Brooke Graham is a children’s author, primary school teacher and mother who enjoys writing picture book stories and YA fiction. She is passionate about reducing the stigma around mental illness and frequently works with Beyondblue, hosting morning tea fundraisers. In her spare time, Brooke loves to go on adventures with her daughter, ride her horses and catch up with friends.
Robin Tatlow-Lord is a writer, animator and cartoonist. Having been drawing since she was in nappies, she loves bringing character and emotion to all her pictures and favours kids’ books, comics and graphic novels. When she’s not scribbling away, you will find her riding her bike, indulging her cat’s relentless need for neck scratches, or playing roller derby!
New Zealand Association of Counsellors Newsletter; Reviewed by counsellor Celia King
Children who worry or are anxious will be encouraged to see the boy’s resilience and confidence grow. It provides an opportunity for counsellors to discuss similar strategies that a child may use.
Narrative therapy and CBT are combined beautifully in easy-to-understand language where the main character moves from being afraid, to using coping skills and strategies that make him assertive and able to make the Worry Monster go away.
New Zealand Association of Counsellors magazine
Author Brooke Graham uses a narrative externalising technique to show how ‘Worry Monster’ gets Archie
to worry.
Archie uses the strategies his mother taught him to shrink the Worry Monster – deep, slow breaths,
telling Worry Monster why he doesn’t need to worry, ignoring it and distracting himself.
Delightful, colourful and imaginative illustrations support the concepts effectively, depicting the
worry monster growing bigger and then smaller as the story progresses. There is much for readers to
look for as the characters show a progression of emotions and responses throughout the story.
Counsellors will find this book particularly helpful to use with 4 – 9-year-olds who are struggling with
anxiety.
My Child
“Gives children evidence-based strategies to cope with anxiety. This invaluable resource is an excellent spring board for discussions with children who are experiencing worry”
What’s Up Downunder
“If you have a child, or grandchild, who worries this is the book for you” Click here to read in full
Kids’ Book Review
“Children will relate to Archie, and the story by Brooke Graham incorporates useful simple techniques for managing stress and anxiety, and shows children that they are not alone in having worries.” Click here to read
Bottom Shelf Edu Blog
“Worry Monsters have been out and about all this year, not just before big events like starting school and any stories that help our littlies develop strategies to send them on their way are welcome. This one is beautifully written and illustrated and any child could put themselves in Archie’s pyjamas and feel empowered.” Click here to read
Blue Wolf Reviews
“As a subliminal element many parents reading this out loud will also engage with the simple and yet effective methods of learning to cope with new and unexpected things in their children’s lives” Click here to read in full
Brooke interviewed by QT and piece syndicated to Courier Mail
“Motivated to equip young children with tactics to navigate anxiety, the Ipswich schoolteacher created a picture book in which the “worry monster” embodies irrational fear. The protagonist defeats the monster – anxiety – by using the same techniques Charlotte learned from a counsellor to manage her anxiety.” Click here to read in full
ABC Darwin
“gives children useful strategies to cope (with anxiety).”
Buzzwords
“Blending rich illustrations with uplifting text, Go Away, Worry Monster! is bound to become a beloved childhood volume. The story is awash with superb strategies to help kids cope with stressful situations, and supports youngsters as they seek out their own inner strength.” Click here to read in full
Byron Bay Bibliotherapy
“It can be hard to find a picture book about anxiety that appeals to kids and isn’t too much like a self-help manual. Go Away, Worry Monster! is highly recommended for anyone dealing personally or professionally with anxious kids.” Click here to read more
My Child
“Gives children evidence-based strategies to cope with anxiety. This invaluable resource is an excellent spring board for discussions with children who are experiencing worry.”
Teacher Librarian Janet “With so much going on in children’s lives with a pandemic that goes on and on, worries about their loved ones and much more – the worry monster can teach us all to reign in our thoughts and take control.”
What Book Next? Review
“Go Away, Worry Monster uses tried and true strategies currently used by psychologists to assist children in putting aside their anxiety, worries and fears. This Hardback picture book is a non-confronting way to approach any worries a small child may have about new situations in school or at home.” Click here to read more
The Corner On Character – Reviews
“…children will relate to his worry correlating with the Monster getting bigger and bigger; it’s a very real conflict, especially since “he’s a big boy now” and he wants to be able to take care of this problem himself.” Click here to read more
Karen Tyrell – reviewed on YouTube
“helps kids to identify symptoms of anxiety and strategies on how to overcome anxiety” Click here to view
