There’s a T-Rex in my Tummy

Description

Written, illustrated and printed in New Zealand.

Note from the author Kellie Dawson

Originally written in 2021 for my son who was struggling with anxiety during the Covid-19 lockdowns in New Zealand, There’s a T-Rex in My Tummy aims to normalise feelings of anxiety that arise for children in a number of different ways and provide children with some strategies to use to help them to cope with their worries.

The book came about because I struggled to find resources for our son that he could relate to. I wanted to write something to help him to understand his big feelings, to know that they’re ok and that we support him, and to give him some ideas for how to cope with those big feelings. When I shared the story with him he wanted to turn it into a “real book”, so we started the journey to publishing our book so it can be shared with other little people who struggle with anxiety.

Reviews

“My 5 year son loved reading your book! He loved the rhyming and found the pictures very cool! I love how relevant the message of the book is, not only to kids but to adults as well. I hope he uses the tips you’ve suggested as he continues with his journey at school and in life.”

“Just to let you know books arrived this afternoon, THANK YOU! Very impressed with the book you did an amazing job, it’s so well written and easy for kids to understand.”

Meet the Kiwi creators

Kellie Dawson is an Auckland-based human rights lawyer and mother of two, whose worries over her own son’s anxiety led her to create a resource specifically aimed at helping her son, Xavier, to understand that his feelings of anxiety were normal.

Sarah Healey is an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer, and mother of two. She works on a variety of projects but has a soft spot for children’s book illustration, particularly enjoying working with authors to help bring their stories to life.