FICTION

The Little Book of Big Fears

by Monica ARNALDO
illus. by Monica Arnaldo. 40p. Owlkids. 2015. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781771470476. LC 2014958761.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2—Snakes and math and legumes, oh my! This alphabetical collection of the fears that plague children is a must-have for most collections. Soft watercolor illustrations featuring diverse characters allow readers to identify with at least one of the children, sparking great discussion about their own anxieties. Children will immediately pick up on the fact that there are some missing letters. A note at the end explains, "Everyone has fears,/some big, some very small./It's normal to get scared sometimes—/it happens to us all./But learn from the missing letters—/to them you must look. They were/GUTSY & BRAVE/and so not in this book."
VERDICT A fun read for all.
Reviewed by Betsy Davison, Cortland Free Library, NY
"C is for Claire, who recoiled from legumes. / D is for Drew, who hid from raccoons." Steady rhymes and winkingly somber paintings showcase kids facing relatable fears, both mortal and psychological--for example, fear of one's "replacement" (younger sibling). In an afterword, the letters of the alphabet not featured combine into an inspirational message.
 , Sep 01, 2015

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