Girl and Rabbit are my original characters. They both love carrots, singing songs, and going on adventures, so naturally, they are the best of friends. For Girl and Rabbit, every day is an adventure where they are constantly learning something new - whether while traveling into tiny worlds or to outer space, going on a picnic, or just trying to live the best lives that they can.
These two are featured in most of my illustrations and designs, products, and picture book zines, which are available on the Under the tree etsy store. You can also follow Girl and Rabbit's day-to-day on my Instagram account.
Percy is a Perfectionist is an A5 picture book aimed at 7 to 12-year-old children who struggle with perfectionism. It follows the story of Percy, a high-achieving and intelligent little creature who feels the need to always be perfect, as they prepare for a class presentation. Included in the story are a number of activities and exercises for managing feelings of anxiety and perfectionism.
Below are the A4-sized PDF worksheet versions of these activities, that can be freely downloaded for multiple use or if your child doesn't want to write directly into their physical book. There is also a list of references & resources for further information about the activities.
Thank you for your visit!
WORKSHEETS
RESOURCES & REFERENCES
BODY MAPPING
References
Gastaldo, D., Magalhães, L., Carrasco, C., and Davy, C. (2012). Body-Map Storytelling as Research: Methodological considerations for telling the stories of undocumented workers through body mapping. Retrieved from: http://www.migrationhealth.ca/undocumented-workers-ontario/body-mapping.
Tewson, A., Vaughan, P., De Jager, A., and Boydell, K. (2016). Body Mapping Anxiety A Guide for High School Students. Retrieved from: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/4-body-mapping-anxiety-guide_highschool.pdf
Hughes, E. G., and da Silva, A. M. (2011). A pilot study assessing art therapy as a mental health intervention for subfertile women. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figure1-Body-mapping-a-technique-used-to-identify-and-position-important-and-relevant_fig3_49767773
BOX BREATHING
Resources
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Watch a calming Box Breathing visualiser that guides you as you breathe in and out here.
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Watch a Box Breathing video that guides children as they breathe in and out here.
References
Boutros, N. (2022). Box Breathing: Definition, Techniques & How to Do It. Retrieved from: https://www.berkeley
wellbeing.com/box-breathing.html
Delgado, C. (2021). Overcome stress and anxiety with box breathing — the simple breathing exercise that only takes 16 seconds. Retrieved from: https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/box-breathing
5-4-3-2-1
Resources
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Watch a video that explains the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise in simple terms and shows an example of how to do it here.
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Read further information on how the 5-4-3-2-1 method works here.
References
The Partnership in Education. (2021). 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise. Retrieved from: https://www.thepartnership
ineducation.com/resources/5-4-3-2-1-grounding-exercise
DETECTIVE THINKING
Resources
References
Macquarie University. (2021). Cool Kids Online. Retrieved from: https://www.mq.edu.au/research/research-centres-groups-and-facilities/healthy-people/centres/centre-for-emotional-health-ceh/centre-for-emotional-health-clinic/programs-for-children-and-teenagers/online-treatment-accordions/cool-kids-online
Child Mags. (2022). Helping Children Tackle Anxiety with this Treatment Program. Retrieved from: https://www.childmags.com.au/a-program-that-helps-kids-tackle-anxiety/
DRAWING CHALLENGES
References
Case, C., & Dalley, T. (2014). The Handbook of Art Therapy. Taylor & Francis Ltd.
COMFORT BOX
Resources
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Read further information on what you can put in your Comfort or Self-Soothe box here.
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Watch a video on Self-Soothe boxes here.
References
Young Minds. (2019). How to make a self-soothe box. Retrieved from: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/blog/how-to-make-a-self-soothe-box/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi there, my name is Hana and I'm the author of Percy is a Perfectionist. I'm an illustrator and designer with a background in psychology. I created this book because I've been an anxious perfectionist for as long as I can remember, and I would have really benefitted from a book like this when I was a child - a book that told me that how I was feeling was valid and normal, and gave me some practical advice on how to manage my anxieties.
Even as an adult, I still exist alongside an anxious little Percy who worries about things big and small, but I'm doing my best to treat Percy and myself with kindness as we navigate the challenges of life. I hope you also remember to be kind to yourself and acknowledge that you're doing the best that you can (even when it doesn't feel that way).
For more information about me, you can visit my About page, and to see more of my work, please visit my Instagram or Portfolio page.