Isaiah and the Worry Pack

by Ruth Goring, Pamela C. Rice (Illustrator)

It's bedtime again, but Isaiah can't sleep. It seems he's got too many things on his mind: things he's worried about. So Mom helps Isaiah imagine what it would be like if each of his worries were a block that he could stash in his backpack.
As Isaiah imagines hiking through the woods carrying his worry pack, he discovers the joy and relief of trusting Jesus with everything--especially those worries.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Christian

32 pages, Hardcover

Published November 9, 2021

About the author

A poet and an author-illustrator of children’s picture books were the first things I remember wanting to do when I grew up. A lot of life had to happen to me before those dreams could ripen—straddling two cultures, adopting and birthing children (one each way), love and loss, poverty, beauty, spiritual searching. I’m grateful for it all, and I’m hungry for more (as the song goes, “more love, more power, / more of You in my life”). My books and poems are expressions of that hunger.

Dearworthy, my little book of meditations on the beautiful writings of Julian of Norwich, each with a botanical image, was published in 2024 by Anamchara Books.

Isaiah and the Worry Pack, a children's picture book, was an inaugural IVP Kids publication in 2021. My author/illustrator debut, Picturing God (Beaming Books, 2019), was a Junior Literary Guild selection. And my beloved first picture book, Adriana's Angels / Los ángeles de Adriana, was published in 2017 by Sparkhouse Family / Augsburg Fortress; the Spanish edition won a silver Moonbeam Award that same year.

Yellow Doors, my first poetry collection, was published by WordFarm (2003-4); my second is Soap Is Political (Glass Lyre, 2015). I got to discuss Soap Is Political and read a few poems from the book in an interview with Jerome McDonnell of Chicago Public Radio’s Worldview program here: https://www.wbez.org/stories/ruth-gor.... My poems have appeared in CALYX, Pilgrimage, Comstock Review, RHINO, Iron Horse Literary Review, New Madrid, Crab Orchard Review, numerous other journals, and several anthologies. It's a privilege to have a poem in Martín Espada's 2019 anthology What Saves Us (NWU Press).

I grew up in Colombia and in recent years have traveled back to provide accompaniment and advocacy to Colombian peace communities and human rights defenders. And just to be with dear friends and glory in rivers, waterfalls, and the Andes mountains.

Reviews

[Claire Marquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom is an amazing story writer. God uses her to speak love and truth and to talk about hard topics in a mandar that is easy for kids to understand and even grown-ups. Just as Jesus spoke in perables my mom uses story telling to spread God's message. I am sure you will love what you read and will be blessed by it.

[Rebecca Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book was a special gift for my 10-year-old son, who sometimes struggles with anxiety. I read it to him a few weeks ago, and then a few nights later he had a hard time sleeping due to some worries that were weighing on his heart.

I led him through the story again, except this time I changed it so it was a guided meditation for him. Just like Isaiah does in the book, I asked him to imagine Jesus meeting him in a safe place and taking his worry pack from him. By the end of our time together, he had heard Jesus telling him it was time to rest, and he went to sleep.

If you or someone you love struggles with worry or anxiety (and who doesn't these days?) this book is for you. It will take you on a gentle journey into the arms of the loving Savior who receives our worries and replaces them with his peace. Thank you to Ruth Goring for giving the world this story. It is a gift to us all.

[Eljay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us have been wondering how best to support young people with their anxieties while we are struggling to navigate our own escalating worries. Isaiah and the Worry Pack offers a framework for adults and young people to open a dialogue with each other and God. This book is a wonderfully illustrated story about young Isaiah, whose worries “sit in his mind like big, heavy blocks and never go away.” Rather than talk Isaiah out of his emotions and inadvertently invalidate or dismiss his concerns, his observant mother initiates an honest conversation with her son. She supports him with a guided imagery activity that allows him to find a container for his worries with some help from Jesus. While Isaiah’s concerns do not magically disappear because of this interaction, he is left with an understanding that he is never alone and can always ask God for help.

I admire the beauty of this story’s words and illustrations and how the book treats such a challenging topic with great sensitivity and thoughtfulness. There is even a page to help adults and children engage in guided imagery practices like the one modeled in the story.

