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Hey Warrior: A Book for Kids About Anxiety
Kids can do amazing things with the right information. Understanding why anxiety feels the way it does and where the physical symptoms come from is a powerful step in turning anxiety around.
Anxiety explained, kids empowered.
Anxiety explained, kids empowered.
16 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
About the author
Karen Young
3 books17 followersKaren began her career as a psychologist in private practice. She has worked extensively with children teens and families, and in educational and organisation settings. She has lectured and has a Masters in Gestalt Therapy. It is through her work with children, teens and families, that she learned the power of solid information when it is placed in the solid, loving hands of parents or any important person in the life of a child.
Karen created Hey Sigmund, an internationally popular online resource, as a way to provide contemporary, research-driven information on the art of being human, and being with humans. The website has a particular emphasis on strengthening the mental wellness of children and adolescents. It attracts millions of readers each year worldwide. The articles have been translated into a number of languages and have been published on various international sites including Parenting Magazine in New Zealand, The Good Men Project, The Huffington Post, and The Mighty.
Karen can often be heard on Australian radio. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant and works with schools, government bodies, and child and adolescent focused organisations, both in Australia and overseas to build resources, implement procedures, and support the professional development of staff. She recently worked with Plan International Australia to create resources for parents in response to the recent Australian bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.
She is the author of three books, including the bestselling ‘Hey Warrior’ and ‘Hey Awesome’, which creatively assist children to understand and manage anxiety. The books have been translated into a number of languages and have sold more than 150,000 copies worldwide.
Australia is home, and she lives there with her two children and two stepchildren. Experience has taught her that people can do amazing things with the right information, psychology has something for everyone, jargon doesn’t, everyone has a story to tell, short bios are the longest to write, nobody has it all figured out and the best people to be around are the ones who already know this.
Karen created Hey Sigmund, an internationally popular online resource, as a way to provide contemporary, research-driven information on the art of being human, and being with humans. The website has a particular emphasis on strengthening the mental wellness of children and adolescents. It attracts millions of readers each year worldwide. The articles have been translated into a number of languages and have been published on various international sites including Parenting Magazine in New Zealand, The Good Men Project, The Huffington Post, and The Mighty.
Karen can often be heard on Australian radio. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant and works with schools, government bodies, and child and adolescent focused organisations, both in Australia and overseas to build resources, implement procedures, and support the professional development of staff. She recently worked with Plan International Australia to create resources for parents in response to the recent Australian bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.
She is the author of three books, including the bestselling ‘Hey Warrior’ and ‘Hey Awesome’, which creatively assist children to understand and manage anxiety. The books have been translated into a number of languages and have sold more than 150,000 copies worldwide.
Australia is home, and she lives there with her two children and two stepchildren. Experience has taught her that people can do amazing things with the right information, psychology has something for everyone, jargon doesn’t, everyone has a story to tell, short bios are the longest to write, nobody has it all figured out and the best people to be around are the ones who already know this.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 14, 2017
I'm not going to include this in my reading challenge, but my goodness what a fantastic book. Getting a little emotional thinking about it!
As someone who was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder when I was 10, I wish I'd had something like this when I was little. Instead of people telling me I was crazy and paranoid, I could've had this book, which describes anxiety so well. It gives physiological reasons and explanations for how our brains work with anxiety etc.
I found this so helpful.
Absolutely a fantastic book that I would recommend to anyone, really. It really is very insightful and informative (and so cute!!)
As someone who was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder when I was 10, I wish I'd had something like this when I was little. Instead of people telling me I was crazy and paranoid, I could've had this book, which describes anxiety so well. It gives physiological reasons and explanations for how our brains work with anxiety etc.
I found this so helpful.
Absolutely a fantastic book that I would recommend to anyone, really. It really is very insightful and informative (and so cute!!)
August 11, 2020
i pro velký bojovníky s úzkostí!
Read
April 12, 2018My amygdala's name is Carl
January 5, 2018
Pažintis su migdoliniu kūnu- šaunumėlis.
December 17, 2017
Absolutely loved this - for both kids and adults. It explains anxiety better than a lot of internet sites and other literature. Plus the illustrations are super cute.
April 7, 2021
Great way to explain anxiety to kids and their adults!
May 13, 2022
LOVE LOVE this book. Super great for kids dealing with anxiety. Use it for upper grades, because it has lots of higher-level information regarding the amygdala & how your body responds in flight/fight.
July 28, 2021
I don't usually leave reviews but cannot recommend this book highly enough. To anyone, young or old, who experiences anxiety, has ever felt anxious (even once) or know's someone with anxiety you will benefit and enjoy it. The author's experience as a psychologist shines through as she writes this sublime story about anxieties physical effects on the body explaining the necessity of these physiological processes in our daily life that are actually of huge benefit once we understand how they came about and we can control them. This will help anyone who see's anxiety in a negative light that these processes in our bodies are actually positive required forces - needed for a Warrior in life! The illustration's complement the story beautifully and I will be purchasing several copies for gifts.
October 7, 2020
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. Even though this book is aimed for children, as an adult with anxiety I related a lot with this book. I loved the way anxiety was explained and what your body goes through during the moment when you feel anxiety and why that happens. I learned a few things I didn't know before about why my body feels a certain way when I feel anxious and it totally makes sense! The illustrations are also really awesome and adorable. I love that the Amygdala is a character and how the author gives you the option of naming it some cool name. Kids love naming things! So I thought that was really cool. It's an awesome book. I highly recommend it for children and adults. I want to own this book because that's how much I love it.
