Loppy the
Lac (Little Anxious Creature) has learned how to watch out for all of life’s
potential dangers and pitfalls. He is always alert, keeping an eye out for
something, anything, that could go wrong. Curly Calmster has learned how to be
calm and soothing and how to say encouraging things like ‘I can do it’ and ‘I
might try it’.
When Loppy meets Curly he panics. His heart beats fast and his arms and legs feel stiff. There are so many things that could go wrong, Loppy doesn’t know which one to worry about first. Fortunately Curly is there to remind Loppy to breathe deeply and be calm.
Created as a resource for counsellors, teachers and parents working with children with anxiety issues, Lessons of a LAC is a wonderful story to have on hand at home as well. The story reminds children that just because something might go wrong, doesn’t mean that it will go wrong. It is important to breathe deeply, think clearly and stay calm to make sure the best decisions are made.
When Loppy meets Curly he panics. His heart beats fast and his arms and legs feel stiff. There are so many things that could go wrong, Loppy doesn’t know which one to worry about first. Fortunately Curly is there to remind Loppy to breathe deeply and be calm.
Created as a resource for counsellors, teachers and parents working with children with anxiety issues, Lessons of a LAC is a wonderful story to have on hand at home as well. The story reminds children that just because something might go wrong, doesn’t mean that it will go wrong. It is important to breathe deeply, think clearly and stay calm to make sure the best decisions are made.
The message
of the book is obvious as Curly soothes the anxious Loppy, but the story still
holds appeal as an everyday picture book thanks largely to the illustrations by
emerging illustrator and artist Kirrili Lonergan. The limited colour palette
and the long looping red and white striped pattern curling across many of the pages gave the illustrations a
very Seuss-ish feel for me as I read the story, which helped to balance the more
serious central theme.
Author Lynn Jenkins is a registered clinical psychologist with a particular interest in helping children and adults deal with anxiety and depression. She is passionate about early intervention and believes that it is important for children to develop coping skills from a young age.
Many years
ago my daughter went through a brief period of anxiety and I wish I had Lessons
of a Lac to help explain what was happening in a way that she could understand.
Lessons of a Lac is a wonderful book to
have on hand in a preschool or infants classroom or simply on the bookshelf at
home. Reading about Loppy and Curly gives children the opportunity to learn
important skills for dealing with their worries as well as offering parents and
teachers an opportunity to start conversations about positive ways to deal with
anxious feelings.
Title: Lessons of a LAC
Author: Lynn Jenkins
Illustrator: Kirrili Lonergan
Publisher: Little Steps Publishing, $14.95 RRP
Publication Date: 22 March 2014
Format: Softcover
ISBN: 9781925117028
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book
