What do you think?
Rate this book
The Playground Problem: A Book about Anxiety
When Ruby notices that Joey is being bullied, can she use her SEN Superpowers to help him? SEN Superpowers: The Playground Problem explores the topic of anxiety with an empowering story and adorable illustrations.
The SEN Superpowers series celebrates the positive traits associated with a range of common SEN (Special Education Needs) conditions, boosting the confidence and strength-awareness of children with those conditions, while also allowing for better understanding and positivity among their peers. Each book includes a page of discussion points about the story, a page of tips for how to boost abilities (inclusive for children with and without special educational needs) and, finally, a further page of notes for parents and teachers. The books feature a dyslexic-friendly font to encourage accessibility and inclusivity for all readers.
The SEN Superpowers series celebrates the positive traits associated with a range of common SEN (Special Education Needs) conditions, boosting the confidence and strength-awareness of children with those conditions, while also allowing for better understanding and positivity among their peers. Each book includes a page of discussion points about the story, a page of tips for how to boost abilities (inclusive for children with and without special educational needs) and, finally, a further page of notes for parents and teachers. The books feature a dyslexic-friendly font to encourage accessibility and inclusivity for all readers.
- GenresPicture Books
24 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2019
19 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 4, 2019
Third and probably the last book I've read from this author and collection. This supposed to talk about different learning or social problems but I always find that it miss its target by far. This one is supposed to be about anxiety when it felt more about interaction problems, being shy, which can be related to social anxiety but not necessarily.
October 24, 2019
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.
The Playground Problem is about a little girl who feels worried and anxious about doing her show and tell to her class. She finds a kindred spirit with another child in the class during playtime who is lonely and sad and they cheer each other up and become friends.
This was a lovely tale that I think children with social anxiety will especially relate to.
At the end of the story there are pointers and tips for both teachers and parents which are quite useful too, especially to those who are experiencing this of their child for the first time.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series of books soon.
The Playground Problem is about a little girl who feels worried and anxious about doing her show and tell to her class. She finds a kindred spirit with another child in the class during playtime who is lonely and sad and they cheer each other up and become friends.
This was a lovely tale that I think children with social anxiety will especially relate to.
At the end of the story there are pointers and tips for both teachers and parents which are quite useful too, especially to those who are experiencing this of their child for the first time.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series of books soon.
October 24, 2019
*received by netgalley for honest review* I REALLY loved this book! This book is great for so many reasons and I love that this book is simple but detailed enough for a large range of kids to understand, I especially love the extras in the back of this book! helpful for kids and adults.
October 4, 2019
The Playground Problem is a really lovely story about a young girl called Ruby who is anxious about her show and tell in front of the class but soon discovers some comfort in a friend that shows she's not the only one with worries.
I think this is a fantastic book as it shows anxiety in such an easy to understand way even for the Pre-School children, they may not completely understand that she's anxious but they can see that she's worried and needs a friend and this is a lovely way to show the children how they might be able to help someone who's anxious or worried. I like how we get to see Ruby as she goes through the day, starting off with things going wrong in her eyes, to a more comfortable child nearer the end as this allows the children to understand better how Ruby is feeling.
Ruby is a great character as she is relatable for some children but even for the more confident children it is good to show them that everyone is different and it's brilliant that Ruby doesn't give up but finds a way to cope so she can succeed in her task of the show and tell. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous and the children enjoyed watching Ruby as she spent her day at school and they were great to show how Ruby was feeling.
At the end of the story their are some notes and tips for parents and teachers which I think is fantastic as it's a great way to better understand how as adults, we can help children with anxiety and get a better understanding. This is a brilliant story which shows very well how a child might feel anxiety that is great for even younger children!
I think this is a fantastic book as it shows anxiety in such an easy to understand way even for the Pre-School children, they may not completely understand that she's anxious but they can see that she's worried and needs a friend and this is a lovely way to show the children how they might be able to help someone who's anxious or worried. I like how we get to see Ruby as she goes through the day, starting off with things going wrong in her eyes, to a more comfortable child nearer the end as this allows the children to understand better how Ruby is feeling.
Ruby is a great character as she is relatable for some children but even for the more confident children it is good to show them that everyone is different and it's brilliant that Ruby doesn't give up but finds a way to cope so she can succeed in her task of the show and tell. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous and the children enjoyed watching Ruby as she spent her day at school and they were great to show how Ruby was feeling.
At the end of the story their are some notes and tips for parents and teachers which I think is fantastic as it's a great way to better understand how as adults, we can help children with anxiety and get a better understanding. This is a brilliant story which shows very well how a child might feel anxiety that is great for even younger children!
November 19, 2019
I was very impressed with everything about this book. It an educational story about a little girl named Ruby who suffers with anxiety issues. It also demonstrates how she worked to overcome her fear of doing a show-and-tell in front of her class and made a friend in the process. As she practices her talk alone under a tree at school, she meets another child, a little boy named Joey who is shy and needs a friend. Who does love a serious story with a happy ending?
The illustrations are lovely and calming, there are exercises, tips for helping children cope with anxiety and discussion points for parents and teachers to work with their children on concocring their fears. The fonts are dyslexia friendly as well, and although that's not an issue for me, I felt it added to the calming nature of this story.
Highly recommended!
The illustrations are lovely and calming, there are exercises, tips for helping children cope with anxiety and discussion points for parents and teachers to work with their children on concocring their fears. The fonts are dyslexia friendly as well, and although that's not an issue for me, I felt it added to the calming nature of this story.
Highly recommended!
October 6, 2019
This picture book story is one that children who experience anxiety will relate to. It tells the story of Ruby who is quite anxious about doing her show-and-tell at school. Her fears are realized when she has issues with her presentation. What happens after this? That is the heart of the story.
