Name and Tame Your Anxiety: A Kid's Guide

I purchased multiple copies of this book for friends of mine with high anxiety children.Disclaimer: I also know Summer Batte (the author), have enjoyed and followed her writing over the years, and made my purchases to support both her and (I was hoping) my friends.So there I was, a woman with no children, lots of anxiety, and a book teaching kids (Reading Level Grade 6; Interest Level Ages 9-13) how to identify and address their anxiety. What's a girl to do? I confess, I had intended to read the book to make sure it would be an appropriate gift (Sorry, Summer!), but I did not expect what happened next.This book is for EVERYONE. The friends I'd purchased the book for have younger children, and I had assumed there would be a lot of information to help parents identify their child's anxiety and learn ways to communicate openly about it. Now I think this book should have two covers. The current one, "A Kid's Guide", and a second one that says "A Human's Guide" because OH MY GOSH.This is definitely not a children's picture book.The first page, "A Note to Kids" introduces the notion of anxiety as a natural part of life by asking, "Have you ever felt worried about something that hasn't happened yet--like a big test or your first meeting at a new club?" followed by, "That's anxiety!". It also acknowledges (in a frank, perfectly supportive, and non-judgemental way) that there are many ways of learning how to address/manage your anxiety, some of which may include counseling/therapy/medication. This book reads a bit more like a really good science book (it is, after all, a manual) with aGlossary, Resources, Bibliography and Index in the back. I'm not sure I would hand it to just any elementary school child expecting them to read it cover to cover (you'd need to gauge that on a per child basis), but I guarantee, every single person who reads this book will come out with profound yet basic knowlege, tools, and resources to help them understand, identify, accept, and address their own anxiety...without causing anxiety!Note: Part 1, Chapter 2 jumps right in to some big words brain science (amygdala, prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, heredity, DNA) interspersed with great information about "When People Feel Anxiety", "When Anxiety is Good", and "When Anxiety is a Problem". If your child, or even you feel like you are slamming into a wall named Science, rest assured, you won't encounter that much Science until Part 2, Chapter 6 which talks about neurotransmitters, seratonin, dopamine, adrenaline, Tryptophan, and SSRI's (Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Personally, I LOVE the straighforward way the author introduces and defines/explains/teaches these more challenging words and concepts. But if you or your child are allergic to or just not interested in learning a smidge of biology and anatomy (if it's not your thing, it's not your thing), just read around it. Though, don't skip the whole section; there's still a lot of legit good non-sciency stuff in there!So that's my review. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did...because I know you're going to buy it. You simply must. It gets straight to the point, and is way better than clicking around on Dr. Google or Wikipedia.

As an educator with a focus on social-emotional learning, I'm always looking for great resources. A friend told me this book was a must-read and she was so right! This book takes what can be complicated concepts and terms and explains them in a user friendly way that's accessible to kids. It offers practical ideas and solutions for managing anxiety. It's for people (not just kids!) who feel anxious once in a while/everyone, and it's for people who are struggling with severe anxiety. While the description recommends the book for 3rd-8th graders, younger kids can benefit from reading with their parents, and adults will benefit from implementing the tips and strategies, too! I would highly recommend this book for kids AND adults!

I have lived with anxiety since I was a young girl and yet I still struggle to explain it sometimes to my 12-year-old who now battles this condition too. After reading Summer’s book - which I will now pass along to her - I feel better equipped to use the right words to talk her through the questions she has. I even learned a few new concepts myself.

Don't be fooled by the age range. My older teen absconded with the book as soon as it arrived, and I was delighted. He learned from it. I learned from it. If you are at all the teeniest bit prone to worry or rumination, you will too.

I couldn’t wait for this book to be released, it’s even better than expected! What a great help for kids and parents!

Where, oh where, was this book 7 years ago when my sensitive "mommy's girl" started screaming and refusing to go to school, turning into an angry volcano after school, developing little physical tics, and forgetting everything when strangers asked her questions? When her anxiety finally took hold and took shape. I knew very little about anxiety in kids and I certainly didnt know how to explain it to her. But if you are just starting this journey, you can get a huge jump by reading this book and having your kid read it. It is well written and written for older kids, making it just as beneficial to all caregivers. I wish every teacher and adult In her life could have or will read this book. It has a lot of "now I get it" moments. But most importantly it will help your tween/teen understand what is happening to them and what it will/might mean for them.

“Name and Tame Your Anxiety: A Kids Guide” is a great read, and a wonderful learning opportunity! My family and I have read this “guide” from cover to cover (I have read it twice, already!). I learned so much about kids and their anxieties in a manner I had never thought of before. Additionally, I had never thought to put what I already understand together, in such a coherent and cogent manner. “Name and Tame” has provided me with the “glue” to get past my somewhat shallow view of the anxiety’s of others, and my even my own. Everyone should use “Name and Tame” to gain a better and broader understanding of their personal world, and better manage how they can survive with the rest of us. - F. Masters

If you have had a kiddo with anxiety you know how hard it can be. Name and tame is SUCH a great resource for your family. It's a resource that is well written for adults and kids ( I even learned about my own anxiety ). It's time we start building our kids up and helping them understand their anxiety. Its not something to be ashamed of!