Facing Mighty Fears About Health

by Dawn Huebner

Thinking about our body's functions can be scary, especially when it morphs into Health Anxiety that gets in the way of everyday life. Facing Mighty Fears About Health teaches 4 steps to manage 'false alarm' fears. Fun Facts about the body engage children, while a Note to Parents and Caregivers and supplemental Resource section make this the perfect guide for parents and mental health professionals.

This book is part of the Dr. Dawn's Mini Books About Mighty Fears series, designed to help children ages 6-10 tackle their fears and live happier lives.

Genres: Mental Health, Childrens

80 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2022

About the author

Dawn Huebner, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist and Parent Coach specializing in childhood anxiety. She is the author of 20 books for children (and one for therapists), including bestsellers What to Do When You Worry Too Much and Outsmarting Worry.

Dr. Huebner recognized the need for lively, easy-to-read take-home materials to help children practice the strategies they were learning in her office. She created a format effective for 6-12-year olds – the What to Do Guides for Kids - teaching complex psychological concepts using metaphors, language, and humor easily understood by children. Subsequent books maintain her distinctive voice while adding a layer of detail and sophistication appreciated by older children and teens.

All of Dr. Huebner’s books echo her philosophy - that children can and should be taught to help themselves, and that they are capable of overcoming even stuck-seeming challenges.
Dr. Huebner’s books sell briskly around the world, and have been translated into 23 languages. She has been featured on the TODAY Show, CNN.com, WebMD and many other news and information outlets, and is frequently interviewed by popular parenting magazines. Dr. Huebner’s TEDx talk on Rethinking Anxiety has been viewed over a million times.

Dr. Huebner enjoys hearing from readers. She is always at work on her next book...

Reviews

[Maritina Mela]

*3.75/5

Not a bad idea.
I appreciate how this book tries to answer the questions children might have in regards to their health and doctors, and ease their fears as well.
I also enjoyed the cute illustrations.

But to be honest, besides me appreciating the concept and enjoying the art, this book didn't do much for me. But I get how caregivers may find it useful in order to help the little ones.

I received a free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Fern A]

I wish there was an option to give this book more than five stars as it has completely earned them. Dawn Huebner in this book provides the best explanation of worry and why our brain may make us anxious unnecessarily that I’ve come across (I think it is useful for both children and adults). By using analogies that everyone will understand the book explains health fears in a non-judgemental way and also points out that it is common and nothing to be ashamed of. Steps are then clearly put across in a fun and encouraging guide (including some basic CBT, mindfulness and grounding strategies) that can be used on a daily basis. There are also lots of fun facts about the body throughout the book making it an engaging read.

What I really appreciated about this book (and in fact the whole series) is the illustrations show children of different backgrounds, so often such inclusivity is lacking. It was great especially to see children who are wheelchair users represented.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Angie]

The "Facing Mighty Fears" series by Dawn Huebner features a fantastic set of non-fiction books which aim to support children who suffer from anxiety in an non-intimidating and interesting way. Each page has simple illustrations, short paragraphs and interesting facts like the number of bones in a cat or quotes from famous people. There are also simple and straight forward strategies that children can use to counteract anxiety with clever names or acronyms like W.I.N. or steps in a staircase.

Facing Might Fears about Health really focuses in on the amygdala and how it works as sort of an alarm system. The book explains how this can be a good and bad thing and uses metaphors such as a smoke detector that I think are very well thought out. Even as an adult, I think that this metaphor could be helpful when facing my own anxiety, so I know that this would work really well for children. I love how well written this story is and how approachable the author has made this subject. There is also a list of ideas that could be new things to try. There is a note to caregivers with examples and suggestions as well as a list of resources. The illustrations are very inclusive, children in different cultural clothing, wheelchairs or other unique attributes are featured throughout the story.

I could 100% see myself using the books in this series in my Grade 3 classroom. I would recommend them to parents of anxious children. I could also see using a page or two as part of a small group or whole class mental health lesson, or just to offer to children who could use new strategies. This book could also be used by parents and guidance counsellors as well as teachers of children ages approximately 5 to 10, maybe others as well depending on developmental levels.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book! I can't wait to purchase a copy for my classroom!

[Elles_shelves]

Facing Mighty Fears About Health is a book for children who are dealing with Health Anxiety. It talks about how the amygdala in the brain sends alerts to the body if there is danger; however, sometimes is sends out false alarms signals. It had a nice comparison to a fire alarm going off for burnt toast as well as a fire because it doesn't differentiate the difference. It also provides information on what to do if you have Health Anxiety including: research the amygdala to learn why the brain alarm is not always right, how to quiet the brain alarm,. stop trying to protect yourself from things you think may make you sick. and to be patient with yourself. There were also notes to parents and caregivers that tell specific ways that Health Anxiety may present. It provides some very useful tips in how to deal with Health Anxiety. There are also lists of additional resources at the back of the book.

