Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever felt worried at bedtime, like something big and scary was keeping you awake? That’s exactly what Charlie faces in this gentle and empowering story, Charlie’s Big Problem by Anne Haubert, LMFT. From the very first page, the artwork hooks readers in with expressive and colorful scenes, which perfectly match the realistic descriptions of Charlie’s feelings. It begins with Charlie, a little boy who can’t sleep and doesn’t know why he feels so scared inside. His mom helps him name his fear (“Thunder”) and then lovingly and cleverly shows him a way to change it from being scary, like a roaring lion, to being soft, like a purring kitten, Sunny. With his mom's help, he can turn any anxious situation into a manageable one.

Anne Haubert's story tugged at my heart. I chose it because of the topic. I’m always searching for more resources on childhood anxiety since it seems like more and more children are anxious. This book is a helpful guide for parents and teachers to find ways to aid them in making those big feelings a little less scary. Charlie’s Big Problem stands out for its age-appropriate approach and warm conversation starters at the end, like ‘What was your favorite part of the story?’ and ‘Can you relate to Charlie’s problem in any way? If so, how?’ Kids will easily understand it, and the pacing is just right to hold their attention. They’ll also appreciate (as I did) how Charlie’s stuffed bear feels the same way he does. The illustrations by Reina Rey brought the feelings to life. The heaviness of the anxiety was conveyed through darker colors at the beginning, and hope emerged when he was able to manage his anxiety, resulting in the pages turning bright. This book is ideal for home use, but it could also be a valuable tool in classrooms when discussing feelings and emotions. I highly recommend it.