June 12, 2018
This book is a great read for kids who worry a lot and experience anxiety. This is great for allowing students to accept their feelings and emotions. This book puts into terms what may be happening in their body when they are feeling anxiety. This will allow students to feel heard - it offers remedies to students with tools that they can use when they are experiencing anxiety. There is a section in the book called "cool things about me". This is a huge self-esteem builder for kids who are going through stress. The cognitive skill of listening to yourself and knowing what helps you and what doesn't, is a huge life-lesson for kids to learn and this book makes it easier to do so.
July 19, 2018
Although it's a picture book, this is really aimed at older school-aged kids. The pictures are cute (but not babyish) and there are lots of straight-forward facts, helpful tips, and very positive messaging. I had to simplify it a lot for Miss 3 (ASD, anxiety, [...]) but I think this will be good to revist when she's older.
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
December 4, 2020
I think this is an awesome book. When I read it I was able to recall some important tips and tricks when it comes to anxiety. I was able to relate to it and I feel as if a lot of students could as well. I think it is great that it explains anxiety in a child friendly way and then gives some ideas of coping mechanisms. I think the pictures throughout the book are exciting to look at but also help get the point across!
December 27, 2020
5 Stars! I love this book. As someone with anxiety this was the perfect book to read. Though this book is aimed at kids it felt perfectly fitting for adults to read as well. I liked that it wasn't at all babyish. It was factual and explained in depth what anxiety is in a way that both kids could understand and that adults could read without it feeling like it was being 'dumbed down'.
This book also has a lot of tips on handling anxiety that children and adults can both follow. The art was great and I really got the feeling that both the author and artist took great care in making this book. This is a book that I'd recommend to anyone at any age who has anxiety. I really loved it :)
This book also has a lot of tips on handling anxiety that children and adults can both follow. The art was great and I really got the feeling that both the author and artist took great care in making this book. This is a book that I'd recommend to anyone at any age who has anxiety. I really loved it :)
April 19, 2022
This book came in our new book delivery at the library I work at. I read it straight away and absolutely loved it, the descriptions are beautiful and it is so well written for adults as well as children.
By the end of the week I had bought 3 copies, one for myself, my daughter and a friends daughter- ages 22, 31 and old.😂 I’ve recommended it to so many people - I can not speak highly enough about this wonderful book.
By the end of the week I had bought 3 copies, one for myself, my daughter and a friends daughter- ages 22, 31 and old.😂 I’ve recommended it to so many people - I can not speak highly enough about this wonderful book.
February 20, 2018
This book is a clever way to explain to children what anxiety is and how to deal with it. It also gives tools on how to cope when anxiety gets the best of you.
I usually don't like books like this (not 5 stars worth, at least), but this was cleverly written and used age-appropriate examples. I learned a lot.
I usually don't like books like this (not 5 stars worth, at least), but this was cleverly written and used age-appropriate examples. I learned a lot.
January 11, 2023
What is an anxiety? Often anxiety brings feeling of shame, confusion, and guilt. Written in kid friendly language that does not infantize them, this book is excellent resource for parents and mental health professionals. This is has a place on my professional library for my work as Marriage and Family Therapist.
August 20, 2019
This is wonderful! It personifies your amygdala, explains why and how you feel when experiencing anxiety, and offers helpful tips to work through the anxiety. Very sweet, beautiful illustrations, and helpful information!
April 13, 2020
Explains about your amygdala and part it plays in anxiety, advising kids to give it a name and makes friends/ take control of it. Love the illustrations that portray the amygdala as a blue, protective but friendly looking being, keeping you safe.
May 12, 2021
For young adults/children who may be suffering from anxiety this book is amazing. Not only because it does not dumb down the material but it provides gorgeous illustrations and wonderful language that supports the very good ideas throughout.
This should be a must have for all school libraries.
This should be a must have for all school libraries.
November 11, 2021
This book was just a bit more juvenile than her other book “hey awesome”. It is meant for younger children (5-8 yrs old?) it was an enjoyable book about anxiety and how it to deal with all that it can do.
Plus the illustrations are just phenomenal!! 😍😍😍
Plus the illustrations are just phenomenal!! 😍😍😍
September 27, 2022
Smagi istorija savęs pažinimui. Apie nerimą, kaip jis atsiranda ir ką su juo daryti.
Puikios iliustracijos.
* Nerimas rodo, kad esi pasirengęs pasielgti labai drąsiai. Nerimas ir drąsa visada gyvuoja išvien - visada.
Puikios iliustracijos.
* Nerimas rodo, kad esi pasirengęs pasielgti labai drąsiai. Nerimas ir drąsa visada gyvuoja išvien - visada.
September 14, 2017
This book explains anxiety in a way kids can easily understand without talking down to them. It's been helpful for all of us!
October 23, 2017
Beautifully illustrated and heart warming book about befriending the amygdala.
August 11, 2018
This book should be read to every child over and over a million times. I wish it had been read to me and my sister.
This story will give your child the coping tools so lacking these today. It will help them learn how to be in control of their feelings and their actions.
The illustrations are adorable and will make your eyes moist and your heart shine.
This story will give your child the coping tools so lacking these today. It will help them learn how to be in control of their feelings and their actions.
The illustrations are adorable and will make your eyes moist and your heart shine.
September 6, 2018
SUCH a great book! It really connected with my daughter (who named her Amygdala “Kitten”) and gave us a really good, compassionate framework for talking about the way anxiety affects her (and me!).
January 2, 2019
Exactly what It says it is; it's a book about what causes and how to deal with anxiety for kids. It would be best shared one to one.
March 8, 2019
I read it as a preview for my 3 year old son, and I think he'll love it. ❤
May 20, 2019
Fabulous resource for kids and grown-ups alike. Easy to understand terminology about what happens in the brain when we feel anxious. My children both love the engaging, adorable illustrations.
January 14, 2020
Great book for kids explaining how to push thru nerves and anxiety.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews