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Absolutely No Worries

Author Laurel Gale
Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf
Hardcover
$18.99 US
| $24.99 CAN
Astra Publishing House | Astra Young Readers
On sale Nov 04, 2025 | 32 Pages | 9781662620041
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
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With an emergency parachute in her pocket and zombie self-defense skills under her belt, Emma is prepared for any catastrophe . . . so why does she still feel afraid?

This reassuring social-emotional picture book for young readers ages 4 - 8 shows kids that they are bigger than their fears.

Emma needs to make sure she’s prepared for whatever disasters may lie beyond the front door. A ladder to escape from exploding volcanoes? Check. Garlic in case a bloodthirsty vampire is poised to attack? Check. Extra socks for . . . well, just in case? Check!

When Emma is faced with a situation she is not prepared for, she learns the most valuable survival skill of all: to accept that it doesn’t have to be scary when some things are out of her control. Written for kids with big imaginations and everyday jitters, here is a picture book that shows that with a pinch of courage, you can be ready for absolutely anything.
"...An enjoyable tale of an imagination gone wild. Back matter provides kid-friendly suggestions for how to move forward when feeling anxious."—Booklist

"Endless small details in watercolors and China ink illustrations invite careful examination while visual exaggerations show Emma’s fears spinning out (surely, the pirates, werewolves, dinosaurs, and skeletons wouldn’t all attack at once). Gale and Wilsdorf are both intentional in presenting Emma as intelligent and deserving of respect, and though there is gentle humor, it is not directed at Emma, but rather in how each of her danger scenarios might play out in hyperbolic ways. Anxious readers will likely relate, and they’ll be relieved to see Emma has saved the day but retained much of her cautious approach to the unknown. A quick list at the end describes ways to manage anxiety, ranging from deep breathing to making contingency plans."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
© Laurel Gale
Laurel Gale is a children’s book author whose middle-grade novels include Dead Boy; Story Magic; and Monster, Human, Other. She currently lives in Lewiston, ID. Visit laurelgale.com. View titles by Laurel Gale
Anne Wilsdorf is the illustrator of several picture books, including Ezra Keats Honor Book Sophie’s Squash and ALA Notable Children’s Book Ruby Lu, Brave and True. She was the Swiss candidate for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2000. View titles by Anne Wilsdorf

Classroom Activities for Absolutely No Worries

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Read More

About

With an emergency parachute in her pocket and zombie self-defense skills under her belt, Emma is prepared for any catastrophe . . . so why does she still feel afraid?

This reassuring social-emotional picture book for young readers ages 4 - 8 shows kids that they are bigger than their fears.

Emma needs to make sure she’s prepared for whatever disasters may lie beyond the front door. A ladder to escape from exploding volcanoes? Check. Garlic in case a bloodthirsty vampire is poised to attack? Check. Extra socks for . . . well, just in case? Check!

When Emma is faced with a situation she is not prepared for, she learns the most valuable survival skill of all: to accept that it doesn’t have to be scary when some things are out of her control. Written for kids with big imaginations and everyday jitters, here is a picture book that shows that with a pinch of courage, you can be ready for absolutely anything.

Reviews

"...An enjoyable tale of an imagination gone wild. Back matter provides kid-friendly suggestions for how to move forward when feeling anxious."—Booklist

"Endless small details in watercolors and China ink illustrations invite careful examination while visual exaggerations show Emma’s fears spinning out (surely, the pirates, werewolves, dinosaurs, and skeletons wouldn’t all attack at once). Gale and Wilsdorf are both intentional in presenting Emma as intelligent and deserving of respect, and though there is gentle humor, it is not directed at Emma, but rather in how each of her danger scenarios might play out in hyperbolic ways. Anxious readers will likely relate, and they’ll be relieved to see Emma has saved the day but retained much of her cautious approach to the unknown. A quick list at the end describes ways to manage anxiety, ranging from deep breathing to making contingency plans."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Author

© Laurel Gale
Laurel Gale is a children’s book author whose middle-grade novels include Dead Boy; Story Magic; and Monster, Human, Other. She currently lives in Lewiston, ID. Visit laurelgale.com. View titles by Laurel Gale
Anne Wilsdorf is the illustrator of several picture books, including Ezra Keats Honor Book Sophie’s Squash and ALA Notable Children’s Book Ruby Lu, Brave and True. She was the Swiss candidate for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2000. View titles by Anne Wilsdorf

Guides

Classroom Activities for Absolutely No Worries

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Read More

Additional formats

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