Facing Your Fear of Water
(Facing Your Fears)

Gr 1-3--Things that make children's hearts race with that tinge of heightened anxiety are explained in detail for a younger audience. There is a normalization without any shame for the specific fears addressed and then they are dispelled in a way that does not dismiss children's feelings. Each fear is gently unpacked with explanations, some scientific illustrations, and photographs to both show and tell what is happening in each situation. While these are unlikely to free children from their feelings totally, addressing fears like darkness and plane rides gives a validation of the feelings that might assuage some anxiety. VERDICT Caregivers would benefit the most from this series as a way to address individual fears and to help develop empathy for others' fears.