Tom Percival is brilliant at writing picture books for children that deal with emotions and how to recognise and deal with them, they are a great favourite both in my own home, and also in the school library. Certainly they should be a must must in every SENCO and ELSA bookcase as they work beautifully with PSHE curriculum, and what is more calming than having a story read to you when you're feeling upset?
In Attack of the Heebie Jeebies, Tom has taken his art form to an older audience (7+) with an illustrated Chapter book that deals with anxiety, anger and jealously. MC Erika is having a bad day - her one year old brother Randall is ruining everything and taking all of her parents attention, leaving her wishing that he wasn't there at all. Stomping and shouting and completely losing her temper she is sent to her room to storm until she eventually falls into an exhausted sleep - where she enters the Dreamscape, and encounters the Dreamteam, a mob of hungry Heebie Jeebies and a terrifying Angermare that seems to feed and grow off her anger!
As with all of Tom's books, through the MC we learn about how different emotions present themselves, and how they can grow and take over if left unnoticed and unchecked. In order to feel balanced and in control we need to learn about our emotions and the coping strategies we can use when those emotions get too big!
In Attack of the Heebie Jeebies we follow Erika on her own journey to understanding, as with the help of the Dreamteam, and a very cute Heebie Jeebie she learns how to control her emotions and so have a happier relationship again with her family. What i particularly loved about the book is that although it's accessible to younger readers there is no dumbing down of language - with wonderfully descriptive and occassionally challenging language. in addition the Purple and black illustrations throughout tie in beautifully with the dreamworld/nightmare setting, creating the perfect atmosphere for Erika's adventure.
Attack of the Heebie Jeebies, Written & Illustrated by Tom Percival, Published by Macmillian Children's Books. Recommended for readers 7+
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