Isaiah and the Worry Pack, written by Ruth Goring and illustrated by Pamela C. Rice, is available for purchase as of November 10, 2021 from all major book retailers.

I received an advance copy of this book but was not compensated for my review.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worry can be a big part of life. It is easier said than done to say not to worry God's got this. There is truth is that phrase but God created us to reason with him. Isaiah does worry about many things and it may be the same things your child worries about. Maybe even adults. Isaiah's mother thru story helps Isaiah put his worry into perspective. She also encourages him to share his feelings which gives you an opportunity to have your child share as well. There is a peace when we can walk thru our worries and not feel alone.

A great resource for parent and child to grow in faith together.

A special thank you to Intervarsity Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Diana Minard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful story is a must for any parents whose children suffer from anxiety. Equipped with beautiful illustrations, Ruth Goring addresses ways we can teach children to handle their various worries and cope with stress. Perfectly timed for addressing the pandemic. My children have enjoyed reading this book repeatedly since they received it. This is a must have.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isaiah and the Worry Pack by Ruth Goring is a wonderful illustration of teaching children (and adults) how to give there worry and concerns to Jesus. It breaks it down in a way kids can understand—in a sense of giving our worries to Jesus. I did have trouble understanding the trees at the end though. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. (My review is also on Goodreads.)

[Ned Bustard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anxiety seems to me to be the great sickness of our current age. This lovely book takes on this ill straight on, but in a quiet, unassuming way. The illustrations welcome the reader in like a warm quilt and the story has a very clever twist. I appreciate how this book doesn't dismiss our worries but gives them to Jesus to see those worries be transformed.

[Glenys Nellist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Ruth Goring's gorgeous book, Picturing God, I was not surprised to find myself falling in love with Isaiah and the Worry Pack. Ruth's soothing, gentle words combine with Pamela C Rice's evocative 'scrap-book feel' illustrations to offer a heartwarming story of a little boy who learns how to cope with worry. Our children are growing up in an anxious world. Readable and relatable, Isaiah and the Worry Pack will help them remember that God is by their side, and Jesus is helping to carry their cares. A very worthy five stars.

[Martha Goring · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am now a grandmother and can recall several times in my life that I have encountered God in dreams and through guided imagery. These powerful, tender moments stick with me, and I can bring them to mind when I am feeling anxious and can't sleep.

So it is for our young hero, Isaiah. As he struggles to fall asleep, his mother invites him to talk about what is worrying him. "When the people you love have problems, you pick them up and try to carry them. Then you worry and have trouble sleeping," she remarks. Isaiah and his mom then close their eyes and dream up a story in which he not only encounters Jesus and hands over his worries but also gets to pet a fawn and enjoy other wild animals along the way.

This is the first book I have encountered that offers such a simple, evocative way of presenting guided imagery to a child (or adult) of any age. The illustrations add their own magic. I will reach for it again and again.

[Becky Fiebach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read a pre-publication version of this beautiful book and I cannot wait to read it again. "Read" is not exactly the right word, though. It's a "sitting-with" kind of book. The words, the questions, the illustrations...together have a quieting, calming effect. I feel the weight of my own worries lifting. Ruth Goring has a way of communicating that is so tender. It literally invites and welcomes me into the experience that is being described. You might want to go ahead and buy more than one copy.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book has beautiful illustrations, and the text is easy to understand, even though the book is a little bit wordy. The story involves Isaiah struggling to go to bed because of all of the worries weighing on him. His mother encourages him to visualize himself in a forest, imagining his worries as a heavy pack that he is carrying. She helps him imagine an encounter with Jesus, and helps him calm down and feel ready to go to sleep.

I appreciate the book's message about leaving our worries with Jesus instead of feeling like we have to carry them all the time, and the text is sympathetic and gentle, honoring the very hard issues that many children face and the ways that sensitive children internalize difficult situations. However, even though I think this is very sweet, I am not sure how well it works as a storybook, especially since the abrupt ending promises redemption through Isaiah's worries blossoming into fruit trees. This is a nice thought, but it makes for a very abstract ending, especially since nothing about Isaiah's worrisome life situations have changed yet.

