Kit and the Missing Notebook: A Book About Calming Anxiety

by Chris Andrew Wheeler, Carmen Saldaña Gutierrez (Illustrator), Lindsey Erin Wheeler

Join Kit as she learns a lesson about overcoming anxiety and makes some new friends—and some delicious soup!—along the way. As kids get to know this little kangaroo with big feelings, they will discover how they can manage their own stress and new experiences in a healthy, positive manner. When Kit’s family moves to Cozy Lane, she feels anxious. Exploring the neighborhood with her notebook where she writes everything down makes her feel a little better. But when her notebook goes missing, not even her new hamster friends can help her calm down. Then Mrs. G., the guinea pig next door, has an idea. They all make soup together, and as Kit breathes in the smell and breathes out to cool it, she finds herself feeling calmer. She even realizes her notebook isn’t as lost as she thought! Kit and the Missing Notebook uses a fun and relatable character to teach children ages 4-8: For parents and educators, Kit and the Missing Notebook also includes an author’s note with information about anxiety, managing emotions with kids, and a delicious soup recipe!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 9, 2024

Reviews

[Linn van den Heuvel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kit is new on Cozy Lane. He felt a bit anxious when arriving there for the first time. Nothing of the stuff he took with him was where it was supposed to be. Most importantly she could not find her special notebook. Kit wrote everything she needed to remember in it. Just as she was searching through her things, she found her notebook. Hopping along the yard Kit made some notes in het notebook. Just when Kit was about to make a turn, she saw something: two tiny creatures popping up above the fence. Kit didn't expect to meet someone so soon. Kit was soon found in a bounce-off with these tiny creatures. In order to remember the names of these creatures, Kit decides to write it down in her notebook, but then finds out its gone. Taking all kind of things out of her pouch, she searches for her notebook, but she doesn't find it. Anxious to forget everything she had written down in the notebook, Kit starts a search for the notebook. But when she doesn't find it soon enough, this massive weight of anxiety gets the better of her and Kit collapses. Then Mrs. G. shows up and helps Kit to feel better, however Kit keeps thinking about the notebook. How was she supposed to find her notebook now? Mrs. G. invited Kit to have some of her magical soup to feel better, but Kit doesn't believe soup can be magical. Or can it?

This book shows children that it is okay to sometimes be a little scared, but that it is also very healthy to have other things lift that anxiety a bit. Things will come around eventually. The book contains a wonderful message for young kids and concludes with a recipe for Mrs. G.'s magical soup. What a wonderful way to end a book!

[Jamie Humphreys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kit and the Missing Notebook is a great book to help children work through anxiety. Talking with kids about how to handle their anxiety is such an important thing. This book will help open doors to good conversations about how to calm down when feeling anxious. As an elementary grade teacher I will use this book with my students. The illustrations are darling and I love that the animals are not the average animals used in stories.

[Deel Hikayana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about overcoming anxiety, as shared in this book. A great way to provide examples for our kiddos, show them that we can conquer anxiety and that every problem will have solutions by reading books like this. Unfortunately, my child leans towards anxiety, and reading this book has been very helpful for her. So, I'll give it a solid 5 stars! The pictures are beautiful, the plot is well-written, and the language is easy to understand.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book has cute, colorful illustrations, and it shows Kit the kangaroo adjusting to life after her family moves to a new home. She depends on her notebook to help her with her anxiety, but while she is meeting her new neighbors, she realizes that it has gone missing. She panics, and the story describes her racing thoughts and her physical feelings of anxiety. Kit's new friends assure her that they'll help her find it, and then an adult comes out of the house. This character checks on everyone, expresses concern about Kit, and invites Kit and her new friends into the house to help make soup.

Even though Kit is antsy at first, wanting to look for her notebook, she gradually calms down. The story describes the sensory details of the soup-making process, the characters' breaths as they try to cool it down, and the comforting sensation of eating it. Later, Kit does find her notebook. However, it sustained damage from falling on a porcupine, and the story doesn't even acknowledge this. This can just be a mismatch between what the authors wrote and what the illustrator depicted, but it creates serious plausibility issues for the anxious character to not react to this damage at all. I would be beside myself if I lost one of my journals and got it back with holes in it, and I'm an adult.

This didn't seem realistic, and other parts of the story also raise questions for me. For example, many parents wouldn't want their child going into a stranger's home to prep and eat food with them, when the parents haven't even met the neighbor yet, let alone vetted them and built trust with them. Also, even though Kit's sensory experiences with the soup help her calm down, some parents may not be comfortable presenting food as a comfort to turn to when you feel anxious. Also, even though this is from a Christian publisher, there aren't any references to God, and people who are expecting a faith-based book will be disappointed.

Still, I appreciate the intention behind this book, and it will be helpful for some families. As Chris and Lindsey Wheeler explain in the author's note at the end, this book flows from their own parenting experience, and they talk about how sensory exercises, such as the one involving the soup, can help kids calm down. They share some parenting tips for dealing with child anxiety, and they include a soup recipe from a real-life neighbor. This is really sweet, and I appreciate their heart behind this. This book can definitely help parents better understand their children's anxiety, and the descriptions of how Kit feels are spot-on. The illustrations from Carmen Saldaña Gutierrez are also really cute and endearing.

This book will be helpful for some families, but won't be the right fit for others. Some anxious kids may find the story distressing and confusing, since Kit spends all this time cooking and eating soup when she could have been looking for her notebook and resolving the problem, and the unacknowledged issue of the notebook getting damaged makes it difficult to suspend disbelief. Also, even though the book highlights a wholesome sense of community through preparing and eating food together, people with histories of emotional eating may not want to present anything food-related as a coping mechanism for their anxious child.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Jalynn Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the Book:

Join Kit as she learns a lesson about overcoming anxiety and makes some new friends—and some delicious soup!—along the way. As kids get to know this little kangaroo with big feelings, they will discover how they can manage their own stress and new experiences in a healthy, positive manner. When Kit’s family moves to Cozy Lane, she feels anxious. Exploring the neighborhood with her notebook where she writes everything down makes her feel a little better. But when her notebook goes missing, not even her new hamster friends can help her calm down. Then Mrs. G., the guinea pig next door, has an idea. They all make soup together, and as Kit breathes in the smell and breathes out to cool it, she finds herself feeling calmer. She even realizes her notebook isn’t as lost as she thought! Kit and the Missing Notebook uses a fun and relatable character to teach children ages 4-8: For parents and educators, Kit and the Missing Notebook also includes an author’s note with information about anxiety, managing emotions with kids, and a delicious soup recipe!


My Review:

I have had anxiety issues since I was a very young child and this anxiety has been my constant companion throughout my life. I now see signs of it in my children which devastates me. I never wanted them to experience a lot of the things that I have, especially this. Anxiety is very tricky. You think you are fine in a situation and you soon see that you are worrying and incredibly anxious. And until you become active in the issue--you wont feel any better.

Poor Kit feels this come over her as she loses her prized notebook. This notebook stays by her side always because she writes everything that happens to her or around her down. This is something that brings her comfort and calm in her very anxious world.

Soon Ms G helps her to see that when we just step back and calm down things feel a lot better.

A very sweet loving story!

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG: https://bookreadingtic.com/2024/07/30... AND PLEASE FOLLOW ME, THANK YOU!

Take a Deep Breath!

How do you help a child with anxiety? This book tries to do so with a story about Kit who has moved to a new neighborhood. Because everything is strange and different, Kit is anxious. She is latching onto things that are familiar; the most important thing being her notebook.

Panic rises to a new level in Kit when the notebook goes missing. A kind neighbor distracts Kit by getting her to help with the soup she is making. She teaches Kit to smell the soup deeply through her nose. Then she tells her to blow it gently with her mouth.

The neighbor was teaching a tried-and-true exercise that is often used to achieve a calm state: breathe deeply through the nose, then blow the air out with the mouth.

I recommend that those utilizing this book, first, turn to the back, and read the page the authors wrote about anxiety, along with their experience with it. By doing that, the story will make more sense, and will help when using this book.

This over-size picture book can be applied to a larger age group than four through eight-year-olds because of the subject matter. Since this is from a Christian publisher, I was disappointed that the Lord was not mentioned in this four-star book.

Thank you, Zonderkidz, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

[Jaylin Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book that is suitable for ages 3 to 8 years old. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. It is about a young girl named Kit who is curious and adventurous who loves to write in her trusty notebook. One day, she realizes her notebook has gone missing, and she sets out to investigate and solve the mystery. Along the way, Kit uses her observation skills and problem-solving abilities to uncover clues. This charming story does an excellent job of engaging young readers with a relatable and age-appropriate mystery. Kit is a likable and resourceful character that children will easily connect with. The plot moves at a steady pace, keeping readers invested in the outcome. The author’s use of descriptive language helps bring the story to life, allowing readers to visualize the characters and setting. The illustrations complement the text well and add to the overall appeal of the book. This book would be highly appealing to young readers, as it goes in depth about curiosity and love for solving puzzles. Educators can use this book to promote thinking skills, as well as encourage creative writing and storytelling ideas. Overall, this appears to be an engaging and delightful read that would be a valuable addition to any children’s library.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kit the young kangaroo is a world of worries, among which is the dreaded thought that her special notebook has got lost in the latest house move. It hasn't, but when exploring the brand new neighbourhood it really does go missing. Luckily, by then, Kit has made two new friends, and is about to be introduced to magic soup – but surely magic soup won't help solve the mystery?

I think this is more successful at showing juvenile anxiety to the adults amongst its audience. Kit has back-ups in her pouch for several things, things that the average child will never consider needed once let alone twice. Her notebook is for memories, information, and to secure her judgement about the world in her mind. And while cute animals and a decent aesthetic draw the young to this, I don't see them as seeing themselves completely easily. And they probably won't rush to enjoy this book, as it is a touch twee and simple, and the ending isn't such as you'd want to re-read this lesson. Nothing at all could be call off-putting, here, but the pull to the young is weak and the purpose therefore more for the attention of the adults – the soup-cookers – of the world.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book for young children about anxiety. I had a good chat after reading this book with my 4.5 year old daughter and she was able to understand the feeling of anxiety in the main character as well as in herself. The story was relatable and the illustration was well done. It also touched on the family moving to a new neighborhood and the feelings of not knowing where things were when moving. I liked after the seriousness of some of what was talked about there was something to laugh about at the very end of the book.

It's definitely a book my daughter will want me to read to her again and again. It's nice that it doesn't get too heavy into the topic but allows a kid to think about their feelings of anxiety. I'd recommend this to any parent of a 4-8 year old who is dealing with anxiety as a bridge to talking about those feelings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zonderkidz publishing for the chance to read an ARC of this book. My review was not influenced by the receipt of the ARC.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Kit and the Missing Notebook” is a sweet book about Kit, a sweet but anxious kangaroo who learns how to calm herself when things go awry. Kit depends heavily on her notebook, writing events, names, etc. so she doesn’t forget, but when she misplaces it, she struggles to cope.

This story is perfect for children who are struggling with emotions, particularly anxiety. With Kit as an example, they learn that even when their minds are racing or they have worries, they can deal with it by calming themselves.

Kit and her new hamster friends are sweet and kind, and the illustrator captures that wonderfully. This satisfying story is both entertaining and helpful.

First Line: Kit felt anxious the morning her family arrived on Cozy Lane.
Genre: Children
Author: Chris Wheeler, Lindsey Wheeler
Page Count: 32
Reading Age: 4-9

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anxiety - many adults have trouble handling it, imagine how challenging it is for little ones. Christ and Lindsey Wheeler created a great storyline that will help parents, teachers, and caregivers as they try to help their little ones calm anxiety.
Kit is a little kangaroo who is new to the neighborhood - that in itself is enough to cause anxiety. While exploring her neighborhood she meets some new friends. Then she loses her notebook which helps her remember things. They help her to calm down and eventually find her notebook.
The story is beautiful, even for those who don’t suffer from anxiety. The book also includes a recipe for the soup that is part of the plot of the story.
The artwork of Carmen Saldana beautifully compliments the text, helping children to visualize the unfamiliar parts of the story.
Kit and the Missing Notebook would be a great addition to a K-12 Christian School library. It is appropriate for preschool through primary-aged children.
I received a complimentary copy of Kit and the Missing Notebook. This is my honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Zonderkids for allowing me to read an advanced read copy of this book!

Kit and the Missing Notebook is an adorable book about a young bunny that moves to a new neighborhood and has to cope with all the new changes and challenges it brings. Kit navigates making new friends and finds some much needed support from a neighbor in dealing with her anxiety.

My family recently moved this year and my kindergartener quickly identified with Kit’s emotions. She loved the sweet little recipe at the end of the book.

This book would make a great addition to a classroom library to use with mindfulness instruction as the book utilizes a creative way to model taking deep breaths when feeling overwhelmed and anxious. It ties a sensory approach into restoring calm and coping with anxiety for struggling children.

[Dawn De Wulf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a simple yet profound story about helping Kit deal with overwhelming feelings. It's an excellent resource for parents who want to help their young children when they feel anxious.

One of my favorite parts was when Kit's anxiety is described using relatable comparisons for children: "Kit's thoughts raced like a cheetah running after a gazelle. Her chest felt like an elephant was sitting on her ribcage. She tried to breathe, but it was like she was underwater. What if this feeling never goes away?"

I also loved the section at the end where the authors provide practical ideas to help anxious children. This book is lovely and very helpful for young ones experiencing anxiety.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will provide kids and their caregivers tools to deal with anxiety and panic attacks. I suggest reading the authors' note at the end before reading this book because it will explain (unlike the text and illustrations) why the breathing and sensory activities were used in the book.

The story is a bit disjointed and as a parent I had to overlook the fact that this juvenile character visited the yard and then entered a neighbor's home to prepare and then eat food without her parents' permission or knowledge. Also, Kit's notebook was returned damaged (as shown in the illustrations with quill holes through it) and based on how much she panicked about losing it, her nonreaction to the damage seems way out of character.

