Quieting Hazel's Heart

THUMP-THUMP! THUMP-THUMP! There it is again! Hazel feels a "THUMP-THUMP" in her chest every time she starts to think about being away from her mom and starting preschool. Can she calm her scared feelings? Will she have fun at school? Quieting Hazel's Heart, by Kirsten Henry, is a picture book about children learning to separate from their parents. Hazel experiences what many children do when they leave their parents for the first time, fear and nervous feelings. With the help of her teacher and a little creativity, Hazel slows her pounding heart and adjusts to going to school on her own. This uplifting and sweet story is a great read for children ages 3-6 who are working through separation anxiety and starting something new.

Reviewed by Andy Hutchings for Readers' Favorite

I welcome any creative work that gives parents a tool to talk to their children about something difficult to articulate, and Kirsten L Henry has done this with her new book Quieting Hazel's Heart. I can't remember with great accuracy the first time I felt anxious or had a panic attack, but as something that plagued me for the first half of my life, I certainly can remember the comfort that came from a friend sharing their experience of them with me and making me realize that I wasn't alone. I'm gratified to see that books like this one are out in the world now, helping children to understand the complicated feelings they are starting to develop as they reach school age.

Throughout Quieting Hazel's Heart, both the author and illustrator Cennet Kapac do a wonderful job of portraying Hazel as a normal and happy young girl who is dealing with a normal yet daunting feeling of anxiety about being away from her mother whilst at school. These emotions can be difficult to talk about for children who don't yet have the right words to express what it is they're feeling, and who don't have the life experience yet to know what is and isn't normal. But by reading Kirsten L Henry's work, the tools for understanding and expression are expertly shared in a way that makes them accessible to the target audience. Although my niece is currently too young for this book, I'll be holding onto it until she's at the age where separation anxiety is an issue as I truly believe it will help her with those feelings.

KIRSTEN L. HENRY has been an early childhood educator for nearly 20 years. Over the course of her career, she felt a desire to tell her own children's stories. Her inspiration comes from other children and teachers over the years, as well as from her own children, Ryan and Sarah. It is her hope that her books delight and teach children important skills. Kirsten lives in Eagan, Minnesota with her dog, Lena. CENNET KAPKAÇ is a Turkey-based illustrator and character designer with over 10 years of professional experience in the Illustration field: children's books, 2d animation, character design, concept art, digital paintings, coloring books, comics, and covers. She loves being part of the creative team bringing stories to life with unforgettable artwork.

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