The author's note at the end explains the concept of guided meditation, but people who are expecting a more traditional story format may feel uncertain how to apply this to their children's worries or situation, especially if they feel uncomfortable with encouraging their children to imagine encounters with Jesus. This book's portrayal of Jesus is consistent with what we know and can infer from Scripture, but encouraging a child to imagine Jesus in this way could make him seem like a therapeutic imaginary friend rather than a historical person or member of the Trinity.

If it is introduced well and handled appropriately, this kind of guided meditation could be very helpful and healing for kids, but I think that this book is best as a counseling tool, not a bedtime story. Other people may disagree and perceive this book differently, but I think that its best use will occur in a relationship with either a parent who is well-trained in guided meditation or a counselor or therapist, so that the adult can protect against possible pitfalls and help draw out the more abstract and implicit elements of the story.

I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy Negussie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique and timely book for kids dealing with many stressors of the pandemic (and post pandemic life). Rather than just a story, this is a book that leads children in a spiritual practice they can take with them throughout their lives. And, it introduces Jesus, not as a historical figure but rather a kind and compassionate guide. This is the Jesus and the faith I want to pass on to my children. I was given a prepublication pdf and cannot wait to hold the hard copy and read it again to my boys.

[Katherine Philbrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of the novel from InterVarsity Press via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Be sure to check out more reviews at Katherine's Book Reviews.

Isaiah and the Worry Pack is a children’s book that encourages you to explore your relationship with Jesus. My favorite part of this book is the way it tackles the main theme of anxiety and its illustrations. Isiah is an introspective little boy who understands and feels the crushing weight of the hardships that face him and his family. Sometimes it is easy to forget how much children truly see and feel what is going on around them. This book does a great job of explaining to kids how prayer can make them feel like they are slowly overcoming their anxieties, and does so in a calming and healthy way. This book also does a great job of explaining what it is like to imagine relying on a higher figure in your life. As an adult, it made me pause for a moment and picture what my religious life is like, which is the aim of this book. The illustrations in this book are beautiful and colorful; children will love the imagery of the life within the woods that Isiah imagines. These images will also help children to imagine their own fantasy of nature that could potentially connect them to their own form of prayer.

I like this book. Ruth Goring’s writing is easy to understand, especially for children. Her writing flows nicely and she does a good job of unpacking hard situations kids may be going through at home. The story has a great plot and the pacing is not too fast or too slow. However, I did feel this story ended abruptly. To me, it felt like I was just getting into the feeling of being in the woods and out of nowhere, the story just ended. I do wish this story was a little longer. I myself am not familiar with guided imagery and was not familiar with the term until I read the notes at the end of the book. I wonder if my personal disconnect from this method of prayer is what is making me feel like the story could have kept going longer. However, I feel it is a beautiful way, especially for kids, to connect with Jesus .I think this story gives a great introduction to Jesus as a whole. It is certainly unique and teaches kids how to savor the love they have for themselves and others. I suggest this book to any parent or child who is wanting to learn more about Jesus as a person and the concept of prayer. This book teaches you that prayer allows you to conquer your anxieties in a compassionate and spiritual way.

[Valerie Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book beautifully speaks to a common struggle in many homes, including ours—worry. When young Isaiah has trouble sleeping, his mom gives him time to put his finger on what is bothering him. Then she guides him with a beautiful collaborative storytelling technique to help him let go of His worries in the presence of Jesus.

Isaiah’s worries are common for children and families yet not often represented in children’s books. They include family financial worries, a dad who lives far away, a sister who’s challenging the rules at home. But even if kids are facing different worries, they will find this book very relatable.

I like how the book describes the interactions between Isaiah and his mom. The writing style itself brings on a sense of calm—like the words take your hand and pat it gently. And in Isaiah’s encounter with Jesus, you can feel both exhilaration and peace, as well as lots of love.

Finally, there is an author’s note that discusses this technique as one way to help children (or anyone) with worries. I love the author’s encouragement at the end: "Trust that our good God will meet each child in just the way they need"—because sometimes we parents can worry about our children’s worries, too.

Highly recommend!

