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Reviewed by Amy M. O’Quinn

I was an anxious child—always worrying and fretting about what ‘could’ happen, and I am sure that my parents often wondered how to handle the situation. One of my children has inherited this ‘anxiety’ gene, and there are many times when I am at a loss of how to help her cope, even though I experienced the same feelings when I was younger. I admit that it is easy to become overwhelmed when you don’t know what to say or do in order to make everything better. And yes, frustration can result.

However, Dr. Laurie Zelinger, PhD and her son, Jordan, have written a book that is the perfect resource for children (and their parents) who experience anxiety. The book, Please Explain “Anxiety” to Me! Simple Biology and Solutions for Children and Parents, is written FOR children and simply (yet thoroughly) helps them understand their anxious feelings and strategies for dealing with them. The Zelingers use dinosaurs in a ‘story type’ format to present the material, then correlate that same information to the human body. They also use the example of a ‘switch’ being turned on when anxious feelings arise. Children will certainly enjoy this book.

I was amazed by how the Zelingers were able to take a complex biological concept and present it in such an easy and relevant way for children to comprehend and apply to their own situations. Well done! I also learned a lot about the nervous system myself and why our bodies respond in certain ways to feelings and stimuli! Additionally, I now have some simple strategies and solutions to suggest (such as breathing in and out, walking, relaxation, and distraction), when my daughter feels anxious.

I was also encouraged to know that ‘anxiety’ is common, and it is something that apparently can be carried forward from generation to generation. I believe that being informed is the first step in dealing with any difficult situation, and the Zelingers have given me that information and the tools I need to help my child (and others) who experience fear, worry, and anxiety. Highly recommended.

To learn more about Please Explain “Anxiety” to Me! or the Zelingers, go to www.drzelinger.com. You can also find out more about the book at www.lovinghealing.com.

Title: Please Explain “Anxiety” to Me! Simple Biology and Solutions for Children and Parents
Authors: Laurie Zelinger, Ph.D. and Jordan Zelinger
Publisher: Loving Healing Press (July 23, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1615990291
ISBN-13: 978-1615990290

Dr. Laurie Zelinger is a New York State Licensed Psychologist as well as a Certified School Psychologist in New York State, New York City, and New Jersey. She is also a Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor of the Association for Play Therapy and in April 2009, was elected to the position of “Director” on the Board of Directors for the New York State branch of the organization. Dr. Zelinger has additional certification in the following areas: The Grieving Child Bereavement Certification, Banana Splits Divorce Program, Child Abuse Prevention, NYS OMRDD Behavior Management of Aggressive Clients, and in CPR (including updated re-certification). Dr. Zelinger recently completed certification as a Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Team Associate Volunteer.

She has given numerous presentations to professional associations, such as the international conference on the Association of Play Therapy, National Association of School Psychologists and presentations to many teacher and parent groups.

Jordan Zelinger is a graduate of Union College where he earned his BS degree in Neuroscience and is now pursuing his doctoral degree in School-Clinical Child Psychology at Pace University in New York City. Jordan enjoys working with typically developing children as well as those who have special needs, and has worked in preschool classrooms with both during the summers. He collaborated with his mother on this, his first book, drawing upon his background in psychology and biology. He hopes to apply his skills in community and school settings, as he begins to embark on his professional career.