Once I Was Very Very Scared

This is far and away the best children's book on trauma that I have ever seen. As a therapist working with children who experienced chronic trauma and loss in the first years of life, I love the way Chandra Ghosh Ippen's book makes room for all kinds of traumatic experiences, remembered and unremembered, one-time or chronic. The representation of the dissociative response resonates with the kids I work with, as does the character who claims not to be afraid. There's even a character who doesn't want to talk about it, which gets kids talking who ordinarily refuse. In the first day I used this book in sessions, two kids who had never sat through an entire book before were completely engaged and present, identified their own typical reactions, and could think about things that might help them feel calmer. Erich Ippen's illustrations bring the story to life and help children feel safe enough to talk about their own experiences and feelings. Highly recommended for therapists, parents, teachers, OTs, and anyone working with childhood trauma. Although it looks like a little kids' book and is certainly appropriate for very young children, I've witnessed older elementary school kids engage deeply with it.

This book explains most of the ways that trauma appears in the body. Great book for any age. I highly recommend

Dr. Ghosh Ippen writes a masterful piece that takes children from the moment of disclosure, through processing and working through and resolution of trauma. She skillfully integrates the cutting edge work of luminaries such as Alicia Lieberman and Bessel van der Kolk into a tale that can be read to toddlers through latency age children. The illustrations are beautiful and she does a wonderful job of helping children (and their caregivers) understand the myriad of ways we respond to trauma (e.g. Elephant doesn't want to talk, rabbit is hyperactive, dog acts out). This is by far the best book I have found to help children talk about trauma they have been exposed to. I also like that it is not trauma-specific so can be used for a range of events that the child may have been exposed to. I am a therapist and this book will be my new go-to but it can be used equally well in a school setting and with my own children.

This book does a great job of illustrating a variety of unhealthy means of coping and then healthiq means of coping. However a mentor / counseling type person shows up out of the blue and starts giving advice. This confusion is distracting just at a time when the child needs to be listening. I will still use this book in my therapy practice but I do have to paraphrase these sections. If this book could be edited it would be much better. It's still worth buying

This is an amazing book that allows children to learn and contextualize difficult feelings. The book is written in a way that has allowed my son to hear useful phrases for sharing his feelings and how they are affecting his body. This book is so important. As a therapist/social worker, I highly recommend this for any parent who wants their children to learn about how they can communicate their difficult feelings.

A good children's story. I got it for my granddaughter.

The cute animal characters playfully show readers -big and small- what we do when we are scared. There are many different ways to react and the animal characters (a stinky skunk, a shy elephant, a loudmouth dog, and more) show us how those different reactions can lead to more troubles. Importantly -for children and adults- there are loving parents and teachers who help these animals manage their difficult feelings. I used the book to start a conversation about children’s scarry feelings and what to do with them. Best to read with children 5 and up.

I read this to my daughter, who is five and two years safe from domestic abuse - her father treated her as acceptable collateral damage, which finally woke me up enough to leave - and she started crying about halfway through this, and said she didn't like it - but I finished the book and she listened and watched the whole story. I think this may be very cathartic for her, and affirming! It's okay to feel sad or mad or bad, but how do we help ourselves feel better? Highly recommend for young children who have experienced trauma.

Lovely figures, great explanations! I love it! Should be in every kindergarten and school! Both for the kids and parents and therapeuts and caretakers of any kind! Please read!! I've read lots of books about feelings and how to explain to children and even grown ups - this is the best one!

A must read for adults and children alike. So much info in such a subtle friendly way

Perfect for my 4 yr old daughter

An exploration and validation of how emotions can be experienced; how they often show up in our behaviour, and that there can be a safe space for individual journeys. What it may look like to be seen and heard, without judgement. Who doesn’t need that, never mind when dealing with trauma.

Lovely story, bought for an almost 4 year old, very wordy story so would be perfect for older children too. Lovely message and illustrations