[MookNana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Isaiah is no stranger to anxiety. When he feels a rough night of insomnia coming on, his mother offers loving, caring, and nonjudgmental support to help him identify and process his worries. She encourages him through a guided imagery exercise where he imagines packing up his anxieties and then sharing them with Jesus.

This is a wonderful amalgamation of evidence-based anxiety coping strategies and spiritually-informed guidance. Isaiah is beautifully cared for, both through his family and his faith, to find peace and comfort. This would be a wonderful group read for Sunday School for elementary and middle school and would be a great addition to a youth minister and/or Director of Christian Education's bookshelf as well.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Lianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a delightful and sweet support to my 6-year-old son who has been struggling with anxiety at bedtime. Practical strategies for anxiety (like naming your worries and imaginative storytelling) are woven into the narrative, resulting in a beautiful experience of guided-imagery meditation that unfolds both on the page and in the mind of the reader. The ending of the book is wonder-filled, reassuring, and ripe for further conversation–if it's not yet time for lights-out! If you have an anxious sleeper, this book provides a gentle invitation into a spiritual practice that can be returned to again and again. I have benefited from it just as much as my child. Highly recommend.

[Kristin L Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful story about a boy (maybe 9 or 10 years old) who carries many big worries and insomnia, and his encounter with Jesus through an imaginative prayer story. As someone who also has many worries and sometimes struggles to sleep, this book speaks to my heart. Goring's story and Rice's illustrations invite the reader into an encounter with God that is emotionally resonant, theologically engaging and playful.

[Wanda Haney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book and so helpful in this time of uncertainty. Isaiah and the Worry Pack is a tender story of a little boy who struggles to sleep. His mother sits with him and engages him in an imaginative narrative that helps him identify the source of his anxiety and how to bring his worries to God. The author has a wonderful section at the end of the book that instructs us on how to help children in our care deal with burdens that are too heavy for them. Although this story is about a child, the practice described could benefit all who struggle with anxiety. “Cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you” ( I Peter 5:7).

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isaiah has been having trouble sleeping so his mom asks him to talk about his worries that have been keeping him up at night, and then she leads him to practice guided imagery, a spiritual discipline, to help release those worries to Jesus.

Isaiah and his mom model a practice that I can see being very helpful to many other kids in Christian families struggling with worries. The art is a very unique style that works quite well for this story that mostly happens in Isaiah's imagination. A good tool for Christian families and schools to have on hand.

[Evette Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet and thoughtful book for kids of all ages!! I highly recommend!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book and one that I would totally show my nephew. I really loved the illustrations and the story line as well.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike the old song “Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag, and smile, smile, smile,” this lovely book models a healthier way to deal with worries. Isaiah is a little boy having trouble going to sleep  and his mother has him participate in telling a story about this. Using guided imagery, their story describes Isaiah naming his worries and putting each into his backpack and carrying it into the woods. After an encounter with Jesus, Isaiah learns that his worry blocks have shriveled into seeds of new hope.

This book is artfully crafted, the vibrant poetic language collaborating with the strong colorful illustrations. The tone is warm and nurturing, taking seriously the worries of a young boy.  Isaiah’s concerns are substantial ones about the welfare of family members that will resonate with alert parents and their children. The author has included an insight filled note to parents that can help extend the story into family discussions about our anxieties and God’s care for us all.

[Lori Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork... and lovely, gentle story. I can think of several parents I want to give this book to. Great for kids and parents who are anxious.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since all of us carry worries, some more effectively or healthily than others, this book shouldn't be bypassed as just another kids' book. The simple language and evocative images may actually cut through some of the adult defenses and encrustations to communicate the attunement, companionship, and connection in the midst of worry that could assist older readers. The book also models the Immanuel Prayer method of attuning to the presence of Jesus and experiencing his compassionate presence, making this a powerful book on multiple layers.

[Michele Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the little people in your world carry a load of worry, introduce them to Isaiah and the Worry Pack and learn together from Isaiah’s bedtime heart-to-heart with his mum. Adult-sized problems can steal sleep from kid-sized hearts and minds, but surprising things happen when children learn to hand their worries over to Jesus.

