Hi, Worry. Bye, Worry!

Everyone worries sometimes, no matter how old, how smart, or how strong. And everyone can benefit from learning how to manage their worried feelings and thoughts and feel better. Part of the Little Laugh & Learn® series, Hi, Worry. Bye, Worry! offers children simple yet effective tools to cope with and work through worry, beginning with acknowledging worry and inviting it in―for a little while.

This book offers children a range of healthy, empowering worry-taming strategies:

• Get exercise and move their bodies.
• Take deep belly breaths.
• Make art and be creative.
• Talk to people they trust.
• Seek quiet time when they need it.

Worries come, and worries go. No matter how big or small children’s worries are, this book is an empathetic resource with a lighthearted tone and humorous illustrations.

Self-help, kid-style! Kids ages six to nine can tote these handy guides anywhere and boost their skills. With practical advice, silly jokes, fun illustrations, and a kid-centric point of view, these books are the go-to for help with everything, from triumphing over teasing to learning to be a fantastic friend to becoming a self-confidence superstar, and more!

Elizabeth Verdick has been writing books since 1997, the year her daughter was born. Her two children are the inspiration for nearly everything she writes. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth edited books for children and parents.

These days she writes books for babies, toddlers, teens, and every age in between. She especially loves creating new board books. The Happy Healthy Baby® series is designed to capture the interest of the littlest readers. Elizabeth’s Toddler Tools® series helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). In the Best Behavior® series, she helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.

Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn® series, which helps kids ages 8–13 get a handle on the social-emotional skills they’re developing throughout the elementary and middle school years. She’s also coauthor of The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (And Their Parents), which offers kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) their own comprehensive resource for both understanding their condition and finding tools to cope with the challenges they face every day.

Elizabeth lives and writes near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Olivia Rae (she/they) is the co-author of Hi, Worry. Bye, Worry!; she is a children’s librarian, yoga teacher, writer, and cat rescuer. Olivia's work centers inclusivity and mental wellness. At the library, she hosts music- and movement- focused storytimes that build community, promote body awareness and positivity, and highlight diverse stories. At the studio, they teach yoga classes for people of all abilities with a focus on meditation. In their free time, Olivia works on writing projects and keeps an eye out for cats who need help. This is their first book.  

Steve Mark is a freelance illustrator and a part-time puppeteer. He lives in Minnesota and is the father of three and the husband of one. Steve has illustrated many books for children, including the Little Laugh & Learn® series and all the books in the Laugh & Learn® series for older kids.