Avocado Feels a Pit Worried: A Story about Facing Your Fears

by Brenda S. Miles, Monika Filipina (Illustrator)

Overview

Avi is an anxious avocado. He worries about everything, always wondering what-if? what-then? what's going to happen? and ends up avoiding everything that frightens him.

One day, he hears an unusual sound outside his kitchen window . . . what could that THUMP THUMP THUD be? Fear swells in the pit of his stomach, but it occurs to him: what is the worst thing that could happen if he just dares himself to face his fears? Versatile enough for family reading, classroom, or school counselor use, readers will be rooting for Avi as he navigates situations that he once avoided. Avi's confidence builds, bolstered by the support of friends and energized by a proven method for dealing with social anxiety, until Avi takes the plunge and faces his fears head-on!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433838620
Publisher:	Magination Press, American Psychological Association
Publication date:	09/06/2022
Series:	Food for Thought
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.25(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)
Lexile:	AD500L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

About the Author

Brenda S. Miles, PhD, is a clinical pediatric neuropsychologist who works with children, teens, and families. She blends brain science with creativity to build programs and resources that support learning and mental health. Dr. Miles lives near Toronto, Canada. You can follow her on Instagram.

Monika Filipina is an award-winning author and illustrator. She earned a master's degree in children's book illustration at Cambridge School of Arts. She lives in Toruń, Poland. Visit her on Facebook @MonikaFilipinaIllustration and on X and Instagram @MonikaFilipina.

Editorial Reviews

2022-07-13
Avi the avocado copes with his anxiety.

When Avi hears a loud “THUMP! THUD!” outside his window, his fear immediately begins to grow: “What if something fell from the sky? What if something is broken? What if I never know what happened?” From his window, he notices a large brown object; days pass, and finally, he braves the outdoors and decides to bury the object. After it rains and some time passes, Avi hears another “THUMP! THUD!” and meets an avocado who fell from the tree he didn’t realize he’d planted. And just like that, Avi meets avocado after avocado, who all invite him to engage and try new things. Eventually, he becomes an “adventurous avocado” who is willing to step into the unknown (and even hang out with chips and dip!), a model of what it means to take a “big, bold PLUNGE!” The book ends with a useful reader’s note aimed at parents and caregivers from clinical pediatric neuropsychologist Miles. Avi’s anxiety is realistic and relatable, and his eventual desensitization to his fears is clearly informed by Miles’ expertise. The decision to use an avocado pit—a play on the idea of having a pit in one’s stomach—is a clever visual metaphor. Filipina’s illustrations give Avi an endearing charm, his avocado world and friends richly brought to life. The story offers children a reference point for talking about their worries and adults a brief reference guide for supporting them. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A reassuring story that doubles as a fantastic teaching and parenting tool. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews