This is a very lovely book which will help you deal with taking a test anxiety and other anxiety, for that matter. The comparison to putting on a school play is helful and the book is well written and illustrated. It is a therapeutic book, but it is easily understood and it gives you steps to take to make your life better and less anxious. Winner.

In “Bravo, Jalen!”, Ashley Bartley explores a common anxiety faced by many students of all ages: test anxiety.

By comparing taking a test with performing on stage, Bartley was able to compare something that may be a new concept for kids (studying and preparing for a test) with something they may be familiar with (performing a bit or act for others). I would have liked to have seen test preparation compared to a few other concepts outside of theater as not all children may be familiar with the work that goes into preparing for a play, especially if they have yet to have the opportunity to take part in a play.

The illustrations paired well with the story and helped provide a visual element of what test anxiety feels like that will resonate with young readers, particularly those who may just be entering school and facing exams for the first time.

The inclusion of the tips for educators and parents at the end of the book was also a fun and insightful surprise, and personally, I am eager to utilize this information when it comes time for my children to begin school.

Overall, this story did a beautiful job seamlessly blending story and tips into one cohesive, fun guide that is sure to resonate with school age children.