The worry box

PreS-Gr 2-Murray is a young bear who worries about everything, especially when it comes to making new friends. Fortunately, he has a great older sister named Molly who tells him about her worry box. Every time she feels worried, she writes it down and puts it in the box so it won't stop her from having fun. But will this solution work for her apprehensive younger brother? This is a book that many children will relate to. Young listeners will enjoy the large and attractive illustrations. The background colors slowly change as the animals progress through the bright daylight into dusk. The pictures have a soft, sometimes muted, appearance. The entertaining bears and rabbits have human qualities while still retaining their animal characteristics. VERDICT A good read-aloud that offers opportunities for one-on-one or classroom discussion. A worthwhile addition for most collections.-Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Murray learns to not let his worries get in the way of living life. Murray Bear's big sister, Molly, has agreed to meet her friend Oliver, a rabbit, at the waterfall to play. But Murray is afraid of the waterfall and doesn't want to go. Molly gently addresses his concerns and then shows him her worry box, where she places slips of paper that list her worries. "When my worries are in the box, they don't stop me from having fun." Murray adds his concern to the box and then puts the whole thing in his backpack. Murray's worried feelings are still apparent to readers as the two bears approach the rendezvous, but he has the courage he needs to enjoy playinguntil Oliver's friend Lily arrives and provokes more worries about making new friends. Murray puts them in his worry box and has a grand time, and he's even able to help Lily when she has a big worry of her own. Julian's animals are lightly anthropomorphizedthey wear no clothing, but their home has books and art supplies, they sometimes walk on two legs, their fears match those of young children, and the facial expressions and body language will be familiar. An alternative to worry dolls for anxious children. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.