Explaining Addiction For Kids


Children - Social Issues
48 Pages
Reviewed on 04/08/2016
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite

Explaining Addiction For Kids by Tracy Bryan is a short and colorful book that describes the difference between healthy, balanced life styles and how this can change into less helpful and unhealthy behavior. The author explains this by looking first of all at eating. Eating treats such as sweets, chocolate etc on occasions is fine and enjoyable, but having too much of these foods is not good for us, especially for children’s growing bodies. Doing something in “moderation” is explained, and the need to ensure we have a balance between work and play. Diabetes, alcohol and drug addiction are also introduced in a simple way. At the end of the book is a lovely meditation for children and a useful list of further resources.

I felt that Explaining Addiction For Kids would be a very useful book to share with a child who has problems with unhealthy eating or children who have a parent or other close person who is struggling with an addiction of some kind. Because the book introduces the issue of addiction in a fairly broad and gentle way, it could help children understand how unhealthy and problematic behaviors might begin. All children will see how an addiction to sweets might occur, for example. I love the meditation at the end of the book and, again, this would be ideal for talking through with a child who has anxiety issues.

Tracy Bryan has added delightfully bright and colorful photographs throughout her book and these make good talking and discussion prompts too. There is plenty of scope for discussing and considering the messages in the book, perhaps making it handy for school projects on health and self-care. In addition, I can also see counselors or teachers working with children and families finding this book useful.