S.:The cartoons are so so cute!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 26, 2023
So many calming techniques and applications. It was a really cute book on worry, anxiety in a way that children can understand and apply to help. The illustrations are great too!
June 4, 2023
Thanks to Penguin Random House for the free review copy.
This is such a sweet tale of how several young children worked through their anxiety about the school play. Hattie Harmony helps them all find strategies that calm them and help them to be successful members of the cast and crew. She brings in simple methods that anyone can implement. This book had playful animal illustrations throughout and a happy ending.
This is such a sweet tale of how several young children worked through their anxiety about the school play. Hattie Harmony helps them all find strategies that calm them and help them to be successful members of the cast and crew. She brings in simple methods that anyone can implement. This book had playful animal illustrations throughout and a happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2023
Lizzie and Robbie could do no wrong.
July 4, 2023
Just like the first book in the series, this book strives to help children from age 4-8 manage worries and anxiety. Although the book covers a more serious topic, it is as much a creative story as it is a pedagogical book. The book follows a cat named Hattie Harmony who’s a ‘worry detective’ and who ‘solves’ her friends’ fears by giving them useful tools. Sometimes she needs to use the tools herself. I love the idea that the main character is a detective who her friends can call when they have a ‘case’ to solve, aka their worry or anxiety. It’s a very cute idea. I think that makes the book a lot more fun and accessible for young readers. The art in the book is also very pretty and cute.
There were a few things that stood out to me that made me think about ideas for the coming books.
In the first two books, the characters usually feel a lot better after using a certain tool, almost as if the negative feeling goes away completely and why they manage to follow through with what they are afraid of. Perhaps in later books, it would be interesting to show some instances where a character maintains a feeling of worry or anxiety, and still decides to push through.
I also think it would be interesting to show moments where characters decide to not engage in whatever makes them afraid. Even at such a young age, I think it’s important to teach kids how to listen to their body and know when something is way our of their comfort zone. You don’t need to stand up to your fears all the time. Sometimes it’s okay to take a break. Some fears don’t need to be conquered today.
Overall, I think it’s wonderful that Robbie Arnett and Elizabeth Olsen have started this book series about anxiety in children. I’m in my 20’s and have struggled with anxiety all my life, and I definitely needed that when I was a child. <3
There were a few things that stood out to me that made me think about ideas for the coming books.
In the first two books, the characters usually feel a lot better after using a certain tool, almost as if the negative feeling goes away completely and why they manage to follow through with what they are afraid of. Perhaps in later books, it would be interesting to show some instances where a character maintains a feeling of worry or anxiety, and still decides to push through.
I also think it would be interesting to show moments where characters decide to not engage in whatever makes them afraid. Even at such a young age, I think it’s important to teach kids how to listen to their body and know when something is way our of their comfort zone. You don’t need to stand up to your fears all the time. Sometimes it’s okay to take a break. Some fears don’t need to be conquered today.
Overall, I think it’s wonderful that Robbie Arnett and Elizabeth Olsen have started this book series about anxiety in children. I’m in my 20’s and have struggled with anxiety all my life, and I definitely needed that when I was a child. <3
June 29, 2023
Very cute book that makes different anxiety coping tools easy to understand and even has a list at the end to further explain the tools Hattie uses within this story. I love the art and all the colors used throughout this story
June 13, 2023
LOVE THIS! Way better than the first book, really has helpful tips on managing anxieties and panic attacks! (Also this was read by LIZZIE AND ROBBIE SO NO ONE TALK TO ME)
May 22, 2024
I was surprised to find myself impressed with the first Hattie Harmony book. (I tend to be wary of celebrity authors but I admit I was wrong here!) This sequel, with a focus on anxiety surrounding participation in a theater performance (instead of classroom/school based anxiety like the first book) is equally well done. So many children’s books about anxiety make me want to boo and hiss but this one has me shouting “BRAVO!”
First, we have a charming story and fun illustrations that really capture the spirit of preparing for a theater show from perspective of both actors and tech crew (and it doesn’t feel annoyingly didactic). But what I really appreciate the approach to anxiety here. I love that readers come away with tools to help them cope when anxiety inevitably arises. Often in situations where someone feels anxious, another person tries to help by downplaying the situation, saying “don’t worry” or “it’s not a big deal” – however well-meaning, that never really helped me much with my anxiety. I love that this book goes deeper. Sometimes, you can do some affirmations and the like to get back on track (like the “worry, worry, go away, there’s no time for you today!” affirmation in the book). Sometimes, however, you need something that is more physical (breathing, movement, EFT or acupressure, etc.) When that autonomous nervous system is on tilt, when a stressful situation hijacks that amygdala into fight-flight-or-freeze, the body itself needs to calm down before the mind can be rational again.
