Book Review of Charlie’s Big Problem: A Story About Anxiety
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The Children’s Book Review
Charlie’s Big Problem: A Story About Anxiety
Written by Anne Haubert
Illustrated by Reina Rey
Ages: 4-8 | 28 Pages
Publisher: Emerald Lake Books (2024) | ISBN: 978-1945847721
What to Expect: Anxiety, emotional regulation, imagination, parent-child connection, resilience.
In Charlie’s Big Problem, debut author and licensed therapist Anne Haubert introduces a heartfelt and empowering story that gives young readers—and their caregivers—a gentle, imaginative entry point into understanding anxiety.
Charlie is a little boy with a big problem: he struggles with anxiety, especially at bedtime. His thoughts are loud, scary, and overwhelming—so much so that he begins to wonder, “Is something wrong with me?” But with the tender help of his mother, Charlie learns to name his anxiety (“Thunder”), visualize it, and even change it. Through a loving conversation filled with breathing, creativity, and play, Thunder transforms from a black, roaring lion into a soft orange kitten named Sunny. With this new image, Charlie finds his calm—and his confidence.
Using her therapeutic roots, Haubert has created a kid-friendly narrative, wrapped in warmth. Her expertise shines through in the dialogue and pacing, while Reina Rey’s expressive illustrations thoughtfully amplify the story’s emotional tone. Whether it’s the stark contrast between Thunder and Sunny or the visual shift from dark to warm hues, the artwork provides a safe and vivid backdrop for young readers navigating big feelings. A highlight of the book is its realistic depiction of setbacks. Even after learning coping tools, Charlie still feels nervous the next day—but he uses what he learned and succeeds. This realistic follow-through makes this story both honest and hopeful.
Complete with discussion questions at the end, Charlie’s Big Problem is a valuable resource for families, educators, and therapists, providing practical and gentle tools to help children name their feelings, talk about them, and feel less alone. Perfect for readers navigating new experiences, sensitive emotions, or bedtime struggles—and for the grown-ups who want to help them through it.
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About the Author
Anne Haubert has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Connecticut for the past fifteen years. She has a great deal of experience helping people of all ages communicate in a calm and constructive way. Writing a children’s story was always on her bucket list, and now with her first book, Charlie’s Big Problem, it has become a reality. If she’s not reading, Anne spends her free time with her husband, two adult daughters, friends and, of course, with her rescue dog, Frankie.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Charlie’s Big Problem: A Story About Anxiety. Learn more about getting a book review …
