Whether it’s raccoons, the dark, math, or whatever lurks in the bathtub, everybody is afraid of something. Big or small, common or quirky, fears are normal — and maybe even a little less scary when brought to light (and made light of).

This book introduces 16 fictional children, named in alphabetical order, along with something each fears. There’s Claire, who recoiled from legumes; Drew, who was scared of raccoons; Quinn, horrified by needles; and Will, unsettled by beetles. Darkly playful illustrations show each fear as magnified and real as a child would imagine it. Rhyming text and complex, interesting vocabulary make this book an enriching read.

In a twist on your typical alphabet book, The Little Book of Big Fears skips several letters along the way. An endnote suggests that looking to these letters — which spell GUTSY and BRAVE — will help children face their own fears.


Monica Arnaldo