EVEN LIONS GET SCARED
Embracing Emotional Challenges A journey from fear to courage “When we have relational safety, of togetherness, and we are more likely to be curious that courage comes and able to establish emotional from within. The regulation.” book introduces the As an author and Child Clinical concept of a “brave Psychologist, I am thrilled to share heart button,” which the magic of my newly published changes as Scout book, Even Lions Get Scared. This learns to navigate the book is the first in a five-book ups and downs of fear series that addresses ordinary and and courage. unexpected emotional challenges This story isn’t faced by children and their just for children. It’s for parents, families. Through these stories, caregivers and anyone who has I hope to provide tools to help ever faced the uncertainty of big children and parents reconnect emotions. By normalising fear, with the normal human emotions Even Lions Get Scared helps reduce of fear, worry and nervousness, anxiety around challenges by which are often misunderstood as conveying the idea that connection obstacles rather than opportunities and bravery are key to making for growth. I wanted to create a fear manageable, no matter what story that reassures them that fear you have to face. Being aware that is normal and that courage is not in something is normal helps us know the absence of fear, but the ability we can survive the moment to to move forward despite it. eventually get on with our day. The inspiration for this book At its core, this book teaches emerged during the COVID that resilience is built by taking lockdowns when I began working brave steps, even when it feels with children and families online. uncomfortable. Scout’s story We were all thrust into a scary and is about having the courage to uncertain world where many of take that first step, knowing that the safety strategies we rely on as fear is a natural response when humans, like physical touch and we face doing anything new or connection, were suddenly labelled something that is important to “unsafe”. Whilst we are slowly us. This principle is vital not just making our way towards rebuilding for children, but for adults as a sense of what “safe” means, well. Supporting children through many children are still struggling their fears helps them develop the with ordinary challenges such as mindset that they can overcome separating from their parents and obstacles with time, effort and the attending school. belief that “You can if you think Even Lions Get Scared follows you can.” the adventures of Scout, a In addition to its emotional and mischievous lion who believes he educational value, Even Lions Get has it all: courage, strength and Scared introduces children to absolutely NO fear - that is, until the science behind big emotions. he faces something new at school; It explains how our brains and his body and mind react with bodies react to fear, and how uncertainty and he tumbles into an understanding these responses can unknown world of fear. Help comes help manage them. A vital part of from an unlikely friend, with this process is having a safe person whom Scout discovers the value you can trust, someone who can
“sit in the yuck” of the big feelings without trying to fix them. When children feel relationally safe, they are better equipped to move through their big feelings and tackle the challenges
they face. I hope this book offers families the opportunity to talk openly about fear and courage, making it easier for children to share their emotions and feel supported in their growth. When children are encouraged to be brave, they learn that challenges can be faced and overcome. This story reinforces the message that courage lies within us all and that we are capable of managing more than we know. For me, this book is not just about writing stories to support children, it is also about giving back to the community. A percentage of the profits from the book will go to the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation Australia, supporting critical research to find a cure for the deadliest kind of childhood cancer. Even Lions Get Scared is a reminder that courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about facing fear, taking that next step and knowing that we are never alone on the journey. DR MARCELLE MOORE MA; MPhil(hons); DClinPsych; Dip Systemic Practice; MAPS Clinical Psychologist, Author and Director of Family Jigsaws
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