Ruby's worry by Tom Percival

Ruby’s Worry is a brightly coloured board book that discusses childhood worries in a perceptive and thoughtful manner. Ruby is a happy child who loves to live life. However, one day she notices a worry. It is very small at first, but then it grows bigger and is aways hovering around Ruby; whether she is at home, at school, in the playground, wherever she goes. Ruby feels as though it will stay with her forever. Until one day she sees a boy sitting by himself and she notices something hovering about him. It’s a worry! She is not alone. Other children have worries too. She begins to talk with the boy about what is bothering him and as he talks, she notices his worry begin to shrink. Ruby learns that by talking about her worry she can cause it to shrink.

This charming story is the first board book from author Tom Percival’s bestselling Big Bright Feelings series. The diverse characters and appealing illustrations with the worries represented by yellow and blue splodges will attract its young audience. It is an excellent book to share at home, in a childcare or early learning centre as well as kindergarten and junior primary classrooms.

Themes: Feelings, Wellbeing, Emotions, Anxiety, Worry.

Kathryn Beilby