Don't Panic, Annika! reviews, interviews and articles

Reviews

Parents in Touch

"a reassuring read that your child will relate to and love"

 

'Annika is a panicker.' And so are lots of children, so this will be the perfect story for you if you have a child who panics - and many of them do on occasion. her family all rally round with ideas to help her, but still she panics...until one day, there is a real emergency and Annika copes brilliantly bu applying all the skills she has learnt. A lesson for us all perhaps? Annika is a really appealing character and she is beautifully illustrated by Jennifer E Morris. A reassuring read that your child will relate to and love.

 

 

Books for Keeps

"a fun read aloud... full of life"

 

Children often get into tricky situations that make them feel panicky and so it is with Annika. Her understanding family help her to calm down and find a solution when her toy Moose falls into the pond, and also when her zip gets stuck and she’s sure she’s going to miss the party. But when Annika is involved in a real emergency, she is the one who thinks things through and sorts them out on her own. Lots of repetition make this a fun read aloud, and the illustrations are jolly and full of life.

 

Primary Times

"the rhythmic text... and imaginative illustrations make for a lovely read"

 

For all those little panickers out there: see how Annika learns to cope. The rhythmic text makes it fun to read aloud, and the imaginative illustrations make for a lovely read.


Carousel

"a great story to encourage independence and confidence"

 

Carousel -a second review

"a funny, but realistic story about the things that small children... worry about"


Any child, or parent, who is prone to needless panicking, will benefit from reading Don’t Panic Annika. Annika can’t help getting in a flap. She panics at the slightest thing e.g. getting her zip stuck on the way to a party or losing her favourite toy (which she does regularly). Her family try various methods to help calm her down “count to ten, really slowly” etc, but Annika still panics. Until one day when something terrible happens and everyone else starts to panic, while Annika remains calm. This is a funny, but realistic story about the things that small children find to worry about. Young children will easily be able to follow the story. Especially with the bright and amusing illustrations which perfectly complement the text. However, parents may wish to initially share the book with their child to help emphasise the message of what to do when things don’t run smoothly. With key words and phrases repeated throughout, Don’t Panic Annika is ideal for boys and girls who are learning to read alone. 
Jane Hall

 

Interviews

 

 

Banana Peelin' Thursdays with Elizabeth Stevens Omslor-a blog post on Slip-ups along the road to publication of Don't Panic, Annika!

 

High Five Interview with Christie Wright Wild-answering questions about books, writing and Don't Panic, Annika!

 

Listen to my Stories From the Web Podcast interview

The Unstoppable Maggie McGee

 

“… I love this story! It’s beautifully told and I love the way it shows the power of the imagination to take you wherever you want to go….a great story [which] has something to say to all children…”

Malorie Blackman, Children’s Laureate 2013-2015 

 

Don't Panic, Annika!

 

“a reassuring read that your child will relate to and love” Parents in Touch

 

“a fun read aloud… full of life” Books for Keeps

 

“the rhythmic text… and the imaginative illustrations make for a lovely read”           Primary Times

 

“a great story to encourage independence and confidence … ” Carousel