The book did a good job of describing the thoughts and obstacles that come with anxiety. Additionally, the underlying belief system and trusting God with your thoughts was clearly laid out in the book. I may have missed this was a faith based book and while I connected and enjoyed it, I would just make sure it's clear to the reader. The illustration and the colors keep the book interesting and will catch the attention of the little ones this book is read to. The content was not too childish that this could not be used with adolescents.

I loved this on so many levels. I love how practically it addresses and teaches children. It’s also a great reminder for us adults too. The story is a straightforward and concise reminder of how to face our emotions. Lastly, the illustration are colorful and adorable.

Thankyou for this ARC copy. I've seen some of Jennie's work before so when I saw this book, I thought of my own child and knew I had to request to read it. This book contains a few nice and simple strategies that are explained in a child friendly and easy to understand way. The illustrations are aimed at younger children but the information explained in the way it is can still be useful for some slightly older children and even adults can take note of the strategies while they're reading it to their kids. I will post a review onto Amazon and Goodreads when it's published

This book is such a breath of fresh air for a parent of a kiddo with anxiety, who also struggles with it myself. The explanations and examples are presented in a way that even a young child can understand. The book provides those but also actions and strategies that can greatly help the child to make progress and hopefully overcome that anxiety. I personally appreciate the ties to the Bible and relationship with God, however this book would still be appropriate and helpful for a family who is not religious. I wish this book was around when my child with anxiety was younger, as I do think it is most appropriate for kids ages 8 and younger. I will still be reading it to him, even if he thinks he's too big! The illustrations and pictures are beautiful and I love the bright colors and detailed images. These are eye catching and gives the reader lots to take in on each page without being overwhelming. 5 stars from me for this super helpful and enjoyable book! Thank you to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson for this ARC.

Lovely illustrations, clear advice for children about how to respond to emotions of all kinds. Direct religious references (I should have expected this seeing the author's name, but forgot!)

I didn't ask for this. Why must people "sneak in" religious ideas into books that are seemingly unrelated to religion?? I went into reading this book thinking that it would be about how to manage thoughts that are created by anxiety. I was mostly right, but then the word came up: the big G. I totally agreed with the book when it said "you are in control of your own mind". This is great! But, then why bring in that guy? You give yourself control, no one else. Kind of dumb, in my opinion. Removing the religious tone of the book would really help push the message further, and it doesn't throw off readers that aren't Christian. For readers like myself, the religion makes the other (good) points of the book not matter as much. However, if you are really dead-set on including it, make that apparent in the title. Please. Lastly, the thing I liked most about this book were the drawings. They were so detailed and beautiful, making the book feel joyful and whimsical. Kudos to the illustrator.

This is such a beautifully illustrated book to help kids navigate the difficult emotions such as fear and anxiety. Beautiful illustrations, short and beautiful words easy for the kids to follow through. Also I loved that it's not very preachy and also advises the parents from the introduction to the parents:

"Sometimes anxiety, depression, or the effects of trauma are beyond our control. Please read these words with great compassion. Sometimes we need more help than redirection! Praise God for the help of counselors and doctors."

It's definitely important to add these but if you feel your child needs professional help, do not shy away from it. Thank you netgalley, author, illustrator and the publishers for the review copy in exchange for my honest review.

While I am not Christian I can appreciate the sentiment behind the book. I can appreciate how it works things in a way that smaller children can understand. My non-religious 8 year old was able to take the book and have a wonderful knowledgeable conversation about her feelings and explain how she feels regarding God and life and how life sometimes makes her feel very small. I'd say it is geared towards older children around 8+ but do think parents and children can benefit from the book, including the non-religious parents and children.

This bright, colorful picture book teaches kids about ways they can deal with their thoughts. The author writes from a Christian perspective, encouraging kids that God designed their brains and their bodies, and that it's possible for them to "take every thought captive" through various physical and mental exercises. The author describes these activities in simple, kid-friendly ways, and the illustrations show kids doing these things.