This book provides a variety of tools for handling anxiety, so the child will have a fuller toolbox and can pull out what is most helpful in any given situation.
Various characters use each of these tools in the story and here I excerpt from the back matter which provides a bit more info on each tool:
Journaling: “When our worries feel very big, journaling can organize the overwhelming thoughts and make them more manageable.”
Creative Expression/Creative Thinking: “The creative arts can help us regulate, communicate, and understand our deepest selves better. It’s important to remove any judgement so creative juices can flow!”
Brain Breaks: “Brain breaks are when people are given a set period of time for a mental time-out. Short, physical bursts (like stretching or exercises like jumping jacks” or a mindful break that uses our senses (touch, hearing, smell, sight, taste) can help kids take a break from their thoughts and reenergize and refocus with more clarity.”
Guided Imagery: “When we use our imaginations to think of positive and happy experiences or beautiful, peaceful places, we bring more awareness to our feelings and our brains can increase levels of endorphins and serotonin – putting us in a more relaxed state.”
Affirmations: “[Affirmations can] replace anxiety-producing thoughts and negative self-talk.”
Of course, every person is different and what resonates for one may not resonate for others, but I’m so glad this book exists and I do recommend at least checking it out if your children struggle with worry or anxiety. This is the sort of book I wish had been around when I was a child and I hope it finds its way into the hands of children out there who need to have these tools, whether they are simply facing some temporary worries with an upcoming performance (be it theater, sports, etc.) or whether they have a more generalized anxiety and could use these tools to help them in their daily life.
First, we have a charming story and fun illustrations that really capture the spirit of preparing for a theater show from perspective of both actors and tech crew (and it doesn’t feel annoyingly didactic). But what I really appreciate the approach to anxiety here. I love that readers come away with tools to help them cope when anxiety inevitably arises. Often in situations where someone feels anxious, another person tries to help by downplaying the situation, saying “don’t worry” or “it’s not a big deal” – however well-meaning, that never really helped me much with my anxiety. I love that this book goes deeper. Sometimes, you can do some affirmations and the like to get back on track (like the “worry, worry, go away, there’s no time for you today!” affirmation in the book). Sometimes, however, you need something that is more physical (breathing, movement, EFT or acupressure, etc.) When that autonomous nervous system is on tilt, when a stressful situation hijacks that amygdala into fight-flight-or-freeze, the body itself needs to calm down before the mind can be rational again.
This book provides a variety of tools for handling anxiety, so the child will have a fuller toolbox and can pull out what is most helpful in any given situation.
Various characters use each of these tools in the story and here I excerpt from the back matter which provides a bit more info on each tool:
Journaling: “When our worries feel very big, journaling can organize the overwhelming thoughts and make them more manageable.”
Creative Expression/Creative Thinking: “The creative arts can help us regulate, communicate, and understand our deepest selves better. It’s important to remove any judgement so creative juices can flow!”
Brain Breaks: “Brain breaks are when people are given a set period of time for a mental time-out. Short, physical bursts (like stretching or exercises like jumping jacks” or a mindful break that uses our senses (touch, hearing, smell, sight, taste) can help kids take a break from their thoughts and reenergize and refocus with more clarity.”
Guided Imagery: “When we use our imaginations to think of positive and happy experiences or beautiful, peaceful places, we bring more awareness to our feelings and our brains can increase levels of endorphins and serotonin – putting us in a more relaxed state.”
Affirmations: “[Affirmations can] replace anxiety-producing thoughts and negative self-talk.”
Of course, every person is different and what resonates for one may not resonate for others, but I’m so glad this book exists and I do recommend at least checking it out if your children struggle with worry or anxiety. This is the sort of book I wish had been around when I was a child and I hope it finds its way into the hands of children out there who need to have these tools, whether they are simply facing some temporary worries with an upcoming performance (be it theater, sports, etc.) or whether they have a more generalized anxiety and could use these tools to help them in their daily life.
July 17, 2023
First sentence: Opening night had arrived...and Wildwood Elementary was preparing for the school play. There was still work to be done, and some of the students had a case of the OPENING NIGHT jitters. Luckily, Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective was ready to help.
Premise/plot: Hattie Harmony (Worry Detective) returns for her second picture book. In this one, she is helping behind the scenes everyone deal with anxiety and stage fright. She has helpful tips for the characters in the books. These tips can also prove helpful (perhaps) (at least in theory) to young readers.
