Catherine Delahaye / Getty Images 8 children’s books to help children tame their fears
Catherine Delahaye / Getty Images
8 children’s books to help children tame their fears
YOUTH LITERATURE – An emotion feared by parents, fear is nevertheless an integral part of a child’s development. Beginning around 8 months with separation anxiety, the feeling of fear plays an essential role in the construction of one’s relationship with the world.
Fear of the dark, of wolves, of loud noises, of strangers… Many books exist today to address childhood fears in a fun and reassuring way, and to help your child tame them. Here is our selection.
Gaston’s emotions – I’m afraid
I’m afraid, in the collection “Gaston’s emotions” by Aurélie Chien Chow Chine, ed. Hachette Children
I’m afraid, in the collection “Gaston’s emotions” by Aurélie Chien Chow Chine, ed. Hachette Children
This series of albums written and illustrated by sophrologist Aurélie Chien Chow Chine offers children the opportunity to explore their emotions by following Gaston, a little unicorn whose mane changes color depending on what she feels. Through situations that children know well – here, the anxiety that rises when bedtime approaches – the author offers them simple breathing exercises to overcome their fear and have sweet dreams.
Gaston’s emotions – I’m afraid by Aurélie Chien Chow China, ed. Hachette Children. From 3 to 5 years.
No ghosts in my house!
No ghosts in my house! by Nathalie Wyss and Justine Guryn, ed. Flammarion Youth
No ghosts in my house! by Nathalie Wyss and Justine Guryn, ed. Flammarion Youth
Signed Nathalie Wyss and Justine Guryn, No ghosts in my house! plays down children’s fears through the eyes of a little boy who fears that ghosts will enter his house. When his dad tells him that ghosts don’t exist, the boy will take the opportunity to turn the situation to his advantage… A pretty, colorful album to read as a family to help your child manage his fears.
No ghosts in my house! by Nathalie Wyss and Justine Guryn, ed. Flammarion Youth. From 3 years old.
I’m not afraid of dogs anymore
I’m no longer afraid of dogs by Anne Casteu and Carine Hinder, ed. Hachette Children
I’m no longer afraid of dogs by Anne Casteu and Carine Hinder, ed. Hachette Children
What if a child develops a phobia of dogs, has a visceral fear of the dark, or flat out refuses to go to the doctor? Published by Hachette children, the collection I’m not afraid anymore was developed by child psychiatrist Anne Casteu and relies on cognitive and behavioral therapies (CBT) to help him gently confront the source of his worries. Here, it’s Pauline who, after having a bad experience, thinks that all dogs are bad. With the help of a butterfly named Léon, she will learn to overcome her fear and lock it in a small box so that it no longer invades her.
I’m not afraid of dogs anymore by Anne Casteu and Carine Hinder, ed. Hachette Children. From 3 years old.
Don’t be afraid Brown Bear!
Don’t Be Afraid Brown Bear by Karma Wilson Jane Chapman, ed. Larousse Youth
Don’t Be Afraid Brown Bear by Karma Wilson Jane Chapman, ed. Larousse Youth
What to do when you feel alone in the face of your fear? The answer lies in this album written by Karma Wilson and beautifully illustrated by Jane Chapman. When Brown Bear leaves his den in search of dinner and finds himself lost in the forest as the storm picks up, he can count on his friends to come to his rescue. Gently addressing the fear of the dark, Don’t be afraid Brown Bear! reminds us that we should never be alone with our fears. Because when there are several of us, nothing is insurmountable.
Don’t be afraid Brown Bear! by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman, eds. Larousse Youth. From 3 years old.
Save who can!
Save who can! by Annabelle Buxton and Olivier Charbonnel, ed. La Martinière Youth
Save who can! by Annabelle Buxton and Olivier Charbonnel, ed. La Martinière Youth
Published by La Martinière Jeunesse for Halloween, this magnificent pop-up book, illustrated by Annabelle Buxton and animated by paper engineer Olivier Charbonnel, invites children to play with their fears. Will they dare to turn the next page to find out what happened to the little white rabbit who went to the vegetable garden to pick tuberous parsley? Because be careful, around the corner, many dangers lurk… Enhanced by the beautiful paper animations, this story is perfect for shivering, safely under your duvet.
Save who can! by Annabelle Buxton and Olivier Charbonnel, ed. La Martinière Jeunesse. From 4 years old.
The dentist who was afraid of children
The dentist who was afraid of the children by Till The Cat and Gérald Guerlais, ed. Gautier-Languereau
The dentist who was afraid of the children by Till The Cat and Gérald Guerlais, ed. Gautier-Languereau
We often imagine that dentists take great pleasure in treating children’s cavities. What if they were actually afraid of them? Here is the bias of this story imagined by Till The Cat and drawn by Gérald Guerlais. Anatole Mandibule comes from a long line of dentists terrorized by children. So when young Léonie bursts into his office, Anatole almost faints. It will take all the patience of the little girl for him to understand that his fear of taking care of children’s teeth is irrational. An album full of humor and tenderness to show to your child before their first oral check-up.
The dentist who was afraid of children by Till The Cat and Gérald Guerlais, ed. Gautier-Languereau. From 3 years old.
Crassouille, scare hunter
Crassouille, scare hunter by Arthur du Coteau, ed. Oxymoron
Crassouille, scare hunter by Arthur du Coteau, ed. Oxymoron
Overcoming your fears while having fun is possible. The proof with the comic strip Crassouille, scare hunter imagined by Arthur du Coteau. Crassouille is a little chimney sweep who, in addition to cleaning chimneys, also makes disappear the supernatural creatures born from the imagination of his clients. When he is called by a father and his daughter whose house is invaded by monsters, Crassouille will have to summon up his courage to help them. He will then realize that it is easier to tame his fears when you know where they come from.
Crassouille, scare hunter by Arthur du Coteau, ed. Oxymoron. From 5 years old.
A world tour of scary parties
A World Tour of Scary Parties by Matt Ralphs and Veronika Kotyk, eds. Phaidon
A World Tour of Scary Parties by Matt Ralphs and Veronika Kotyk, eds. Phaidon
Overcoming your childhood fears by realizing that everyone shares them: this is what we offer A world tour of scary parties. Written by British author Matt Ralphs and superbly illustrated by Ukrainian-born artist Veronika Kotyk, this beautiful book is full of details and anecdotes about the festivities celebrated around the world to honor the dead and the spirits. By leafing through the richly decorated pages, children will learn the origins of Halloween, Samhain and Día de los Muertos. They will also discover the throwing of beans observed in Japan to chase away demons during the Setsubun festival, will know all about the culinary traditions of the Festa di Ognissanti in Italy and will become knowledgeable about the Awuru Odo festival which brings together Nigerians every year.
A world tour of scary parties by Matt Ralphs and Veronika Kotyk, eds. Phaidon. From 6 years old.
Also see on HuffPost :
