Fears                                                                       

  Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you. -Mary Tyler Moore

Dakar is scared. When her family left East Africa to spend a year or two in Cottonwood, North Dakota, Dakar's older sister, Jakarta, was adamant about staying behind. Now Jakarta is all by herself in Kenya...and she's missing.

It's terrible to go through life cringing, sure that at any minute a blow is going to come from somewhere. Dakar doesn't want to worry, but she can't help it. What if Jakarta was in the middle of a Nairobi bombing? What if?............

What to Expect When You Use the Potty (What to Expect Kids).
by Heidi E. Murkoff, Laura Rader (Illustrator)

Adorable Angus the Answer Dog cheerfully and respectfully guides young children through the exciting, sometimes daunting experience of potty training. An ideal read-aloud book for children who are on the verge of transitioning from diapers to big-kid underpants, this matter-of-fact book explains the process naturally and calmly. Each two-page spread asks a question: "Where do pee-pee and poop come from?" "What's a potty?" "How do I know when to go to the potty?" "Why do I have to wash my hands?" and more, each question anticipating the next. Angus answers these queries with clarity, sensitivity, and attention to age-appropriateness. Amusing and appealing pictures by Laura Rader illustrate such compelling details (well, to small children, anyway!) as where pee-pee and poop go after flushing. A paw print in each section indicates a little game or idea for young trainees. The introduction invites parents to use their own language for the terms provided, but recommends child-friendly names over highly clinical terms.

Sooner or later, Mommy and Daddy will need to go someplace on their own. But how should a baby sitter--as a concept and a real person--be introduced? Ask Angus the Answer Dog. This cheerful Yorkie anticipates every question a child might have about what happens when a baby sitter comes over and answers with upbeat honesty. Each two-page spread asks a question: "Why do I have to have a baby sitter?" "Why can't I just go with Mommy and Daddy?" "What if I get hungry when the baby sitter comes?" "Do baby sitters have children like me?" and more. Many of Angus's responses include a suggestion to make a list before the sitter arrives: about favorite foods, activities, and bedtime routines. A paw print in each section indicates a little game or idea to help "baby sittees" get used to the idea of a baby sitter.

Everyone knows that going to the doctor can be a little scary. For a small child who may not understand why being poked, prodded, and jabbed with a needle is necessary, the prospect is especially daunting. Enter Angus the Answer Dog, a Yorkie pup who loves to answer all kinds of questions about growing up (as seen in other titles in the wonderfully appealing What to Expect series for young children, including What to Expect When the Baby Sitter Comes and What to Expect When You Use the Potty). Angus takes young readers by the hand and guides them through a visit to the doctor's office. Each two-page spread asks a question: "Why do I have to go to the doctor?" "Why does the doctor push down on my tummy?" "What's a shot?" "Do I need one?" and more, each question anticipating the next. Then, in an extremely calm and reassuring manner, Angus answers each question. Parents and children alike will welcome the honest, clear explanations about staying healthy and will enjoy the games and ideas in each section.

With a little handholding (or paw-holding) from Angus the Answer Dog, Mommy's first-born can be guided happily and intelligently through the often bewildering experience of becoming an older sibling. For children who are about to lose their only-child status (or their youngest-child status, in larger families), this read-aloud book is a treasure. On each two-page spread, Angus asks a question: "Where is the baby?" "How did the baby get in there?" "Can the baby hear and see me?" "Why doesn't Mommy feel well sometimes?" and more, each question anticipating the next. He answers these queries with clarity, sensitivity, and attention to age-appropriateness that will be a huge relief to parents and children. Each section has a little game or idea to help children understand what's happening in their family. The introduction invites parents to add to or edit the information provided, according to their own child-rearing philosophies.

Berenstain Bears in the Dark.
by Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain

After a scary bedtime story, Sister Bear is too frightened of the dark to shut her eyes. "Sound psychological advice and a night light help Sister conquer her fears. Children will empathize with Sister Bear in this well-written story."--School Library Journal

Ghost's Hour, Spook's Hour.
by Eve Bunting, Donald Carrick (Illustrator)

There's something strange about tonight. What's that woo sound outside my window? "Both text and paintings are in turn spooky and reassuring, generating a full range of emotions about a typical childhood fear." -- School Library Journal, starred review Booklist Editors' Choice
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Julian's Glorious Summer.
by Ann Cameron, Dora Leder (Illustrator)

School Library Journal:
Cameron has captured the same atmosphere in Julian's Glorious Summer as she did in The Stories Julian Tells (Pantheon, 1981). Julian is pleased that summer has arrived until his best friend Gloria rides by on a new bicycle. His fear of falling prohibits him from learning to ride, and he doesn't want Gloria to know. Cameron has done an excellent job of portraying children's fears and their desire to hide them.  Zenata W. Pierre, Portland Public Schools, Oreg. -School Library Journal

The Courage Of Sarah Noble.
by Alice Dalgliesh, Leonard Weisgard (Illustrator)

Remembering her mother's words, an eight-year-old girl finds courage to go alone with her father to build a new home in the Connecticut wilderness and to stay with the Indians when her father goes back to bring the rest of the family.

There's A Monster Under My Bed.
by James Howe, David Rose (Illustrator)

Simon decides that he's old enough to sleep without a nightlight. But soon, he can hear something breathing under the bed--and he just knows it's a monster! "A surprise and a reassuring ending come when he finds who is really under the bed."--Boston Globe.

The Ghost-Eye Tree.
by Bill, Jr. Martin, Ted Rand (Illustrator), John Archambault

"Deep, dark pictures of a windy, cloudy, spooky night provide the appropriate atmosphere for this tantalizingly told story-poem about a brother and sister who are sent out at night to fetch a pail of milk . . . A splendid selection for Halloween."--Booklist.

Foolish Rabbit's Big Mistake.
by Rafe Martin, Ed Young (Contributor)

As all the animals panic and flee at little rabbit's announcement that the earth is breaking up, a brave lion steps in and brings sense to the situation.

Call It Courage.
by Armstrong Sperry (Illustrator)

A legendary adventure story of how Mafatu, the son of the Great Chief of Hikueru, a Polynesian race who worship courage, conquers his fear of the sea and proves he isn't a coward. "Mafatu's story has a strength and simplicity that appeal to a wide range in age, and it is beautifully told."--New York Times Book Review. Newbery Medal; ALA Notable Children's Book.

Storm In The Night.
by Mary Stolz, Pat Cummings (Illustrator)

Thomas and his cat live with Grandfather. One night during a thunderstorm, the electricity goes off, leaving them in the dark. The old man begins to tell Thomas about his experience on a similar night when he was a boy and was very frightened. Grandfather's gentle tale allows Thomas to relax and admit his own fear.

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