Read an Excerpt
Sometimes I'm Afraid
A Book about Fear
By Michaelene Mundy, Anne FitzGerald Abbey Press
Copyright © 2012 Michaelene Mundy
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4976-8122-4
CHAPTER 1
What does "Afraid" feel like?
You've been afraid, so you already know what it feels like!
It can be a cold and chilly feeling, or a shaking, quaking feeling all over.
It's a funny feeling in your stomach—maybe even a stomachache.
It is mainly a bad feeling and one that you feel like you can't make better. But there are ways to make things better.
It's good to be afraid of some things.
Everyone is afraid of something. And that's good. Being afraid of fire, or afraid to run out into the street, being afraid of strangers, or to hit a great big bully is a good thing.
Being careful is important. If you were never afraid, you might do things that could hurt you or put you in danger.
Being afraid can also be a problem.
If you are afraid of too many things, though, it can be a problem. It can keep you from learning, from sleeping, from having fun.
You might not discover a fun ride at the amusement park or that the cold water in the swimming pool feels warmer after a while.
Being afraid can even get us into trouble.
If you accidentally break something, your dad or mom might ask, "Who broke that?" You might be afraid to say that you broke it because you don't want anyone to be mad at you.
If you don't say anything, or tell a lie, you might get someone else in trouble. That doesn't feel good either.
Be brave. It's always better to tell the truth, and that takes courage.
Courage is what we need.
Having courage means we do things that are right even when we are afraid.
This might mean raising your hand in class even if you are not sure you have the right answer.
It might mean being nice to someone no one else seems to like.
What can we do when we're afraid?
Lots of times it helps to talk with Mom or Dad, an adult friend, or a teacher about something you are afraid of. They can often help you. They will understand.
People older than you have been and are still afraid of some things, too—like sharks, or getting lost going to a new place.
Maybe a better way.
Something that you can do for real is just to quiet down—breathe very SLOWLY in and out, in and out. This can help the scared feeling a lot.
A lot of grown-ups do this before they give a speech, or before they start a new job.
Even better ways to handle being afraid.
Learning about the things you are afraid of can help. It's called "getting the facts."
If you are afraid a monster is living under your bed, you can read about other children who were afraid of this and how they handled it.
Sometimes these stories will make you laugh and feel better.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Sometimes I'm Afraid by Michaelene Mundy, Anne FitzGerald. Copyright © 2012 Michaelene Mundy. Excerpted by permission of Abbey Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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