CCBC Booklists

CCBC Review:

With school lockdown drills now a frightening reality for many children, this story offers understanding and coping strategies to help ease anxiety. “Not real, not real, not real,” Henry (white) reminds himself repeatedly as the class waits silently in the dark. Other classmates hold hands as they wait for the assistant principal to check that their door is locked. When it’s all over, Ms. Betancourt provides encouraging words and an extra recess, which is met with excitement. “Why is it so easy for them and not me?” Henry cannot move past his anxiety so easily. Ms. Betancourt notices and invites Henry to talk about it; he opens up about his feelings and nightmares. His teacher tells him that he’s “not alone” and that “it’s okay to have those feelings,” and she asks him if he’d like a hug. Her hug is “just tight enough to feel good. Safe.” They take some deep breaths and engage in a grounding exercise, strategies that Henry decides he will turn to during the next drill. “Remember that I am here,” Ms. Betancourt says. “And I am with you.” Feeling lighter, Henry joins his friends on the playground. Relatable, honest, and helpful, this gentle story validates understandable feelings of fear and introduces coping strategies. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard

CCBC Age Recommendation: 5-10
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Anxiety Fear School Teachers/Mentors
Diversity subject: Brown Skin Unspecified Psychiatric
On CCBC Booklist: Feeling Anxious: Selected Books about Managing Worry and Fear for Children 

Publisher: Random House
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9780593652220
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Lucianovic

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