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Ned Gets Worried by Suzi Lewis-Barned

Jennifer Donald Jennifer Donald

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    • Ned Gets Worried

    Score

    9/10

    Price as reviewed:

    £6.50 paperback

    Author: Suzi Lewis-Barned
    Illustrator: Ursula Lewis-Barned
    Published: 2020
    Available as paperback

    View now at amazon.co.uk

    About Ned Gets Worried

    Ned the pony is worried. He worries about everything. Sometimes he wakes up and he doesn’t even know why he’s worried, he just is. Then he meets Valiant, his big, strong friend. Valiant used to be a police horse in the big city and he shows Ned how to manage his anxieties. This picture book, written by Suzi Lewis-Barned and illustrated by Ursula Lewis-Barned, gives children some tools to manage their worries.

    Review

    Ned Gets Worried is a charming story with a gentle message about children’s natural anxieties explored through the eyes of a pony and a horse. We join the adorable Ned in his field and soon discover the little chestnut pony’s worries – litter, noises, dogs and even the fear that he might stand on the toes of the children who come to stroke him.

    It’s enough to pull at your heart strings. But Ned even wakes up sometimes “and doesn’t even know why he’s worried” – and this is where the skilled author’s insightfulness really comes to the fore. When the older, more streetwise police horse Valiant comes to Ned’s rescue and gently guides him through his fears, allowing him to explore and deal with his emotions, we join him on a heartwarming journey, discovering that things really aren’t that scary after all.

    In the end, it becomes Ned’s turn to come to the aid of his new mentor Valiant, resulting in a touching and satisfying ending to this delightful tale, which is vividly brought to life by the exquisite drawings that illustrate it.

    Verdict

    I’ve now read this book dozens of times with my young son, who enjoys the story tremendously on face value, but dig a bit deeper and it’s a great catalyst for discussing childhood fears and anxieties with little ones. A lovely story to have on the shelf.

    View now at amazon.co.uk

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    Jennifer Donald
    Jennifer Donald

    H&H showjumping editor
    Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
    Jennifer Donald

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