One girl’s way to cope with anxiety is a tribute to the power of art.
On the night before the first day of school, a pack of stray dogs moves into Molly’s head. They are friendly, but a bit wild. They scamper through her thoughts, yap at the door to her dreams, and scratch at her brain, begging to be let out. So Molly starts to draw them. When Molly draws dogs, she feels better - but not everyone can see the value of her strange habit. Her teacher tells her to focus. A special tutor urges her to concentrate. But Molly can’t erase the dogs, even if she wants to. As her anxiety peaks, Molly runs away. Once she is found, safe and sound, people around Molly realize the protective power of her pack and how the dogs help tame her troubled feelings. Inspired by the Japanese folktale, The Boy Who Drew Cats, this story celebrates the healing powers of art and imagination while touching on important issues of anxiety, mental health, and ways to cope with emotions. AGES: 4 to 8 AUTHOR: Deborah Kerbel is the author of ten books for young adult, middle grade, and primary readers. She lives and writes in Thornhill, Ontario, with her husband, their two book-loving teens, and a rescue schnoodle named Freddie. SELLING POINTS: . Gently handles the topic of anxiety . Highlights the value of imagination and art