Key Selling Points

• Uses metaphor to introduce readers to the concept of anxiety, what causes it and how to manage it.
• Presents readers with breathing and visualization exercises.
• Includes further reading in the back matter about anxiety and asks the reader to consider times when they feel worried or anxious.
• Silly nicknames and playful illustrations keep the story from feeling too serious.
• The French edition of this book, Simone sous les ronces , won the 2020 Prix des libraires du Québec in the youth (0-5) category.

?“Scenes are evocative and provide endless opportunities for discussion with young children. This book is ideal for all libraries as a non-threatening and productive story that can give hope to children who feel like Olivia.”—SLJ, starred review

The world is a really big place for little kids.

When Olivia starts to feel overwhelmed by her big feelings, she sprouts vines. They are thorny and twisty and make it impossible for Olivia to do the things she loves to do, like ride her bike or play with her friends. Plus, no one wants to come near a giant ball of thorns. Luckily, Olivia has a very special teacher. Someone who sees past the prickly and the pokey to the upset little girl and helps Olivia learn to manage the vines.

This quirky picture book is the perfect introduction to the idea of anxiety and those big feelings that seem impossible to manage. Olivia’s teacher provides some tricks to help manage the feelings, and a special message at the end of the story encourages young readers to think productively about their own anxieties.