Molly and the Runaway Trolley

Molly’s mind is filled with dread and worry, leaving her shaky, sweaty, dizzy, and queasy. She feels like her body’s riding a streetcar that has completely careened out of control. It’s a feeling that comes anytime she’s about to take a test, a quiz, or has an unexpected change in routine. Her anxiety transports her onto a jam-packed trolley filled with all her worries, fears, and doubts. She doesn’t know how to get off, how long the ride will last, or where she will end up. But one thing is the ride makes her head hurt, her heart pound, her ears ring, and her legs wobble. When Molly finds herself on yet another twisting, twirling trolley ride, she is determined to make it stop. She begs the operator, a grandfatherly type with a twinkle in his eyes, to pull the brakes. But he won’t because he can’t. He’s not the one who is actually at the controls. Molly is! Molly tells him that’s impossible because she’s just a kid. But he assures her that the power to stop the trolley is in her hands. He explains how taking deep breaths engages the brakes, how stepping back from worry puts the trolley in reverse, and how counting down using the five senses leads to a smooth stop and solid ground. Now that Molly knows how to take control, will she be able to slow down this anxiety-fueled streetcar? Or will she be stuck on a never-ending ride with no exit? Using snappy text and lively illustrations, author Ashley Bartley explores childhood anxiety and feelings of panic. A special page written specifically for parents, caregivers, and educators offers insights and strategies on how to empower elementary-age children with the skills they need to manage stress and use self-regulation strategies. Molly and the Runaway Trolley is the first title in Bartley’s Self-Management and Me storybook series, written for students in PreK-5. Bartley is also the author of the entertaining Diamond, Opal and Friends series, which includes these popular Jasper Wants to Stay Home, Diamond Rattle Loves to Tattle, Opal Octopus Is Overwhelmed , and Remi in Overdrive. This is a great book about dealing with anxiety. The story shows how anxiety affects the main character, and what anxiety looks and feels like. It talks about looking for 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things that you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste to help stay grounded. This book shows that it is ok to have anxiety, and gives ways on how to cope / work with your anxiety. I wish this book was around when I was younger! -Meghan Clark (Reviewer) What a great way to talk about anxiety to kids and put it into words and feelings that they are more familiar with and may have experienced. I also love that it gives strategies for kids to help manage these feelings they may be experiencing. This is a great addition to a classroom library especially in regards to social emotional learning. The illustrations in the book are diverse and very eye catching too which would keep kids engaged in the story as well as allows all kids to potentially seem themselves in the story. -Victoria Knolikowski (Reviewer)