Young readers/listeners will watch as Ruby re-groups. They will see Ruby reach out to another child and how this helps her to cope, helps another child and leads to a friendship. At the end of the book, there are pointers for adults and questions for class discussion.
All in all, this book may help to de-stigmatize issues for a child you know.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.
Young readers/listeners will watch as Ruby re-groups. They will see Ruby reach out to another child and how this helps her to cope, helps another child and leads to a friendship. At the end of the book, there are pointers for adults and questions for class discussion.
All in all, this book may help to de-stigmatize issues for a child you know.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2019
The Playground Problem is a great book to read to kids about dealing with anxiety. This book is about a little girl who is feeling anxious about show and tell. Then at recess she plays with a little boy who is lonely. She works through her anxiety.
This is a great book to read to your kids as it promotes talking about anxiety. There are talking points at the end of the book that you can use to talk to your kids. I highly recommend this book!
This is a great book to read to your kids as it promotes talking about anxiety. There are talking points at the end of the book that you can use to talk to your kids. I highly recommend this book!
November 18, 2019
The playground problem has it's roots in a problem that abounds across the nation. Childhood anxiety is prevalent and with these books, teachers can share the brave ways kids can help themselves and others.
October 15, 2020
Anxiety disorders are really underrepresented, especially in children's literature, but this book handles it very well and gives us a lovable character to experience it through. I love this book series and how it endeavors to give children with different abilities representation in picture books. Ruby is a fun character to follow and, like all the others, you definitely start to root for her and her empathetic superpower.
The best thing about this book is all the resources in the back that can give parents and teachers the tools they need to best serve children with anxiety disorders. I also love the sweet illustrations that all these books share.
The best thing about this book is all the resources in the back that can give parents and teachers the tools they need to best serve children with anxiety disorders. I also love the sweet illustrations that all these books share.
October 8, 2019
I can relate to Ruby, as I am sure many people can. It can be such a challenge to fight through anxiety even in our day to day lives where simple tasks can make us panic. The way she was able to overcome and work through her anxieties was great. I thought it was really great how she reached out to Joey knowing her needed someone. Together they created positivity and lifted one another up.
What a great book to show kids that they are not alone in their struggles.
The illustrations were vivid and. Right and I loved the outline style and the drawing style.
What a great book to show kids that they are not alone in their struggles.
The illustrations were vivid and. Right and I loved the outline style and the drawing style.
October 12, 2019
This is a great picture book for young children who may be worried about any part of school, the story is straightforward and shows that kindness and friendship go a long way!
I also thought that the noted for discussion page was great parenta or teachers could use this as a springboard to find out why a child is worried but also let them know it is okay to feel like this once in a while.
Really would recommend this to parents / teachers of young children (KS1?)
I also thought that the noted for discussion page was great parenta or teachers could use this as a springboard to find out why a child is worried but also let them know it is okay to feel like this once in a while.
Really would recommend this to parents / teachers of young children (KS1?)
October 24, 2020
The Playground Problem explores the topic of anxiety with an empowering story and adorable illustrations. Ruby feels anxious about her show and tell presentation. But when she discovers that Joey is having a hard time on the playground, it's up to Ruby to use her superpower to cheer him up and also ease her own anxiety. It's such a cute book for students to understand what anxiety is, and how to deal with the emotional properly, and know it is okay to feel that way.
October 7, 2019
I loved the book, it was easy to read for all ages and the story line was easy to follow. I loved how it went from Ruby having anxiety over reading in front of her class and then it jumped into Ruby having empathy for Joey in his time of need and reaching out. Also, the talking points at the end were great for parents to have dialogue with their children!
December 16, 2019
I like the idea of this series. However, I think perhaps people without anxiety / social anxiety will think this book is more important than it actually is. Falls pretty short of addressing social anxiety. As someone with social anxiety, who had it way worse as a child, it's not very realistic to the disorder at all.
February 1, 2025
This book included both anxiety and friendship. Ruby was nervous about her show and tell and speaking in front of the class, but when she found Joey all alone looking sad she decided to to befriend him so he wasn't lonely. This act of kindness by Ruby helped take her mind off of her anxiety and also resulted in her and Joey finding each other. This book can help introduce a conversation on anxiety and this discussion can be furthered by information in the back of the book. This could be used for a SEL lesson on the importance of friendship or the emotion anxiety.
November 2, 2019
Absolutely loved this book and the message behind it. We don't suffer alone, others have anxiety as well. Accept each other as we are and care about one another. Younger school age children will learn from this one.
August 9, 2023
A realistic book about fear of public speaking and thinking what will go wrong inevitably going wrong. I liked that the main character befriended another student being bullied so it was like two values being taught within one. Don’t know how much my daughter grasped though.
October 6, 2019
Bibliotherapeutic
October 14, 2019
Very colourful and engaging. Would definitely help a child with anxiety learn about coping activities and even has tips at the end of the book and discussions you can have with your child.
August 9, 2022
Kurcze no nie wiem… można ją dobrze z dzieckiem omówić i wtedy najprawdopodobniej spełni swój cel, ale generalnie to 3,5 muszę to lepiej przemyśleć.
October 1, 2021
I thought this was an excellent book to helps children with anxiety issues to consider, relate to, and ultimately learn how to cope and interact with appropriately with other children. I feel that the illustrations in this picture book contain a diverse race of characters(students) that a lot of K-3 graders can connect with. It is realistic and describes the anxiety and bullying that a lot of children (especially children with disabilities) suffer with on a daily basis on "The Playground." Knowing now that I have a special education student to tutor this semester, will allow me to read this picture book to him, hoping to inspire, or make aware, or help him in some way. Tracy Alloway has a really good collection of (special education) books that will benefit me in my classroom and with all kinds of students with disabilities.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews