Why Are we Afraid? addresses one of our most basic instincts of fear, and describes why we are afraid. Fran Pintadera and Ana Sender thoughtfully explain why we experience fear and how we need fear to keep us safe.

I would have liked if the story focused more about the positive aspects of why we feel fear and how it keeps us from falling down dark holes or being bitten by dangerous creatures. However, while these topics weren't developed within the story the author(s) did add a few sections in the back discussing the scientific behavior of fear. Additionally, the reader can enjoy practicing a few activities in the back of the book to discuss their own experiences with fear.

The illustrations are beautifully drawn - successfully portraying whimsy and depth simultaneously. Very well done!

Why Are We Afraid? is a thoughtful and unique take on the theme of coping mechanisms within children's literature. With imaginative, fantastical illustrations and a color palette full of contrasting shades, this book explores the many meanings of fear and how they impact us. While many books about fear are aimed at younger audiences, this book may be best received by children ages 7 and up -- some of the illustrations may be frightening, but even more importantly, the text is complex and often describes fear in very abstract terms that may be difficult for little ones to grasp without a lot of support. An especially excellent aspect of this book is that Max seeks out his father for comfort, and his father demonstrates a great deal of emotional intelligence and responsiveness to Max's fear when describing how fear manifests. The additional materials in the back of the book may make for great discussion starters in the classroom or at home.

I’ve actually loved this book, from the images to the way the author expressed a complex emotion such as fear. “You could say we like playing with fear.
And why shouldn’t we? As one of our basic emotions, it’s part of who we are, so it’s normal that we want to explore it”.Being afraid it’s absolutely normal, as the book explain, and there’s no need to feel embarrassed or to see it in a negative light. “Some of our fears feel so powerful that they stop us in our tracks. Like a guiding lighthouse, they can warn us of the danger ahead.
Either way, Max, we always keep going”, that’s what it is,it’s the power that gives us the energy to keep going in life.Inspiring book,totally recommend

I have a soft spot for kids books, I love reading them and recommending them to the families that visit. This book was a homerun.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review.

This is a story exploring the reasons why we are afraid, which I'm sure will come as a huge shock to you based on the title. It was a simple telling, but really got the whole point across.

I really liked the illustrations. They were bright and dark and colorful and very imaginative. I get the impression that they harken back to Latin American tales as they reminded me a lot of Encanto.

I could probably read this book a few times, but I don't think I'd want to read it too often. Overall I give this book 3.7 out of 5 stars.

As a teacher, I love the messaging in this book. It tackles fears that all children face in a way that is whimsical and fun. The fun, scary illustrations definitely made for great conversations with my daughters. I love how the young protagonist tackles his fear within his fathers safety net.

Well written and lavishly illustrated, Why Are We Afraid was the best book I’ve read so far this year. Despite it being a children’s book, it touched on the very adult feelings of fear that children often feel and can’t understand. I adored this book, and got choked up while reading it to my daughter. As a parent of a child who struggles with anxiety, this book was a welcome reminder that everyone experiences fear in different ways and for different reasons. I loved the activities at the end of the book as well.

A little too scary in my opinion.! excellent idea but the graphics were too intense.. I would have liked it better if the graphics were friendlier .

While I like the premise behind the book and the idea of helping my child understand fear, this was a bit too much for my children’s age group. Small children are far too literal and won’t understand some of the points of this - “real monsters”. The illustration of the book is lovely. I would recommend this for an older age group - somewhere between little kids and pre-teens.

Some of our fears feel so powerful that they stop us in our tracks. Like a guiding lighthouse, they can warn us of the danger ahead. Either way, we always keep going.

All children have dealt with fear. Fear of the dark, people, trying new things, etc. This book about a little boy named Max has some of these fears. With the help of his father, Max names his fear and his father guides Max thru it. Our fears also can determine who we are and what we become. It is good to discuss with your children fears and how keeping those fears inside may destroy who we can become.

A special thank you to Kids Can Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

I am happy to see another book from this author, as I also enjoyed "Why Do We Cry?". This book tackles fear which can be a tricky topic with kids. Sometimes adults may not be sure if they should tell their children when they are afraid, but this book shows us the power of sharing our fears with people we love. They can help us feel safe and comforted. The art in this book is moody and cozy with lots of darker colors, which contrast with the candlelight that the main character's father puts on.

Kids and adults alike could benefit from this book. It has some wisdom that reminds me of the popular picture book "The boy, the fox, and the mole." I recommend this book to parents and teachers as a great conversation starter to discuss fear.

This one had the unfortunate task of being read digitally and I think it really hurt my ability to understand it and the illustrations. I think it's probably a really beautiful book if you can open up the pages and explore the illustrations etc. I love the message that everyone gets afraid but it's important and helpful, a great message for kids as they head through the scary parts of life.
Will definitely plan on checking this out from the library when it's available so I can give the illustrations the attention they deserve!

Oh em gee! I think this is my absolute favorite kids’ book I have seen lately!
The drawings are so, so, so unique! Absolutely gorgeous! I had to look up the artist’s name and her other works and I have to say I am absolutely, absolutely, and positively in love! I will be keeping an eye out for more of her work! Ana Sender’s drawings are exceptionally unique and her drawings set the mood for this book also.
The story is nice also! It feels like having a short conversation about fear but in a book.

A nice book that describes fear and how we all have fears to a childrens audience. The illustrations in the book were beautiful even if a little scary. Thanks so much Netgalley for the ARC.

Learning why we are afraid is always a hard topic to broach with children. This book was well done on the topic. The way there are different reasons to be afraid and each way is valid. The illustrations we well done. I like this particular illustrator's work.

While I loved the the concept and approach to discussing fear for a younger audience, the artwork does have scary elements to it that I feel will actually scare younger children as they are having it read to them, The artwork overall is beautifully done, it is the scary faces that would make me hold off on showing it to a younger child as opposed to an older one not as easily scared. That being said, the words used to describe fear as well as giving reasons why people would feel those feelings of fear were well done and I appreciate the message the story conveys.

This book beautifully illustrates the concept of fear for young children. It’s an abstract concept and I love the way this book explores it. I would definitely use this book in my classroom!

Lovely little book about fear! Love the illustrations and the message. Plus, some great additional information in the back!

Why Are We Afraid?
2.5 Stars

I loved the idea of addressing one's own fears while diving into this book. However, I couldn't get behind the execution and freaky art style. I found the artwork had no rhyme or reason to it, which is confusing. The creepy glowing eyes, awkward facial expression, and strange stuff, at times, were just scary. The use of bright colors I found abrasive, not soothing.

Throughout the book, illustrations depict evil eyes, snakes, animals, and strange costumes that could spark even more fear in a young child.

I appreciate how this book covers many common fears and suggestions for coping with our fears. But the number one reason why I wouldn't recommend this book, is because the artwork will probably give a toddler nightmares or new fears. Thank you, NetGalley and Kids Can Press, for an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you Netgalley for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

I chose this book as a preschool teacher thinking it might be a good inclusion when we are discussing emotions. I liked the depiction of fear being a black eggz the discussion that everyone has fears, and the different kind of fears there are. I also liked the information at the back of the book. Overall I liked the book but I did think two of the illustrations were more on the creepy side then I might feel comfortable with when dealing with a class of two and three year olds.