Orchard Books ISBN: 978140356135 £12.99
We all know a Worrysaurus: a child or adult who tends to overthink things and worry about what might happen instead of living in and enjoying the moment. Such is the theme of this charming tale which begins on a beautiful day when little Worrysaurus wakes to the lovely plans he has made for the day ahead. Soon, however, doubts about whether he has packed enough food and drink for his picnic grow into fears about getting lost before becoming a real butterfly of nerves in his tummy when a lizard warns of an impending storm. From his dark place of gloomy thoughts, Worrysaurus first remembers his mother’s advice to, ‘Chase that butterfly away!’ and then he looks through and draws comfort from the contents of his happy tin. His fears and little butterfly fly away leaving him to enjoy his picnic with his new lizard friend.
Brightly illustrated double page spreads, rhyming text with key words in a larger font (although “gotten” to aid scansion seemed a pity) all make this an easy book to use in shared reading with Yr R/1. Opportunities to make their own happy tins and to discuss their worries will arise naturally. I particularly identified with “Worrysaurus liked it when he knew what lay ahead”. Anyone else?
Sue Barrett