Little Meerkat's Big Panic

This gentle, engaging story cleverly conveys sophisticated concepts about feelings and emotional regulation. With animals used to personify parts of the brain, children are taught how worry and fear quickly take over, and what to do about it. Recognizing feelings, doing something soothing, and making plans are presented as helpful strategies, with a different animal character embodying each. A helpful explanation for parents follows, with enough detail to put parents on the right track in coaching their children to regain equilibrium when they are upset. A fun, useful story. – Dawn Huebner, PhD, Author of What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming AnxietyThe story about Little Meerkat and his ‘big panic’ will ring a bell for every anxious child and for that matter, anxious adults too… The book aimed at parents and carers… The three little animal friends (Little Meerkat, Small Elephant and Mini Monkey) represent the three part of the brain, and each of them has a particular talent. They then give us exercises to do to help us be calm. Older children will find the factual part of the book about the brain fascinating, but younger kids will enjoy the exercises… They will also enjoy the computer generated comic-style pictures. A great book for anxious kids and their anxious adults. – Elizabeth Schlenther, Healthy Books blogOlder children will find the factual part of the book about the brain fascinating, but younger kids will enjoy the exercises, such as thinking of a calm, happy place you like to be, breathing in and out slowly, standing on one leg and reaching for the sky, having a cool drink, and telling someone how we feel. They will also enjoy the computer generated comic-style pictures. – HealthyBooksThe inspiration of Little Meerkat’s Big Panic is to bring to life for children the often confusing complexity of the emotional brain, as played out by the contrasting character roles of Little Meerkat, Small Elephant and Mini Monkey. Jane Evans’ wonderfully innovative book will undoubtedly become that rare thing: a lovely story for children to share with the important adults in their lives as well as an invaluable therapeutic resource for personal, social and emotional development. – Tony Mancini, Chartered Practitioner PsychologistLovely storytelling that will entertain children while effortlessly educating kids (and parents) about emotional life and the brain. – Graham Music, Psychotherapist and Author of Nurturing Natures: Attachment and Children’s Emotional, Sociocultural and Brain DevelopmentSubtitled ‘A Story About Learning New Ways to Feel Calm’ and don’t we all need those right now… Enjoyable, but very vital book. – Red Reading Hub, Jillrbennet’s Reviews of Children’s Books

Jane Evans is a Trauma Parenting Specialist and Freelance Trainer.

This book has grown from her experiences working directly with children, young people, and parents over many years as a respite foster carer, a domestic violence parenting worker, a registered childminder, and a family support worker. She wrote the book in response to feedback from parents, carers, and workers who wanted a sensitive story to support young children who have grown up around family violence.