The issue of stress in children is easy for parents to dismiss as mere growing pains or fleeting mood swings. But stress—from academic or social challenges, or as a reflection of family discord—can profoundly affect a child’s emotional and cognitive well-being. Therapist and psychologist Daniel McMillan is the author of BADGER AND TURTLE: Face the Storm, a children’s book intended to help kids and their families better understand the patterns of stress, particularly between parents, and learn healthy approaches to managing stressful situations.
BADGER AND TURTLE begins on a warm, sunny day, as best friends Badger and Turtle laugh and frolic in the sun. Suddenly the clouds darken, and the winds begin to howl as a terrible storm approaches. The two friends respond in ways that multiply and worsen their anxiety: Turtle, trying to escape, digs a hole in the ground where he can feel safe; Badger, seeking comfort, reaches out for Turtle but accidentally scratches him with her sharp claws. Not realizing why Badger hurt him, Turtle panics and digs even faster. Seeing Turtle in the hole hidden inside his shell, Badger feels hurt and abandoned. “Turtle, you’ve left me out here all alone!” she shouts. Turtle, who sees Badger shouting but can’t hear what she’s saying, becomes even more anxious. It’s a vicious loop that escalates their fear and pain.
BADGER AND TURTLE may be a children’s book, but its concise, easy-to-understand depiction of the ripple effects of fear and anxiety offers sage wisdom for grown-ups, too. The story brilliantly juxtaposes the characters’ different “fight or flight” stress responses: Badger’s reactivity, which causes him to lash out blindly and hurt Turtle; and Turtle’s reflexive withdrawal, which causes Badger to feel isolated and abandoned. In a few words, McMillan helps readers understand the causes of stress-induced behaviors—the book emphasizes that these aren’t personality defects or hostile actions—and offers an example of how to weather these emotional storms in a healthy, loving manner.
McMillan, a sensitive and adept storyteller, expresses complex ideas in a plainly eloquent voice that children can easily grasp and adult readers can learn from. The book’s illustrations are charmingly evocative, with a warm, vibrant color palette and expressive characterizations that beautifully convey the drama of the storm, the characters’ terror, and their touching affection for each other.
Daniel McMillan’s BADGER AND TURTLE: Face the Storm is an invaluable educational tool, offering kids and parents a way to turn stressful situations into opportunities for emotional growth and deeper understanding between family members.
~Edward Sung for IndieReader