Harry the Happy Caterpillar Grows: Helping Children Adjust to Change

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[fbshare]Children feel safe with stability and sameness. The idea of change can bring about stress. But for a child with special needs, change can be that much more difficult. When a child with special needs has figured certain things out in his life, change can appear to be too challenging and he does not want to have to start all over.

Thank goodness for Harry the Happy Caterpillar Grows: Helping Children Adjust to Change (Let’s Talk). This delightful book helps parents teach their child that change is a normal part of life and not to fear it. The author, Cindy Jett, MSW, touches on two of the more typical changes that children encounter: changing schools and growing up.

People need change in their lives and Cindy explains:

I think it is natural and fulfilling for people to experience new things, to grow and to change. Sometimes, however, I think our fears and anxieties get the upper hand, and we begin to resist change. When this happens, things can begin to feel rote and lifeless, and that can lead to depression and anxiety disorders.“

Cindy is a psychotherapist in Washington, D.C. who has discovered that she also enjoys writing children stories. She initially wrote a story about a caterpillar to entertain her daughter. Her publisher, New Horizon Press, “saw its potential as a teaching tool” and thus, Harry was born.

Harry the Happy Caterpillar Grows is the story of a caterpillar who loves his life at school with his friends and the games they play. Harry is very disturbed when he discovers that he is expected to build a chrysalis and transform into a butterfly. He loses his friends one-by-one as they eagerly make the change, but Harry holds out.

As Harry refuses to change, he soon learns that change is inevitable. New caterpillars come to replace his friends. A talk with his teacher convinces him to build his chrysalis, change into a butterfly, and join his friends. Harry is pleased to learn that being a butterfly is equally as fun and he is happy he made the change.

This story is appropriate for children from four to ten years of age and is part of New Horizon Press’ “Let’s Talk” series. It provides parents with a starting point to talk about change with their child. At the end of the book, Cindy provides tips for children and tips for parents/guardians to discuss.

It is important to guide children who are resisting change. Cindy explains:

Attitudes and strategies for managing fear and anxiety develop in childhood, and will persist into adulthood. It is much easier to change maladaptive thought patterns and beliefs during childhood, than it is in adulthood. If you give then the tools now, they are much less likely to suffer later from depression and anxiety disorders down the line.“

I would be remiss to not mention that the book is beautifully illustrated by Kathy Voerg. The caterpillars have these engaging faces with big, delightful eyes. Their emotions are very easy to discern, as Kathy does a fabulous job of altering their eyes and mouths to depict happiness, stress, sadness, fear, and confusion. The pictures are printed on glossy paper and the vibrant colors brought a smile to my face.

In summary, Cindy advises:

This book can help with any situation where the fear of change is producing anxiety. It could be something as simple as a change in routine or something as complex as a divorce. Most change will involve a process of grieving what is lost, recognizing what remains the same, and embracing what is new.“

Cindy provided a complimentary copy of “Harry the Happy Caterpillar Grows” for this review. In the near future, I will be conducting a giveaway and a lucky reader will have the chance to win this fun and helpful book.