VICTOR, THE WOLF WITH WORRIES

A young wolf learns how to manage his anxieties with the help of a friend.

Victor frets about lots of things—for starters, he worries that he isn’t wolfish enough. His fellow pack members are big, brave, fierce, and confident—wolfish indeed! Victor pretends to be like his packmates, but what if they expect him to do brave things that he’s not capable of? Or what if he scares the others by being too ferocious? His anxiety grows. Victor’s best friend, Pablo, encourages him to open up, but Victor is reluctant. “If you share your worry, it will feel smaller to you,” Pablo reassures him. One by one, Victor shares his concerns, and not only does he feel better, but he realizes that Pablo had the same worries, too! Pablo’s strategies—talking about feelings, mentally putting worries in imaginary bubbles to float away, and engaging in play to reduce anxiety—aren’t just for fearful wolf pups; Rayner’s coping strategies and clear message will be perfect for children who are hesitant to share their feelings. Her watercolor illustrations are artfully drawn. The visually appealing earth tones perfectly reflect the outdoors while accurately capturing Victor’s emotional journey from being anxiously uneasy to feeling confident, knowing he’s learned how to navigate his wolfish worries.

A lovable character and a gentle lesson make this tale a great conversation starter for kids with their own worries.