A Monster Named Zee takes the reader on a journey of learning to make friends with their anxiety. The main character, Lucas, displays the common somatic symptoms of anxiety that impact his everyday life. From stomach cramps, feeling like he is always going to fail because his mind is too clouded to think clearly, tingly sensations all over his hands, afraid to answer questions in class, fear of flying and public speaking, wanting to hide away, uncontrollable anger that appears to bubble up out of nowhere and feelings of worthlessness.
Rather than understanding the child's nervous system has become dysregulated due to an anxiety response, these somatic symptoms can be misunderstood, and a child is labeled as naughty or difficult. The child may be punished for their body reacting in the natural ways it does when it feels under threat.
A Monster Named Zee is a resource that will help parents and children understand how anxiety impacts their everyday lives. As grownups and children learn where anxiety shows up in the body, they will gain strategies they can implement to restore their nervous system to a state of calm.
A Monster Named Zee helps children learn to name and befriend their anxiety.
Note: This story is based on lived experience; Lucas is Australian. The spelling and language of the book follow suit.