January has begun! That means it is time to review books for Multicultural Children's Book Day which is on January 30th this year! I always love reviewing the books for MCBD. It introduces me to new authors and publishers!! It is always so much fun! Today I get to share with you a wonderful picture book about having anxiety. It is Worry Won't Win! Moe & Liza Explore Anxiety by Christine Reynebeau and illustrated by Rachael Hawkes. I don't see an age recommendation for this book but would say 6 to 10 year-olds would enjoy reading it on their own and probably 4+ to have it read to and discussed with.
From the Publisher:
Moe & Liza are share what it's like when anxiety pops up in your day-to-day life and learn how to cope.
This book explores the topic of Anxiety, recognizing that it is prevalent and challenging to face. Sometimes recognizing that the anxious thoughts we have are like having a roommate in our head can help us to look at them different and choose to focus on other thoughts. Join Liza as she learns to focus on things around her, put her thoughts to bed, and breathe deeply.
In a world where the worries of anxiety can feel heavy, it is time to start exploring ways to cope with it our lives early.
Tackling difficult topics with your children just got easier!
This parenting tool will change the way you talk with your young readers about appearances.
From Me:
As the mother of a very anxious now teenager, all I can say is this book is perfect!! As I read how Moe (the imaginary person talking in Liza's head) was reacting to everything, it brought me right back to Hazel when she was young. It was the perfect description of how she described and acted because of her Moe. I still see her reactions to Moe today. Of course, I have my own Moe as well and this book hit some of my own thoughts and issues as well.
As a parent it is hard to know the best way to help a child through an anxiety attack. Sometimes it is just listening to them or listening and helping them see the overreaction they are having. Other times it is just giving them a hug and letting them know you are there. This book shows several ways that Liza's parents try to help her deal with her anxiety. It also shows methods Liza learns to help her like counting to five or taking deep breaths. I think this book's best description is that anxiety is like having a roommate in your head and the solution is to be the boss of that roommate.
Besides the amazing story and description of anxiety in everyday life, I love the illustrations. They are very realistic and colorful. I love that Liza is not white and her family seems to be Muslim based on the mother's hijab. It shows us that anxiety is not dependent on a race and also introduces different races to younger children. I know the kindergarten teacher at my school shared one of the diverse books I reviewed here with her class, which was very white at the time and the kids had strange reactions to the main character being Black. It actually encouraged her and the other teacher in the room to share even more diverse books with the class to help normalize different races with these kids. (This is why we all need diverse books and why Multicultural Children's Book Day/Read Your World is so important!)
This book is perfect for a children's therapist, a classroom and a book at home. I feel that it would be a great book to have a discussion with a child who gets anxious or with a class about anxiety and how each of them may experience it at different times in different ways. It would also be great to introduce some mindfulness and yoga activities to younger children to help them learn way to cope with anxiety. The book is perfect to show any anxious child they are not alone in their anxiety. It is something many people have chronically and something everyone experiences at some point or another. It also may help kids be more empathetic to one another when another child is being anxious. It is really an amazing book that I feel every parent and teacher of younger children should read and share!
Read Your World 2025 (1/30/25) is in its 13th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission and history HERE.
Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Medallion:
FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr (Audreypress.com)
🏅 Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media
🏅 Platinum Sponsors: Publisher Spotlight and Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 60 Languages
🏅 Gold Sponsors: Third State Books
🏅 Silver Sponsors: Red Comet Press and Lerner Books
🏅 Silver Corporate Sponsor: Scholastic Books
🏅 Bronze Sponsors: Lee and Low
🏅 Corporate Sponsor: Crayola Education and Scholastic
Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!
Authors: Stephanie M. Wildman, Martha Seif Simpson, Anna Jennings, Gwen Jackson, Afsaneh Moradian, Josh Funk, Nancy Tupper Ling, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Gea Meijering, Eugenia Chu, Dorktales Story Time, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Cynthia Levinson, Diana Huang, Rochelle Melander, Lisa Chong, Lisa Stringfellow, Brunella Costaglioga, Lindsey Rowe Parker, Rachel C. Katz, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Shifa Safadi, Lisa Rogers, Sylvia Liu, Eva Clarke
Read Your World is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts and by our Partner Organizations!
Check out RYW’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!
📌 FREE RESOURCES from Read Your World Day
📌 Register for the Read Your World Virtual Party
Join us on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 9 pm EST celebrating 13 years of Read Your World Day Virtual Party! Register here.
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants are welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 30, 2025, at our virtual party!
