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Go Away, Worry Monster! — Interview with Brooke Graham #readilearn

interview with Brooke Graham author of Go Away, Worry Monster

It is not uncommon for children to experience some level of anxiety or worry when beginning a new school year or starting at a new school. Many adults experience it too when faced with a new situation. It is important to keep the worries in perspective to avoid having them grow uncontrollably until they take on monster proportions.

Today I am interviewing Brooke Graham, author of a beautiful new picture book called Go Away, Worry Monster! that is not only a tool for discussing these worries with children but also shares strategies they can use independently to chase those worry monsters away.

About the author Brooke Graham

Brooke Graham author of Go Away Worry Monster

Brooke Graham is a children’s author, primary school teacher and mother. She enjoys writing emotive stories that help children cope with life’s ups and downs. Brooke is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), The Australian Society of Authors, and Write Links, a Brisbane based writers’ group. Brooke teaches in primary schools part-time. She also does author visits in schools and kindergartens. In her spare time Brooke enjoys reading, bike riding, bush walking and spending time with family and friends.

About the book Go Away, Worry Monster!

Go Away Worry Monster, a picture book by Brooke Graham

Worry Monster loves ‘helping’ Archie worry, especially on the night before he starts at a new school. Archie feels so anxious that his head hurts, his tummy flutters and his heart pounds. He soon realizes that the only way to feel better is to make Worry Monster go away. He does his belly breaths and challenges his inner fears by facing facts, and Worry Monster is forced to leave Archie alone! Go Away, Worry Monster! gives children useful strategies to cope with their anxieties and stress, showing them how to make their own Worry Monsters leave, even in highly stressful times.

What I like about Go Away, Worry Monster!

Continue reading: Go Away, Worry Monster – Interview with Brooke Graham – readilearn

Comments

32 responses to “Go Away, Worry Monster! — Interview with Brooke Graham #readilearn”

  1. LucciaGray Avatar

    Lovely title and idea. Some little kids do worry a lot. Sounds like a great book:)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      It is lovely. I like the way Brooke has woven strategies that children can use into the story without being preachy.

      Like

  2. Anne Goodwin Avatar

    What a lovely story. I don’t recall any picture books about anxiety when I was a kid.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I’m sure it would make an interesting study for someone interrogating literature, but I think there has been an increase in books that focus on socio-emotional development over the years. I’m not sure that anyone cared so much about our socio-emotional development when we were young, as long as we did what we told and got on with things. Perhaps a little harsh, but the change is definitely there, IMO.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Anne Goodwin Avatar

        I agree with you entirely. Much better nowadays, even though many do unfortunately slip through the net

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          Too many still.

          Liked by 1 person

  3. Sarah Brentyn Avatar

    Well, this is lovely. The more books kids have with tools to deal with worry & anxiety the better. (And adults, too.) ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      It is a good one, Sarah. I especially like that it arms children with strategies.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sarah Brentyn Avatar

        Yes. We can all do with some good strategies for stress and worry. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          I know I can. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  4. Jennie Avatar

    Some of the first books I read as a preschool teacher were about monsters. “There’s a Nightmare in My Closet” and “There’s an Alligator Under My Bed.” These are the books children need to hear as opposed to much of what is written today. Thank you for introducing us to this book and author.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      My pleasure, Jennie. I remember the Nightmare in my Closet too, but not the Alligator. I wonder if it was called something different here. It’s funny how they change the titles and covers from one country to another sometimes. Maybe it happens less now with many books available to purchase worldwide.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        I have seen books that have a different cover. I wonder why, too.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          Different audiences, I guess. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  5. calmkate Avatar

    some Asian languages have no translation for this word ‘worry’ … it just doesn’t arise in their culture! They believe if you can do something about it act now, and if you can’t then move on. It’s very much a western issue and so glad it’s being addressed 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      That’s interesting. I haven’t heard that before.

      Like

      1. calmkate Avatar

        I lived over there for years and know loads …

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          That’s great. Thanks for sharing.

          Liked by 1 person

  6. Annika Perry Avatar

    Norah, what a beautiful and magical book! Brook I love the story and the illustrations are bewitching … this is a book my son and I would have loved when he was little and one he needed a lot then! A story relevant for adults and children alike … we just have to watch we don’t worry that monster into a ginormous size!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      It is a beautiful book, Annika, and your advice about size is important too.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    Acknowledging the worries is important, but I especially like how Brooke is teaching coping strategies.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I agree, Pete. And I like that those strategies are not only easy to implement, they are effective too.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Book Club Mom Avatar

    I think we think kids don’t worry and/or their problems or concerns aren’t big. But they are real and big for them! Heading over to read the rest – thanks, Norah!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks so much, Barbara. Enjoy the interview!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Msdedeng Avatar
    Msdedeng

    This is great!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Angela.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Msdedeng Avatar
        Msdedeng

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Jacqui Murray Avatar

    Great topic and not one talked about often. Sounds like a wonderful book.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      It is, Jacqui. I love the strategies that Brooke suggests. They are so easy for children to implement.

      Like

  11. Kate Avatar

    I think there are days when we all need to read this book and remind ourselves in a fun way how to kick those ‘Worry Monsters’ out of our house.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I totally agree, Kate. The strategies Brooke suggests are very like those I implement.

      Liked by 1 person

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