Some Things Are Scary
What’s inside...
Know someone who’s starting school? Getting a new job? Going to the in-laws’ for the first time? For anyone on the brink of something scary, this gift edition of a hilarious classic is the perfect antidote. You’re skating downhill, but you don’t know how to stop. You’re having your hair cut, and you suddenly realize... they’re cutting it too short. There’s no question about some things are scary. And never have common bugaboos been exposed with more comic urgency than in this masterful mix of things horrible and humiliating, monstrous or merely unsettling. Now in a compact edition with a new cover - and a bookplate that lets gift-givers specify the occasion - Florence Parry Heide’s witty text and Jules Feiffer’s over-the-top illustrations will get even the most anxious recipients laughing, while reassuring them (no matter how old they are) that they’re not alone in their fears.
Discussion points
What part of the book made you feel brave?
How do you think the character felt when they were scared?
Can you think of a time you felt like the character?
What are some things that help you when you're feeling scared?
Do you think it's okay to be scared sometimes?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing, maintain a comforting and open posture to make your child feel safe in expressing their feelings.
Share your own experiences of facing fears to show your child that it’s normal and okay to be scared.
Encourage your child to draw or act out parts of the story where the character was scared and overcame the fear.
Validate your child’s feelings by reassuring them that it's perfectly fine to feel scared, and discuss healthy ways to manage those feelings.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child’s responses to deepen the discussion and enhance their understanding and empathy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Acknowledging fears
Explanation: The book illustrates a variety of situations that children might find scary, promoting an understanding that feeling afraid is a universal experience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their fears openly, enhancing emotional intelligence and communication with peers and adults.
Example Lesson: Empathy development
Explanation: By seeing different characters experiencing fear, readers can develop empathy by understanding that others might be afraid even if they are not.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be more compassionate and supportive when they see others in distress.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing fears
Explanation: The story subtly encourages confronting fears without making light of the emotions they evoke.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by bravely facing small day-to-day challenges, thereby building their confidence and resilience over time.
Example Lesson: Normalization of fear
Explanation: The book portrays fears as normal and varied, helping to destigmatize fear in young readers.
Real-World Application: This aids in fostering a healthy attitude towards fear, allowing children to feel understood and less alone in their experiences.