THE OPPOSITE OF WORRY The Playful Parenting Approach to Childhood Anxieties and Fears

Johnny Heller narrates this down-to-earth advice with the magnetic appeal of the veteran storyteller he is. His phrasing is fresh and creative, always in the moment, and he’s especially good at attending to the tone and shifts in topic in the author’s writing. This is one of the more accessible books on how to help children with excessive anxiety. The author, always speaking warmly to parents, explains in conversational terms the dynamics of stress and anxiety, and the restorative value of connection, trust, playfulness, and joy. He offers practical approaches to help children navigate the four stages of stress response: alert, alarm, assess, all clear. With its lyrical writing, engaging stories, and Heller’s connection to the material, this is a terrific audio. T.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2014]