VBTC Pit Stop Review of What Are You Afraid Of by Kiki Howell

What Are You Afraid Of? - A Children's Picture Book

While this book is set during Halloween, it's really a book which addresses the issue of dealing with a child's fears and is meant to be read during any season by any child dealing with any fear. The setting came about because the author's dog is actually afraid of children in costumes on Halloween, and the idea seemed just funny enough an approach to work with this very important subject. Please read the Note from the Author to find out more about why this book was written. “Why does the night have to be so dark?” the big dog named Drake gave a low bark. 

Everyone has fears, even a big dog like Drake. In fact, the big dog named Drake is afraid of the children in costumes on Halloween. He really only likes the candy his boy drops.

Lucky for Drake, the old dog named Zoe is there to help him forget his fears with a fun game.
Drake and Zoe can’t wait for you to play along. 


My Review:


Drake is scared because it's Halloween and all the decorations and costumes. Zoe helps him though by creating a fun game to overcome his fears. In this game, Zoe helps Drake to find a way to make the things he fears not as frightening. As Halloween passes, Drake isn't as afraid anymore.


I thought this was a great children's book and definitely not just for Halloween. Howell did an excellent job in describing the game making it easy for kids to find a way to overcome their fears. Many children have fears, whether it's being afraid of the dark or afraid of clowns, Howell teaches them to instead of being afraid, to face their fears head on by creating funny images in their mind instead of focusing on the scary things.


I would recommend this book for any child dealing with how to face their fear, no matter what it is.

Purchase in print at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. 

Ever since she was young, Kiki Howell has loved to listen to a well-woven tale with real characters, inspired plots, and delightful resolutions. Kiki could spend hours lost in a book, and soon she knew that creating lives, loves, and losses with just words had to be the greatest thing that she could do. To that end, she pursued her study of literature and writing, earning a bachelor’s degree in English. She then followed in a Master’s program in Creative Writing.

 

“After a long break having my boys, I finally just had to write again. And, as soon as I gave the stories the space, they entered it. It’s both awesome and humbling to find the words in my mind become characters on a page and create their lives.”

She has now had over twenty stories published between seven different small presses.  She could not be more thrilled or grateful to see her creations polished and out in the real world. Please look around. Although, a bit of caution, most of her stories tend to hang out on the graphically sexy side of town.

In May, 2011, Kiki was chosen as an Ohioana Book Festival author for her novel,Torn Asunder. 

Kiki resides in the Midwest with her incredibly handsome and talented, singer/songwriter husband and two children. When she is not writing, she is spending time with her family, reading, baking or knitting.

Her biggest dream is to have a novel she writes be made into a movie that her husband creates the soundtrack for, and then cruise to Alaska with her family on the money they make.

www.kikihowell.com

Giveaway:

Kiki is offering a grand prize giveaway for anyone that comments during her tour. One randomly drawn commenter from her entire tour will have a chance to win a bag with Drake & Zoe's picture chock full of some great prizes. You can follow Kiki's tour HERE, and don't forget to leave a comment here for a chance to win. Not mandatory, but if you wouldn't mind a follow of the blog too, it'd be greatly appreciated.