I longed to be the hero in the school play,
to make new friends
and have a big birthday -
But I've always been stopped
By the Pain in my Chest ...
An uplifting story of how children can beat those anxious feelings
Through this rhyming tale, we follow our young narrator through a series of stressful situations. She wants to try out for the school play and make a new friend at dance camp - but the pain in her chest always gets in her way. She finally opens up to her Mum who explains the pain in her chest is called 'anxiety'. With her Mum's understanding and support, she slowly cures the pain in her chest.
while it may break our hearts to see little ones struggle with their feelings, showing them that it's ok to not feel ok is vitally important ... a sweet rhyming tale, following a young narrator as she finds herself in some stressful situations
-- Sunday Times Irelanda problem shared is indeed a problem halved, and though it does not instantly mean being able to take that starring role in the school play, it does help to ensure anxiety is less likely to define you, when the more you talk, saying loud and far, that the pain in your chest is not who you are. With expressive illustrations by Dublin-based artist Bronagh Lee, The Pain in My Chest is a positive picture book perfect for opening conversations to help young children deal with feelings of anxiety
-- The Echoan excellent book for explaining what anxiety is in simple terms
-- Belfast Telegraphan insightful debut on anxiety, exploring how focusing on the 'what ifs' can keep us from experiencing life at its fullest. Featuring eye-catching illustrations, we follow a little girl who is constantly held back from trying new things by the pain in her chest. A useful story for little readers who can find their worries overwhelming
-- Children's Books Ireland in the Irish Examinerrealistic and age appropriate ... give opportunity for discussion and scope for making connections ... as a teacher, the story gave plenty of scope to develop a lesson plan around the theme. Although the theme of the story was quickly picked up by the older pupils, I think this book, due to the ages in the timeline is best suited to an audience of infants to second class. The theme is topical and important in today's society and so I feel that it is a book that needs to be explored more than once with a class/child ... beautifully illustrated ... The pictures also give ample opportunities for discussion and hypothesising ... This book would provide an excellent resource in any school and for any parent who wants to teach their child(ren) about anxiety
-- Laura Sweeney Egan, Conahy NS, Co. Kilkenny * Seomra Ranga *