Review of Anxious Annie
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The Children’s Book Review
Anxious Annie
Written by Leo Zarko
Illustrated by Laura Reyes
Ages 4-8 | 35 Pages
Publisher: Leo Zarko | ISBN: 979-8571791502
What to Expect: Anxiety, School Play, Friendship, and Family Support
Annie is energetic, friendly, and kind, but she somehow just can’t seem to relax. Everything makes her nervous, whether it’s riding on the bus or going to the dentist and the try-outs for the new school play are no different. Annie desperately wants to be in it, but she’s so nervous she can’t remember her lines for the audition! Luckily Annie has clever friends and loving parents to help her calm down, slow down, and be the best she can be. With their help and some wise words from her friend Cameron’s grandpa, Annie learns to face her fears and keep her anxiety under control.
With so many children struggling with mental health issues every day, there really cannot be enough stories that model strategies for coping with and managing anxiety. Anxious Annie uses compelling, engaging characters and punchy, rhythmic rhyming text to reassure readers that their feelings of anxiety are perfectly normal. Annie’s boundless energy and sense of mischief are sure to appeal to young readers, who will sympathize with her likes and dislikes, quirks and quandaries. Most importantly, the central message—that the best way to cope with anxiety is to rely on family and friends’ love and support—is reassuring, letting readers know that it is okay to reach out for help. Anxious Annie is an enjoyable story with an important lesson, perfect for shared reading at home or school.
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About the Author
Author Leo Zarko has always been somewhat of a dreamer with a vivid imagination. He had a rough childhood and obtained bad grades in school, which led to a blue-collar lifestyle that was quite stressful. Overall, Leo persevered and found his talents, then pursued them with a passion. His interest in art, music, and anything mechanical created positive outlets in his life.
When his children were young, Leo discovered a creative niche telling bedtime stories. As his kids grew, so did the characters. Several years ago, Leo followed a new dream of putting all those bedtime stories into print. He has written many children’s books that reflect positive morals and ethics, and encourage young readers to be considerate and kind. Leo’s desire is to see kids dream big and succeed in life. His recent children’s books can be found on Amazon.
“God has given me a talent and I want to use it to the fullest, as we all should!”
—Leo Zarko
Read our exclusive interview with Leo Zarko About Anxious Annie.
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