Abstract

Have you ever felt a sense of dread and worry creeping over you?

That might be the Panicosaurus coming out to play…

Sometimes the Panicosaurus tricks Mabel's brain into panicking about certain challenges, such as walking past a big dog on the street or when her favourite teacher is not at school. With the help of Smartosaurus, who lets her know there is really nothing to be afraid of, Mabel discovers different ways to manage Panicosaurus, and defeat the challenges he creates for her.

This fun, easy-to-read and fully illustrated storybook will inspire children who experience anxiety, and encourage them to banish their own Panicosauruses with help from Mabel's strategies. Parents and carers will like the helpful introduction, explaining anxiety in children, and the list of techniques for lessening anxiety at the end of the book.

An essential book for all children. It offers children an insightful look into emotions and what to do when you feel your 'panicosaurus'. For educators and families it arms you with strategies for success. A much loved book for all.
Sue Larkey, Autism Spectrum specialist, teacher and author of Making it a Success and Practical Sensory Programmes, New South Wales, Australia
The Panicosaurus cleverly explaing how the brain works to produce anxiety and ways in children can take control of their emotions.
Autism eye
This delightful book which has the capacity to help many children with their anxiety, including those with Asperger Syndrome... This colourful, fun storybook helps to explain what is happening to a child when they feel anxious... I would highly recommend this book to any parent or professional with a child suffering with anxiety. I have used it with many of my clients and have been impressed with its impact.
Wellbeing Mentor
K. I. Al-Ghani is a special educational needs teacher who has worked for more than 35 years in the field of education. She is currently a specialist teacher for inclusion support and is involved with training professionals, students and parents in aspects of ASD. As an author and a mother of a son with ASD, she has spent the last 25 years researching the enigma that is autism. Haitham Al-Ghani is 27 years of age. He earned a triple distinction in multimedia studies and was the 2007 winner of the Vincent Lines Award for creative excellence. Haitham is an author, cartoon animator and the illustrator of many children's books.
This is a fantastic book... The strategies discussed are therapeutically sound.
Youth in Mind
...wonderfully thought-out creatures... The pictures are glorious - full of colour and fun and adding greatly to the imaginative text.
Healthy Books
The Panicosaurus is a delightful book which cleverly explains to children how the brain works to produce anxiety and ways they can manage and take control of their own level of anxiety. The illustrations are great and the storyline and simple analogies used to explain the parts of the brain vying for control of the body are wonderfully suited to the level of young children with Asperger's syndrome. I read this with my six-year-old once and she is already far less afraid of the dark based on her newfound understanding of how the Panicosaurus in her brain works to make her anxious and how she can fight back.
Hunter Manasco, Assistant Professor, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Misericordia University, Pennsylvania and author of An Exceptional Children's Guide to Touch: Teaching Social and Physical Boundaries to Kids
This book is masterful in its simplicity. It approached the experience of anxiety and its eventual undoing in such a heartfelt, practical and concrete manner that parents and their children will read it and find a cast of characters they will consider their new best friends. Truly wonderful.
Brian R. King, clinical social worker, consultant on the autism spectrum and author of Strategies for Building Successful Relationships with People on the Autism Spectrum: Let's Relate

This is an excellent tool for parents and teachers to help explain what happens to our bodies when we feel anxious, with strategies to help the child alleviate anxiety.
It's an easy read...There are also lovely colourful illustrations to accompany the story.
I really enjoyed reading this and would definitely use it with any child who is struggling with these issues.

Alison Walters, AuKids readers’ panel
AuKids magazine, Summer 2014, Issue 24