This book is a useful tool for children (and their caregivers) to learn how to manage Health Anxiety. It explains Health Anxiety in a very matter of fact way without making the child feel like there was something wrong with them. It is very useful for caregivers to learn how to help the child change his/ her behaviors as well at their own behaviors to help manage the anxiety. Sometimes parents who are trying to be helpful may somehow inadvertently contribute to the anxiety continuing. The book also has some interesting Fun Facts sprinkled throughout that children and adults should enjoy.

[Sara]

Wow! Was this ever an amazing read - for children, and honestly for adults as well that are facing health anxiety.

The narration throughout the book was kind, welcoming, and informative. Reassurances were provided in a nonjudgemental fashion, allowing the reader to know that they are not alone when facing health anxiety. I thought that the illustrations were great: representations of children from various ethnicities, backgrounds, and with disabilities were provided.

There were so many "fun facts" about health and the human body sprinkled within the book. I found them to be highly engaging and informative.

Additionally, the book provided a small guide for caregivers and for parents, as well as a link to numerous books, videos, and organizations relating to the subject matter presented.

I would recommended this to parents and caregivers of children 6-10 years who would like to help ease any anxiety their little ones are facing regarding health.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher, author, and illustrator for providing an advanced reader's copy in exchange of an honest review.

[Katie Young]

I so wish I had come across this great little book when I was young/about to become a teenager and when Health Anxiety (though I did not recognise at this then) became an issue for me. As an adult, I have really appreciated reading this book and think it is a brilliant resource for parents/carers of those who worry about their health. It recognises how things such as reassurance seeking keep the cycle of health anxiety going and how best to manage this. CBT exercises like Mindfulness are suggested in this book but in a simple and easy to understand way. There is a guide for parents and carers explaining how best to use this book at the back - great idea. I love the addition of extra resources at the end too and the fact this covers the UK as well as the USA. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Naomi Ruth]

This review based on an ARC made available through Jessica Kingsley Publishers & NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I finished reading the Facing Mighty Fears about Trying New Things and immediately downloaded this one so I could read it as well. Huebner does such a good job of making difficult anxieties understandable and less scary. The book starts with an explanation of what is happening biologically and then moves into simple steps for how to move past the fears & anxieties, so the reader can move forward with their life.

The book includes a note at the end for adults as well as a reference section.

I would happily read this entire series. It's straight-forward, has lovely diverse illustrations, and is no-nonsense while still being empathetic. Highly recommend!

[Elizabeth]

I have loved all the the Facing Mighty Fears books so far, and this one is no exception. The illustrations are simple, but pair perfectly with the text. This book dives into learning about health anxiety. It teaches so much about the amygdala and how it responds to our body and mind. It helps kids understand why they may be having health anxiety, how it works, and ways to help combat it. Along with a bonus section in the back for adults. I recommend this book for many ages of kids, because even I as an adult learned things I didn't know. Can't wait to be able to read it to my kids, along with all the others in the series.

[joyce w. laudon]

When I was young, I could worry. A book like this one would have been incredibly helpful. I highly recommend it as a resource for kids and their adults. It will help children to understand what they are experiencing when they worry about their health and will offer them help in coping. Kids will learn why they feel these panicky alarms and how to deal with them in four helpful steps.

There are additional sections in the book to help adults in taking with children about this book. In addition, there is a resource section included.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for this title. All opinions are my own.

[Sarah]

Another fantastic book for Primary School Children easy for them to read and understand, the language is also easy for them to read so they can read on their own or with a parent/carer.
Ideal book for professionals to use with children when discussing health fears (especially in the current climate) and how we can address these fears in a safe and effective way. I can’t wait to use this book with the children I work with.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley publishers for allowing me access to this free Advance Reader Copy.
#FacingMightyFearsAboutHealth #NetGalley

[Tina Milledge]

This is the second of Huebner’s books that I’ve read to review. The illustrations are similar, they’re simple sketches that are eye pleasing and effective. The book’s purpose is achieved - addressing health anxieties snd how to manage them. A great book to share with a younger audience. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

[Rebecca Shelton]

Having a preteen son who struggles with health anxiety, I eagerly grabbed this book to see if it would be a good read for him. I loved the way the information was laid out. Quick and easy read with a lot of information on learning about triggers and what to do with them. I will for sure be purchasing this book for my at-home collection and recommending to our librarian to purchase!

[Victoria Jackson]

Facing Mighty Fears About Health is another great book in this series. This one explains health anxiety and how to overcome it. It is accompanied by simple, but effective illustrations which are perfect for the target audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for my ARC.

[Erelah]

Facing mighty fears about health by dawn huebner is basically a self-help guide for children with anxiety. As someone who struggles with anxiety and my health and always has, I think this is a good informative book for children with hypochondria