Using guided imagery, author Ruth Goring models a spiritual conversation between a fictional parent and child as a first step for real-life parents and children to engage their own imaginations in fruitful discourse with God. Probing a worried feeling until we discover its source and then give it a name; framing an open conversation with Jesus in a peaceful setting; offloading anxieties by listening for Jesus’s voice in Scripture are all onramps to rest and peace.

As Isaiah drifts weightlessly into a tangerine-tree dream, his worry blocks have shriveled up and his pack is empty. Vivid illustrations by Pamela Rice bring this part of the story to life.

Best of all, gospel-based hope does not require a happy ending in which all of Isaiah’s troubles get fixed through magical solutions. Instead, readers see the example of a willed response to God’s powerful goodness as the path away from anxiety.

Many thanks to IVP Kids for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bedtime is a struggle for families as we are often in a rush to get our children to sleep as quickly as possible. Isaiah and the Worry Pack reminds us that our children absorb everything that is going on around us including family problems. Ruth Goring's use of guided imagery and Pamela C. Rice's layered illustrations guides us through Isaiah's spiritual journey as well as offering solace to his worries. I think Isaiah and the Worry Pack is a great addition for any home library.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gift this book is for helping children (and adults) give worries over to Jesus. The story is very well told as it illustrates the spiritual discipline of guided imagery.

[Josh Olds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isaiah has a lot to worry about. His mom works hard but doesn’t make a lot of money. His dad lives by himself in another place. His sister has been rebellious and argues a lot with his mom. There are so many things he wishes he could fix. When he talks to his mom about his worry, she leads him on an imaginative exploration of grief, worry, and anxiety.

She starts off by asking Isaiah to envision himself in the woods and his worries like big blocks in a backpack that are really hard to carry. Tell me about the things you feel and see in the woods. Isaiah says that he sees animals. A squirrel. A deer and her fawn. Say you come into an open field now and Jesus is standing on the other side. What happens then?

The back and forth continues as the two imagine what it would be like to encounter Jesus with all your worries. Isaiah imagines Jesus turning all his worries into seeds and throwing all of them away, then talking to him about Isaiah’s favorite thing—animals! At the end of the conversation, Isaiah realizes that the seeds have turned into trees with good fruit on them.

Isaiah and the Worry Pack reads more like a transcribed and illustrated example of using guided imagery than it does a typical children’s book. It’s more of a counseling tool or vignette than a book you would actually read to your children. The story is rather wordy and doesn’t always make sense (why are the worries at first blocks but then seeds?), which lends it an air of authenticity of a child molding a story from an adult’s guided imagery but doesn’t necessarily make for the most cohesive storyline.

The theme is intriguing, but underdeveloped. Goring drops a lot on readers in the first few panels, showing us that Isaiah is dealing with some pretty significant worries. I would have liked to have seen these worries be validated before turning to the moral lesson. I’m also not entirely sure of the significance of the worries turning into fruit trees. It seems like it’s a theme of redemption and beauty from ashes, but Goring never draws it out explicitly. That’s a difficult theme to leave implicit, particularly if the audience is children whose very real worries have not yet been redeemed.

In the end, I appreciate what Isaiah and the Worry Pack is attempting, but it works better as a teaching tool for parents to lead their children in imaginative meditation than as a book to be read to children. It just doesn't seem like a book I'd sit down and read with my kids unless I was trying to teach them this concept, and even then I see it as a better tool for the adult than the child.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isaiah can't go to sleep because he's worried that he has insomnia. Mom comes in and talks him through what other things he's worried about. They start to make up a story together and in that story Isaiah, carrying a heavy pack filled with his worries, sees Jesus. Without realizing it, Isaiah quickly and easily runs to Jesus. His pack is no longer filled with the heavy rocks of worries.

A note from the author in the back gives questions for discussion to talk with children about their worries and the rocks they have in their packs, also asking them what they would say to Jesus.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Goring has done it again! Her books Picturing God and especially Adriana's Angels have held children and adults spellbound during children's time in my congregation. I can't wait to introduce the older children to Isaiah, who learns how visualization of a walk in nature with Jesus can lighten his heavy load of worries so he can sleep. I've read the book to adult friends, and they are now big Isaiah fans too.