A new story book offering encouragement for children experiencing anxiety was launched at the Adventist Book Centre in Perth on August 23. Sasha and the Scary Spotlight, the second book from Victoria Park school teacher Simone Field, presents faith as part of a wholistic approach to supporting young people who face challenges with fear, negative self-talk and anxiety.
“As a teacher, I have watched children increasingly experience anxiety as a part of life,” said Mrs Field. “And I, too, have had my own mental health battles with this particular beast. I know how crippling it can feel.”
Last year, Mrs Field’s first book, Isabel and the Lunch Box Bully, introduced young readers and their families to Isabel and the group of friends she made at her new school. Sasha and the Scary Spotlight now tells the story of one of the girls Isabel befriended.
“I want kids to know that when seemingly big problems arise—ones that threaten to overwhelm us—we can access help around us,” said Mrs Field. “There are tools available and people who want to see us get better. Most importantly, I want them to know that we are so very loved and cherished by a God who champions our success and longs for us to call out to Him.”
According to Signs Publishing book editor Nathan Brown, Sasha and the Scary Spotlight is helpful not only for supporting young people who might be experiencing anxiety themselves, but also family members and friends of people with these struggles. “Discussion questions at the back of the book offer a guide for meaningful conversations about these important health issues,” he commented. “It also shows how faith can be part of a support system that might also include family, friends, teachers and medical professionals.”
The book launch event featured an interview with the author, a time for the audience to ask questions and a reading from the book. The previous day a special prayer of dedication for the book was offered amid much excitement as part of Book Week celebrations at the Adventist primary school in Victoria Park where Mrs Field teaches Year 3. The students at Victoria Park Christian School had a special distinction this Book Week—they study at one of the few schools in Australia that can recognise a published author as one of the teachers at their school.
“We are pleased to be working with Simone on this ongoing series to bring young readers and their families more stories about how faith and friendships can help us with the challenges we face,” said Mr Brown.
Sasha and the Scary Spotlight is now available from Adventist bookshops in Australia and New Zealand, or online.