This book shares simple, practical advice for dealing with anxiety and negative thinking patterns, and I especially appreciate the author's note at the beginning, which acknowledges that some issues are more complex, and that trauma and severe mental health issues may require additional interventions. This book won't be sufficient for everyone, and I love that the author mentions this up front, but it can be very helpful for kids who need support in responding to fears, mean and negative thoughts, and harmful beliefs.

Another book I will be adding to my classroom when it releases! I love everything Jennie Allen writes and this is the kind of story I needed to read when I was a child.

I received an ARC of this children's book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The pictures in this book are well done and the text would be helpful to a child who needs it.

Jennie Allen, known for her work Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts, has taken her research and created a child friendly accessible book on how to manage one’s thoughts. Through rhyming words and playful, imaginative drawings this book teaches kids that God created their amazing brains with a purpose and that they have the power to take their thoughts captive and use them for good vs. letting the whirly, swirly, thoughts rein. Both adults and children will be equipped to better talk about caring for one’s mental well being with Allen’s latest resource!

This vibrant picture book is full of information that is accessible and necessary in todays world, where children struggle with anxieties.
The only issue I have found is the references to Jesus and the Bible. While Faith is an important part of the authors message there are kids out there who will not get to hear the helpful tips in this book on how to deal with these whirly swirly thoughts because of those references.
I would love to see a non-denominational version of this book that could be shared with any child struggling with anxiety.

This book is a great resource to help parents equip young children with anxiety. Through bright illustrations and lyrical prose, Allen teaches kids to talk about their thoughts, move their bodies, and practice gratitude. We don't have to stay in our negative thought patterns, but can take every thought captive with God's help.

However, I think that in some ways this book is a missed opportunity to teach kids about what the Bible says regarding our minds. While it does mention "taking every thought captive", there are so many other passages that talk about our thoughts and mind (armour of God, think about these things, mind of Christ, etc.), and I think that this book could have benefited from a few more lines of Scripture.

Overall, this is an engaging, practical book that would be a great tool for parents and educators.

A big thank you to Net Galley and Tommy Nelson for sharing a digital review copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Great book to teach our kids how to handle their emotions and all the thoughts going through their heads. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This book was such a great way to describe anxiety to such a young audience. I have loved to see what comes for children’s books. I have such a diverse school that we can’t continue to purchase a bunch of religious books, but I love recommending these things for students that I know are Christian!

Thank you for granting me access to this ARC!

A cute book about navigating emotions and provoking meaningful conversations with your child. Fun, vibrant illustrations.

This is a fun, preciously illustrated book that helps kids figure out what to do with their thoughts, specifically their anxious thoughts. Jennie Allen makes it known to kids that God designed our brain and it is filled with all kinds of thoughts. She teaches kids in a practical way how they can take captive their thoughts and get rid of those whirly, swirly thoughts. This book would be a great addition to a home or classroom library and is one that can be read over and over again.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I recently read What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts by Jennie Allen with my kids, and it was such a meaningful and engaging experience, especially for my 6-year-old. The book is all about helping children understand that they have control over their thoughts—even the scary, anxious, or mean ones that sometimes pop into their heads. With whimsical illustrations by Nadia Gunawan and a message rooted in biblical truth, the book teaches kids that God created their amazing brains with a purpose and that they have the power to take their thoughts captive and use them for good. My 6-year-old was immediately drawn to the colorful, playful artwork, but it was the message that really stuck with him.

What I loved most was how the book made such a big concept—managing your thoughts—feel accessible and even fun for young kids. My 6-year-old has been going through a phase where he gets stuck on worries or negative thoughts, and this book gave him a tangible way to think about those “whirly, swirly” feelings. He loved the idea of being the “boss” of his thoughts and would excitedly tell me, “I’m not going to let the mean thoughts stay in my head!” It was amazing to see him grasp such an important life skill in a way that felt empowering rather than overwhelming. The book also sparked some great conversations about how God wants to help us use our thoughts for good, which was a beautiful way to connect faith with everyday struggles.

✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The message in Jennie Allen’s new children’s book, What To Do With Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts, is clear, concise and beautiful, but paired with the gorgeous illustrations, this book is truly wonderful. Anyone who loves a child will want to share this book with them. Children need to know that their thoughts are always ok, and reminding them of God’s endless and unconditional love always helps.