Me and My Fear
What’s inside...
When a young girl has to move countries and start at a new school, her fear tells her to be alone and afraid. How can she hope to make friends if she doesn't understand anyone? Surely no one else feels the same way... From the award-winning author and illustrator of The Journey, this insightful and delicately told story shows that we can all find friendship and comfort when we share our fears.
Age
4-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Little Girl
The Friend
Fear
Discussion points
What are some things that make you feel scared like the character in the book?
How do you think fear affects the way we see the world?
Can you think of a time when you overcame a fear and how did you feel afterwards?
Why do you think it's important to talk about our fears?
How can we help each other when we're feeling scared?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child about their current understanding of fear and share a personal story about overcoming a fear.
While reading, pause at key moments to ask your child how they feel and if they can relate to the character’s emotions.
Encourage your child to draw or write about their fears after reading to help them process their feelings.
Point out the coping mechanisms shown in the book and discuss with your child which ones they might find helpful.
End conversations by reaffirming your support and availability to talk about anything that might be scary.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and Managing Fear
Explanation: Through the character's journey, children see how personifying her fear helps her understand and manage it, making it less overwhelming.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify their own fears and realize that it's normal to feel scared sometimes. They can use this understanding to face and manage their fears in daily situations.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: The story demonstrates how friends help the main character by being understanding about her fear, showing empathy and compassion.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be supportive and compassionate towards others who may be experiencing fear or other strong emotions.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Change
Explanation: The protagonist faces new challenges and changes, learning to cope with them progressively.
Real-World Application: This provides a model for resilience that children can emulate when they encounter changes or challenges in their own lives, such as starting a new school or moving to a new place.
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness
Explanation: The protagonist's fears are amplified by her experience in a new country with a different language and culture.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity, recognizing that moving or transitioning between cultures can be challenging and that everyone's feelings in such situations are valid.
Example Lesson: The Importance of Self-Expression
Explanation: The story highlights how expressing fears can lead to support and understanding from others.
Real-World Application: It teaches children that sharing their feelings is important for their emotional health and can lead to receiving help and building stronger relationships with those around them.