Calm Down Counting, By Suzanne Elson – a Book Review
Growing up Calm Down Counting, written by Suzanne Elson and illustrated by Dania Khatib, will be considered a book I wish I had around when I was growing up in the early 2000s, as I struggled with anxiety heavily and still do to this day. This book is centred around dealing with anxiety and how to cope with it in everyday life without anxiety taking over. Themes of self-regulation, grounding techniques, compassion, emotional competence, and family support are all in the story.
Molly and her family were on a camping trip, but Molly didn't like going because creepy crawlies were everywhere. Throughout the book, Molly experiences anxiety, but her family helps her cope by exercising the 5-4-3-2-1 Method, a grounding technique that involves identifying and focusing on 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing deep breath. This Method helps Molly manage her anxiety and enjoy her time on the trip. After her family supports Molly, she can relax and go on with her day.
Near the end of the book, Molly is left alone in the family camper with nobody to be found wearing her unicorn onesie. There was a spider! Her anxiety takes over, affecting her body and mind. Once the 5-4-3-2-1 Method kicks in, she knows she can conquer these feelings. Take control of her anxiety, she is able to help her dad deal with the anxiety of being anxious around frogs by directing him through the 5-4-3-2-1 Method
While reading, I saw the unicorn onesie as a shield helping Molly with her feelings. The unicorn onesie serves as a symbol of comfort and safety for Molly, helping her feel less vulnerable and more in control of her emotions. This made the story more relatable to me.
The book's illustration was a significant part of how this book came alive. Small details in the pictures brought a more significant meaning to each page, such as a small bee flying around Molly's head, attracted by the flower in Molly's hair, and a small hole in the screen for a possible reason for the creepy crawlies that could have gotten in the trailer.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone, regardless of age, who deals with anxiety. Packed with resources about anxiety and insightful information about its effects on the body, this book is a helpful tool for understanding and managing anxiety.
About the Author
Megan Parsons is a graduate of the Professional Writing Program at Algonquin College. Specializing in short fiction, she has a passion for writing children’s stories and exploring themes of psychological horror in her work. Currently, in school, Megan is working towards receiving a Certificate in Creative Writing from the University of Toronto.
