Jack plays the trumpet and looks forward to his first recital, until the big day arrives. He wakes up with a Worry, and that Worry grows bigger and bigger as he eats breakfast. He tries to get rid of it, but nothing works. Not even playing his trumpet, which usually makes him happy. “I don’t want to go!” When his mom asks why, it takes Jack a moment to look right at his Worry and understand what’s inside: “I’m worried I’ll make a mistake and you won’t love me anymore!” A picture book about anxiety gets a big boost from the wonderful personification of Jack’s Worry. Originally a smallish blue-green blob with scribbled eyes, it grows bigger and bigger, darker and darker, looming over Jack. But once Jack defines his Worry, and once his mom reassures him that she’ll love him no matter how he plays, his Worry, while not disappearing altogether, becomes more than manageable. And when Jack gets to school and sees his friends, he also finds that he—and his now teeny-tiny Worry—are not alone. (Ages 4–8)

A touching and reassuring story about the jitters associated with first experiences — and the satisfaction that comes with conquering your fears.

Jack loves playing the trumpet, and for weeks he’s been looking forward to taking part in his first concert. But on the morning of the big day, Jack finds he has a Worry. And his Worry starts to grow. Even when Jack’s mother calls him for a special breakfast, even when he hides under the bed or runs around the yard, his Worry follows him. Suddenly, when it’s almost time to leave for the concert, Jack finds it’s all too much. For anyone who’s ever been afraid of failing at something new, this book offers just what’s needed to shrink a Worry down to size.