My thoughts: I enjoyed both Hattie Harmony books. Hattie is a fun character with a catchy catchphrase. She is kind, helpful, understanding. The books might come across as slightly didactic, but, not in a horrible way. More like the "educational" and "informational" programs on television. Like I said, I personally enjoyed the book.
Premise/plot: Hattie Harmony (Worry Detective) returns for her second picture book. In this one, she is helping behind the scenes everyone deal with anxiety and stage fright. She has helpful tips for the characters in the books. These tips can also prove helpful (perhaps) (at least in theory) to young readers.
My thoughts: I enjoyed both Hattie Harmony books. Hattie is a fun character with a catchy catchphrase. She is kind, helpful, understanding. The books might come across as slightly didactic, but, not in a horrible way. More like the "educational" and "informational" programs on television. Like I said, I personally enjoyed the book.
July 19, 2023
The subject of this book has great promise at a time when our youth are more traumatized by worry than ever before, but unfortunately it was delivered in a rather messy way. What 2 to 6-year-old kids can journal?? most are still learning their alphabet! This would have been better delivered as a Non-Fiction book for slighly older children, with more text than fiction. My favorite part was the author's note; the subject of mindset, mindfulness, and worry/anxiety is a fabulous one (all for it) but the delivery of the tools (journaling, creative thinking, brain breaks, guided imagery, and affirmations) didn't quite hit the mark for me. Too many characters. Not sure this will work for kids. But I may be wrong (I often am!), I sure hope so.
January 14, 2024
This helpful story shows kids how to deal with worry in various forms and manage difficult emotions like anxiety with tools introduced by a savvy feline: journaling, creative expression, brain breaks, guided imagery, and affirmations. Cute illustrations depict a menagerie of animals working through their feelings together. The Author’s Note contains helpful suggestions for managing emotions and descriptions of the therapeutic tools used in the book.
October 21, 2023
This is a great book about a group of school friends putting on a play. Hattie Harmony is the Worry Detective. She has multiple tools at hand to help her friends through any anxiety problem that comes up.
Many different types of mindfulness tools are presented in this story. Parents will find it quite useful. Recommended.
Many different types of mindfulness tools are presented in this story. Parents will find it quite useful. Recommended.
December 17, 2023
Another one for my SEL teaching library! I hope they make a series out of this ! The story is fun and the integration of self-regulation of tools didn’t feel overly contrived. The deeper explanations of those tools at the back of the book was appreciated, and I think it would make an excellent gift for new parents entering the toddler stage.
July 10, 2023
Hattie is back and helping her classmates cope with their nerves before Opening Night of their elementary school productions. She offers more techniques and advice. The illustrations are delightful. Again, Olsen provides information for adults at the end.
November 7, 2023
This book had lots of positive ideas about how to deal with worry that can happen during an opening night! Ripped clothes, forgot your line? Hattie Harmony Worry Detective is on the case to help you find coping mechanisms that are age appropriate.
June 19, 2023
Literally the sweetest
June 23, 2023
Must read
July 2, 2023
Hattie is back helping fellow classmates deal with the jitters that arise before a live performance.
July 5, 2023
Perfect series for kids with anxiety or trouble with feelings
July 20, 2023
Elizabeth Olsen, I continue to love every book in this series. Thank you for creating such a compassionate and kind character!
July 23, 2023
Fun pictures and cute story! The story introduces helpful tools for dealing with stress and anxiety geared for young children but a great reminder for people of all ages.
August 21, 2023
Lots of mindfulness techniques added in here in a non threatening way. Love it.
October 30, 2023
This reminded me of Sing! Jenny Journal is a good tool for kids. I'm glad Hattie also got upset and had to work through her fears, rather than just saving everyone else.
January 15, 2024
Me and my little sister love to read it together
April 7, 2024
Provides kids with practical tools for working through worry, fear, and anxiety all in a fun story. My kids were reciting the “worry, worry go away” mantra by the end of the book.
May 22, 2025
I didn't think I really care for this Hattie Harmony series. I don't find the tips Hattie gives to actually be useful in combating mental unless. And the illustrations are too busy for my taste.
September 10, 2025
Very cute book and so great for talking about different ways to help work through big emotions
December 28, 2025
I loved their first book and also love their 2nd book. So cute and love the story.
December 24, 2023
It's better than the previous book and her writing skill improves!
The story flows effortlessly, the graphic's mesmerizing I love it
The story flows effortlessly, the graphic's mesmerizing I love it
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews