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    The Children's Book Review

    Anxious Annie, by Leo Zarko | Dedicated Review

    Dr. Jen HarrisonBy Dr. Jen Harrison3 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Author Showcase Picture Books Social Emotional
    Anxious Annie by Leo Zarko Dedicated Review
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    Review of Anxious Annie
    Sponsored* | All opinions are our own
    The Children’s Book Review

    Anxious Annie by Leo Zarko: Book Cover

    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. 

    Illustration from Anxious Annie

    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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    Leo Zarko Headshot

    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

    Instagram: @leo.zarko

    Read our exclusive interview with Leo Zarko About Anxious Annie.

    Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Anxious Annie, by Leo Zarko. Learn more about getting a book review …

    What to Read Next:

    1. Intreview with Leo Zarko About Anxious Annie
    2. Meditation Station, by Susan B. Katz | Dedicated Review
    3. Alycat and the Sunday Scaries | Dedicated Review
    4. Picture of Grace, by Josh Armstrong | Dedicated Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Anxiety Dedicated Review Laura Reyes Leo Zarko Mental Health Picture Book
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    Previous ArticleIllustration Inspiration: Julia Kuo, Illustrator of I Dream of Popo
    Next Article Intreview with Leo Zarko About Anxious Annie
    Dr. Jen Harrison
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    Dr. Jen Harrison provides writing and research services as the CEO of Read.Write.Perfect. She completed her Ph.D. in Children’s and Victorian Literature at Aberystwyth University in Wales, in the UK. After a brief spell in administration, Jen then trained as a secondary school English teacher and worked for several years teaching Secondary School English, working independently as a private tutor of English, and working in nursery and primary schools. She has been an editor for the peer-reviewed journal of children’s literature, Jeunesse, and has published academic work on children’s non-fiction, YA speculative fiction, and the posthuman.

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