Willow the Worrisome Whale
Willow the Worrisome Whale
Big Feelings, Brave Hearts — An Alphabet Collection for Kids
By Jessica Schoettle
Willow is a whale who thinks carefully about the future. She worries about storms, getting lost, and what might happen next. Willow’s mind likes to plan ahead, but sometimes her worries grow so big that they make it hard for her to feel calm and safe.
Even when the ocean is peaceful, Willow’s thoughts swirl like waves. Her body feels heavy, and her tummy feels tight. She wants to enjoy the calm water around her, but her worries feel louder than the quiet sea. With gentle guidance from a caring friend, Willow begins to learn that worry often tries to protect us — but it does not always tell the whole story.
As Willow practices grounding herself by noticing what is real and safe in the present moment, she discovers how breathing, awareness, and focusing on what is happening now can help calm her body and quiet her thoughts. Willow learns that worries may still visit, but they do not have to steer her path.
This meaningful story helps children learn:
• How to understand and manage anxious or worried thoughts
• Grounding and calming strategies for emotional regulation
• The difference between worries and present reality
• Confidence in handling uncertainty and anxiety
• Emotional awareness and self-soothing skills
• Social-emotional learning through relatable storytelling
Willow the Worrisome Whale is part of Big Feelings, Brave Hearts — An Alphabet Collection for Kids, a heart-centered series designed to introduce children to emotions, character strengths, and social-emotional skills through lovable animal characters and developmentally appropriate storytelling.
Each book in the series encourages meaningful conversations between children, parents, caregivers, and educators while supporting emotional growth for children ages 2–6.
Perfect for:
- Bedtime reading
- Preschool and early elementary social-emotional learning lessons
- Speech and emotional development support
- Classroom read-alouds
- Gifts for toddlers and young children
- Parents and educators teaching calming techniques, anxiety awareness, and emotional safety
Help your child discover how noticing the present moment can help quiet worries and bring a sense of calm and safety.
Willow is ready to show them how.