Adults think of childhood as a carefree time, but the truth is that children worry, and worry a lot, especially in our highly pressurized era. This book addresses children's worries with humor and imagination, as hilarious scenarios teach kids the use of perspective and the art of creative problem-solving.

As an only child until 11 years old, I had many lonely hours to fill. Whenever a dog lost his way or found himself without shelter, he would follow me home from school or from the park. It didn't seem polite to refuse a lost animal a meal and a warm place to sleep for the night.

But one night usually turned into two, and sometimes three. Just as we were beginning to be friends, just as I was growing accustomed to being greeted at the steps when I returned from school, with the wag of a tail, someone in the apartment would complain. Someone would tell the landlord.

The story was always the same. I would return home from school and my companion, my delightful pal would be gone. But I kept bringing strays home.

A lonely day was never quite as empty with a dog's nose nuzzling against my knee, begging for attention. "Some day I'm going to have as many animals as I want," I promised myself. Years later, when that some day arrived, I did. And now I would like to bring them into your life, as they came into mine.

"After a bout with cancer and becoming a widow, I found myself silent for more than a year, with nothing to say as a writer. Having previously written two dozen published books for children and young adults, I now thought I would never write again. It has been twelve years since I joined a support group so that I might be able to function.. Writing about my journey as a single woman and cancer survivor has helped me keep going. Every change in my new life soon became an essay, each victory or defeat a reason to dash to the computer and share the experience with someone who might benefit from my discoveries.. I am not the only one keeping it going in this book. Each week I meet with a dozen others who are keeping it going also. Most are over seventy years old and have survived health issues and personal life changes. All are choosing to write about them. In their writings, I find wisdom, humor, inspiration, frustration, and just plain good story telling. Each week we sit at a round table with notebooks and pens in hand. Each week we do not know what will be said or what ideas will be presented. Our writing adventure continues as it has for the past several years. We gain support and courage from each other as we travel down the road of unknowns. We invite you to join us." Harriet May Savitz is a contributor to fourteen Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Her book, "Run, Don't Walk," was made into an ABC Afterschool Special produced by Henry Winkler. Her essays appear in newspapers and magazines.

YOUR GRANDCHILDREN ARE READING HER.. "Is A Worry Worrying You?" (Tanglewood Press) Associated Press - One of seven titles chosen out of hundreds referred to as "New crop of kid's books doesn't shy away from tackling big ideas." Copley News Service - "Highly fun and thought-provoking, this worry-less book is a must for today's overstressed kids." NOW YOU CAN TOO. About Savitz's Essays: "Her uplifting essays deal with re-discovering life and its limitless possibilities. Through her insight, the reader is elevated to a new level of understanding. These essays hit home." Barbara Russell Chesser, Ph.D. Co-author; Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul (Messages From Somewhere ) From the Introduction: "I am an older citizen. What I say here, I have lived with all my heart. Please know I am not telling you to live the same way nor am I telling you my way is best. I am just sharing how I am trying to survive each day and improve myself as I do. Some thoughts you might think worthy. Others not. Some problems you might solve better than I. Know that I cheer you on." www.harrietmaysavitz.com

Seventeen-year-old Lou walks into his bedroom one day and decides he doesn't want to leave. With four years of college looming ahead, a world out of control, and his mom about to sell SeaView, the boarding house they own and live in, he wants to avoid life. In short, everything that is outside of his room is now the enemy. Lou shuts off his computer, unplugs his television, and puts his iPod in the attic. With nothing to listen to but an old radio from his grandmother, he stays locked in his room for weeks, refusing to see anyone, even his girlfriend, Betty Jo. One evening, Lou calls a radio talk show hosted by Big John, and introduces himself as Sidney-and his alter ego is born. Soon, ending "Sidney's" self-isolation becomes Big John's quest. The radio station holds a contest to find the best idea to lure Sidney out of his room; the winner gets a trip to Hawaii. As the radio audience becomes more familiar with Sidney's crusade, some cheer and others jeer. But even though Sidney tries to keep life out of his room, it manages to sneak in at the most unexpected moments.

"I have lived through a Depression, World War 11, a polio epidemic, life in the suburbs, activism, bra burning, a sexual revolution, cancer and widowhood. I have been with women who believed they belonged in the kitchen and women who left their husbands to get out of it. I had a mother who rarely said what she felt because women did not back then, and I determined to be different, and never shut my mouth. In these essays, I am sometimes angry, sad, joyful, excited, sensual, exploring and amazed. Be prepared for honesty and some soul searching. And remember that at my age, I can be even braver than ever before about what I dare to say or even what I dare to do."

They call Mrs. Beasley the cat lady because she takes in all kinds of stray cats and finds homes for them. Sometimes the cats get loose and run through people's yards. That makes her neighbors mad. No one but Frankie seems to see that Mrs. Beasley is doing a good thing by saving those lost animals. Then Mrs. Beasley gets sick, and she may lose all her cats. If anyone can help Mrs. Beasley and the cats that no one wanted, it has to be Frankie.

"This would be exciting and informative enough if it simply described the growth of organized sports for the handicapped or described sports careers of men and women who are paraplegics.and it does. What it adds is a great deal of information about attitudes toward the handicapped.and facts about their capabilities." -Bulletin Center for Children's Books "It is a story of hope for the newly injured and their families as one reads of the accomplishment of others." -Catholic Library World "The history of wheelchair sports in the U.S. is well told in "Wheelchair Champions."" -Interracial Books for Children

Skip loves swimming in the ocean. It's the perfect place to sort things out. Since his father moved away, he and his mom have been taking care of their big old boardinghouse alone. A whole summer of changing light bulbs and running errands for the tourists.

Then skip meets swimmer. The big friendly dog swims with him every morning. Swimmer doesn't have an owner and Skip wants him. He's the only friend Skip has had all summer. But Skip can't take Swimmer home because his mom won't let him have a pet at the house. One thing is certain, though. Skip is not going to desert his dog. He needs Swimmer just as much as Swimmer needs him.

"The book shows how, for those who are blind, attitudes about blindness play an important part in the success of everything in life. Laurie has to work through her own attitudes about herself when others treat her differently because she is blind. ...I plan to give each of my nieces a copy of the book for Christmas. It will help the younger members of our family grow up with a better philosophy about blind people."
--Peggy Chong - "Minnesota Bulletin"- a quarterly publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
Reprinted in "Future Reflections," The National Federation of the Blind Magazine for Parents of Blind Children

"Are you afraid?" Making friends isn't easy, Allan realizes, especially when you're the new kid in town. Since moving to Ocean View, Allan has spent most of his time alone, out at Silver Lake, watching the geese and the beautiful, graceful white ducks he calls snowbirds. So Allan is grateful when Tony and Pete let him hang out with them. Until the day they start throwing rocks at the birds, and daring Allan to hit one. "What are you, afraid?" they tease. "Maybe we just won't call you anymore. You're scared to do anything."

Allan wants to belong, but will he have to attack the birds to prove himself? And is it worth it?