Little Meerkat's Big Panic

Jane Evans is a Trauma Parenting Specialist and Freelance Trainer. This book has grown from her experiences working directly with children, young people and parents over many years as a respite foster carer, a domestic violence parenting worker, a registered child minder and a family support worker. She wrote the book in response to feedback from parents, carers and workers who wanted a sensitive story to support young children who have grown up around family violence.

This gentle, engaging story cleverly conveys sophisticated concepts about feelings and emotional regulation. With animals used to personify parts of the brain, children are taught how worry and fear quickly take over, and what to do about it. Recognizing feelings, doing something soothing, and making plans are presented as helpful strategies, with a different animal character embodying each. A helpful explanation for parents follows, with enough detail to put parents on the right track in coaching their children to regain equilibrium when they are upset. A fun, useful story.