Fergal is Fretting!

By Author / Illustrator

Robert Starling

Genre

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Age range(s)

Publisher

Andersen Press

ISBN

9781839132629

Format

Hardback

Published

04-07-2024

Synopsis

In the latest story in the Waterstones Prize-shortlisted series, Fergal learns how to deal with his anxiety about his friend coming to stay with one very simple tip . . .

Fergal's friend Elspeth is coming to stay, and he is very excited . . . but there's a problem. He hasn't been able to see her in such a long time, so what if it's not the same? When he thinks about Elspeth's visit, his face feels hot, he can't keep still and he keeps needing the toilet. But there's one very simple thing he can do to make his fretting go away.

Learn a tried-and-tested mindfulness technique to help children deal with anxiety of all kinds - including social anxiety - with Fergal!

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Reviews

Sue

Fergal is so excited when Dad tells him that his friend, Elspeth, is coming for a visit. But then he starts to worry. It's been such a long time since he last saw her that things might not be the same. His parents notice that something is wrong and together, they find ways to make his fretting go away.

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time and having ways of dealing with this really helps. In Fergal is Fretting!, Fergal's mum suggests that he takes a deep breath, finds things to keep himself busy and focus on what's happening right now to help keep his fretting feelings under control. This is perfect advice for children - and their parents - to adopt when anxiety gets the better of them.

It turns out that Elspeth is also worried about meeting up again, reassuring children that they are not alone in feeling anxious about things and that these are quite normal feelings. Through Fergal's experiences of complicated, big emotions, children will be able to discuss and share, finding ways of coping with these, making this story (and the others in the series) a great starting point for discussions as well as a reference point to return to in times of worry.

The illustrations are lovely with the endpapers at the back of the book showing pictures of some the wonderful moments Fergal and Elspeth shared at the Summer Fete. There are so many details to notice and enjoy and teachers and parents alike will enjoy sharing this book with the children in their care.

Picture book / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher