Freddie and Friends: Becoming Unstuck

Author: Kimberly Delude
Illustrator: Brian Martin
Publisher: Boys Town Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-944882-42-6
Pages: 32
Price: $10.95

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Betsy has a worry bug named Murray. Whenever Betsy faces a scary situation, Murray starts asking questions like “What if you get called on in class and don’t know the answer?” and “What if no one will sit with you on the bus?” Betsy starts to sweat and can no longer function.

Freddie notices her problem and invites her to join the Worry Bug Club. In weekly meetings, the members of the club discuss their worries and how they’re dealing with them. They are also provided with a FLIP bracelet, which reminds them to: F – determine the feeling the worry bug is creating (sad, scared, etc.), L – identify the lies the worry bug is telling them, I – inhale (take a deep, calming breath), P – “Positive pop” or fighting the worry bug with a good thought so it will pop. Betsy faces situations after the club meeting where she’s able to use the FLIP technique to fight through her worries and keep Murray from getting to her.

Kids will learn from Betsy as she stops letting Murray’s worries dominate her, and starts to take control of her own life with the FLIP method. Tips for parents and educators are included at the end of this fantastic teaching story, giving some techniques to work through stress with children. I highly recommend Freddie and Friends: Becoming Unstuck.

Reviewer: Alice Berger