[DeAnn✨deannsreadingriot✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable book about Kit the kangaroo. Kit moves to a new neighborhood and this is a look at how that might feel scary for littles. A lost notebook, things not being where they should Kit ventures out to get a look at Cozy Lane and happens across new friends and Mrs. G. who helps her through this scary time. It is a great book to open up discussions of anxiety and how that might look and feel to your little one. It also ends with Mrs. G calming soup recipe. Such a sweet and thoughtful book. You can tell it was written with love.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kit and the Missing Notebook is a story about calming anxiety. Kit and her family move to a new town, and Kit can't find her precious notebook where she writes all the things she wants to remember. With the help of her new neighbors, she learns some techniques that help calm her anxiety.

This is a sweet story that's perfect to read aloud to children. The way the authors present the various coping techniques is unique and spot on. The authors also include notes in the back that talk about why they wrote the story and how to use the methods in the book to help a child. Mrs. G's soup recipe is included as well. The illustrations are perfect for the story.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your child is suffering from worry or anxiety, Kit and Missing Notebook could be a useful book to help them calm those fears. The book offers a simple technique - finding something to see, touch, taste, listen to, etc. - to help children ground themselves. The story is based on the authors' own child's experience.

While I would have appreciated seeing both Kit's mother and father, as well as mention of asking God for help during times of worry (it is a Zonderkidz publication after all), I think this is a valuable book that is easy to read.

Please note: I received a complimentary copy of the book.

[Jaimie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I requested an ARC I didn't realize this was a book about calming anxiety. That made me very happy. However, I'm up in the air if I like the idea of a kid going into a strangers house for food and I'm not sure I'm all about the idea of food being a calm source for the anxiety itself. I feel like the opportunity was lost to show kids a couple different, healthier calming exercises instead of resorting to food.

That's just me though! It was really cute otherwise!

Thank you Zonderkidz-Books, and Netgalley for an ARC!

[Ashley Love Sellers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kit and the Missing Notebook is such a sweet story. As a mother of a child who deals with anxiety this book echoed kindness and important techniques I've used on my own son. I really appreciated how Kit's anxiety wasn't ignored or passed over, but instead dealt with in a supportive, beneficial manner. I hope this book will inspire others - children and adults - to be empathetic when helping a friend coping with this issue.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated picture book all about a sweet little kangaroo who is dealing with some anxiety- she keeps losing/forgetting where she put her notebook, and that is what is causing her to worry.

I love that the anxiousness she feels isn't about a super big problem- as many who struggle with anxiety know, it can often be triggered by even the seemingly small things.

Great job in showcasing these big feelings, in a child-friendly, "storybook" way.

[Julia Shelburne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does an excellent job describing how anxiety may feel and techniques to get through those feelings. I love how Mrs. G offers an example for adults on how to respond to children experiencing anxiety and other big feelings.

Thank you NetGalley and Zonderkidz for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Marcus Wolfshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

The magic of soup calms and anxious kangaroo.

Kit arrives at her new home feeling anxious. While playing with two new hamster friends, Kit loses her treasured notebook. Mrs. G. Helps Kit deal with her anxiety of losing her notebook in a special way with soup. I enjoyed this story about how to help kids deal with anxiety. A highly recommended read.

[Deena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable book for little ones (and some older ones!) about the struggle with anxiety and how to quiet it down when it sneaks up on you.

Kit is so sweet and she has some of the best friends. They rally around her and help her through love, compassion, and encouragement.

The book includes a note for parents and caregivers—and a yummy recipe! A book for such a time as this.

[Katie Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic tool to use for working with kids who experience anxiety. Cute and simple to understand with charming characters and an honest depiction of how anxiety/panic feels. The authors note is instructional and practical and worth the cost of the book on its own. An easy 5 ⭐️s

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

A beautifully illustrated book with nice thick pages. The story is cute and will help a reader of any age with a little tip for calming anxiety and a surprise soup recipe to enjoy.

[Meredith Spidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a counselor who works with children, I so appreciate the message of this book. Beautiful, well-written, and relatable for kids while addressing a very real issue--so many of them grapple with anxiety every day. Thanks for sending a review copy my way, Zondervan!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute read about Kit, a kangaroo who experiences anxiety over a lost notebook. Unbeknownst to Kit, Mrs. G actually helps Kit with her anxiety, without telling her that she was helping with anxiety. This is a cute read with a recipe at the end.

[Tegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My child loves reading this story and following along with Kit as she addresses her feelings losing her notebook. Together we breathe in to smell the delicious soup and blow out to cool the soup down and calm down as a result. Good story and illustrations. Would definitely recommend.

[Diana Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book helping children deal with anxiety...it comes with a recipe too! :)

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

#anxiety