Social stories are so helpful for children. This book helps identify a child’s anxiety and allows them to see how to successfully process through these feelings. Highly recommend for any elementary age student struggling with anxiety.

I can relate to Ruby, as I am sure many people can. It can be such a challenge to fight through anxiety even in our day to day lives where simple tasks can make us panic. The way she was able to overcome and work through her anxieties was great. I thought it was really great how she reached out to Joey knowing her needed someone. Together they created positivity and lifted one another up.

What a great book to show kids that they are not alone in their struggles.

The illustrations were vivid and. Right and I loved the outline style and the drawing style.

This series is a great way to teach children to accept differences. The book focuses on the strengths of those with anxiety, rather than the weaknesses.

This picture book story is one that children who experience anxiety will relate to. It tells the story of Ruby who is quite anxious about doing her show-and-tell at school. Her fears are realized when she has issues with her presentation. What happens after this? That is the heart of the story.

Young readers/listeners will watch as Ruby re-groups. They will see Ruby reach out to another child and how this helps her to cope, helps another child and leads to a friendship. At the end of the book, there are pointers for adults and questions for class discussion.

All in all, this book may help to de-stigmatize issues for a child you know.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Playground Problem is a really lovely story about a young girl called Ruby who is anxious about her show and tell in front of the class but soon discovers some comfort in a friend that shows she's not the only one with worries.

I think this is a fantastic book as it shows anxiety in such an easy to understand way even for the Pre-School children, they may not completely understand that she's anxious but they can see that she's worried and needs a friend and this is a lovely way to show the children how they might be able to help someone who's anxious or worried. I like how we get to see Ruby as she goes through the day, starting off with things going wrong in her eyes, to a more comfortable child nearer the end as this allows the children to understand better how Ruby is feeling.

Ruby is a great character as she is relatable for some children but even for the more confident children it is good to show them that everyone is different and it's brilliant that Ruby doesn't give up but finds a way to cope so she can succeed in her task of the show and tell. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous and the children enjoyed watching Ruby as she spent her day at school and they were great to show how Ruby was feeling.

At the end of the story their are some notes and tips for parents and teachers which I think is fantastic as it's a great way to better understand how as adults, we can help children with anxiety and get a better understanding. This is a brilliant story which shows very well how a child might feel anxiety that is great for even younger children!

The Playground Problem is a great book to read to kids about dealing with anxiety. This book is about a little girl who is feeling anxious about show and tell. Then at recess she plays with a little boy who is lonely. She works through her anxiety.

This is a great book to read to your kids as it promotes talking about anxiety. There are talking points at the end of the book that you can use to talk to your kids. I highly recommend this book!

Very colourful and engaging. Would definitely help a child with anxiety learn about coping activities and even has tips at the end of the book and discussions you can have with your child.

This is a great picture book for young children who may be worried about any part of school, the story is straightforward and shows that kindness and friendship go a long way!

I also thought that the noted for discussion page was great parenta or teachers could use this as a springboard to find out why a child is worried but also let them know it is okay to feel like this once in a while.

Really would recommend this to parents / teachers of young children (KS1?)

This is a fantastic book to talk about anxiety in the classroom and making new friends. Ruby has been practicing her speech for show and tell, but once it’s time she freezes up. She begins to practice her speech again and sees Joey sitting by himself. She goes to speak to him and this sparks a friendship.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.

The Playground Problem is about a little girl who feels worried and anxious about doing her show and tell to her class. She finds a kindred spirit with another child in the class during playtime who is lonely and sad and they cheer each other up and become friends.
This was a lovely tale that I think children with social anxiety will especially relate to.

At the end of the story there are pointers and tips for both teachers and parents which are quite useful too, especially to those who are experiencing this of their child for the first time.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series of books soon.

*received by netgalley for honest review* I REALLY loved this book! This book is great for so many reasons and I love that this book is simple but detailed enough for a large range of kids to understand, I especially love the extras in the back of this book! helpful for kids and adults.

Absolutely loved this book and the message behind it. We don't suffer alone, others have anxiety as well. Accept each other as we are and care about one another. Younger school age children will learn from this one.

The playground problem has it's roots in a problem that abounds across the nation. Childhood anxiety is prevalent and with these books, teachers can share the brave ways kids can help themselves and others.