Pilar's Worries

August 15, 2018
Pilar is painfully shy, plagued by worries and performance anxiety, even in ballet--her favorite class. To help her through her days, her friend and her mother help remind her to "breathe." When an opportunity to audition for a ballet production presents itself, Pilar worries that she won't be able to participate. Between Mama's encouragement, Pilar's positive self-talk, and her friend's support, her performance is a success. Golden's simple watercolors successfully convey the progression of angst-filled expressions flitting across the little Latina's face. Unfortunately, the characters' cookie-cutter angular features are practically indistinguishable except for skin color. Following her straightforward story, Sanchez provides links to websites about childhood anxiety; however, both a cavalier comment in the author's note and the simplicity of the story vastly oversimplify anxiety disorders. "Anxiety is...one of the easiest conditions to treat with simple coping strategies and cognitive behavior therapy," writes Sanchez. By implying that shyness, stage fright, worrying, and anxiety disorders are interchangeable issues, Sanchez undermines the effectiveness of her message. Further diminishing the story's value is the fact that while Pilar practices some of the many coping strategies and treatment plans recommended by mental health professionals, readers are completely excluded from the learning/discovery process--they watch Pilar from the outside. This well-intended exploration of anxiety is seriously flawed and misrepresents the seriousness of anxiety disorders. (bibliography) (Picture book. 4-7)

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October 1, 2018

Gr 1-3-Pilar loves to dance, but with auditions on the horizon, the child is racked with worries. She lets out a long breath and reminds herself that she knows all the steps to her favorite ballet. At school, Pilar is full of anxiety. A friend, Sebastian, notices her struggling with her emotions and reminds her to breathe. That night, Pilar begins to feel anxious again and her mother reminds her to breathe, do what she loves, and say positive phrases to herself. Pilar works to keep her worries from hampering her performance and she gets a part in the ballet. The illustrator, working in subdued watercolors, pastels, and pencil, creates a soothing backdrop to the overarching theme of chronic childhood anxiety. Pilar and her classmates are thoughtfully drawn with enough detail and expression that children should be able to identify with her as she goes about her daily routine at home and school. A note from the author on childhood worries and a few selected resources focusing on childhood mental health are appended. The story effectively illustrates Pilar's anxiety and the coping mechanisms she successfully uses to defuse it. VERDICT A solid addition to help young readers develop empathy and resilience. -Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2018
Grades K-2 In Sanchez's gentle picture book, she introduces Pilar, a sweet ballet dancer who deals with social anxiety. When an opportunity to audition for a Winter Wonderland performance arises, she wants to participate, but she's consumed by self-consciousness and self-doubt about her dancing skills, a feeling only exacerbated by mishaps that occur the day before. She is supported by her good friend Sebastian and her compassionate mother, who understands her feelings, guides her through coping techniques, and encourages her to find her inner strength. Sanchez emphasizes Pilar's efforts to manage her anxiety through strengthening her resilience, as well as prioritizing dance, an expressive outlet that brings her joy. Nervous kids will be able to relate, especially when Pilar describes how she feels after every mishap, and they'll have their confidence bolstered by Pilar's smart coping techniques, such as using positive thinking, talking about her feelings with friends and family, and taking time to do the things she truly loves. An author's note offers more tips for helping children with anxiety, as well as additional resources for parents.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2019
Pilar loves ballet, but her worries could prevent her from auditioning for the Winter Wonderland show. With breathing strategies and emotional support, Pilar successfully auditions. Kids with anxiety could disagree with the claim in the author's note that anxiety is "one of the easiest conditions to treat." But Pilar's experiences could also offer comfort and understanding. Golden's quiet illustrations capture Pilar's inner world.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)