‘What and If – two powerful little words.’
Written by Clinical Psychologist Lynn Jenkins
“We are the bosses of our brains and can choose to think in ways that make us feel how we want to. I wanted to create a fun and empowering way to start conversations about the power words have over how we feel; to encourage children to think about ‘How do you want to feel? Which ending to your ‘what if…’ would you choose to achieve this outcome?’”
– Lynn Jenkins
Engages the ‘smart brain’
The ‘topsy-turvy’ nature of the different scenes engages a different part of the brain to the part that is dominant in anxiety.
“We are very familiar with the catastrophic endings to ‘what if’ thoughts, but why do those two little words have to end in yuckiness? I wanted to give kids and adults alternative endings that are fun and novel. And these qualities, i.e. humour and novelty, excite the ‘smart’ brain. When the smart brain is engaged, the ‘worry’ brain isn’t.”
– Lynn Jenkins
A perfect resource for little worriers
Young children, parents, carers, teachers and therapists alike will find methods to manage anxiety and to open conversations about worry in this playful and accessible tale. Showing children that their ‘what ifs’ can lead to feelings of fun, happiness and freedom is key in teaching them how we can change the way we feel simply by changing the way we choose to think.
Teacher’s Notes are available here
Lynn Jenkins is an experienced clinical psychologist, author and mother of three. In addition to writing What if…?, she has written five titles in the bestselling ‘Lessons of a LAC’ series: 
Kirrili Lonergan is a picture book illustrator and art therapist. She has a passion for storytelling through pictures and relates warmly to the needs of children through her former years working as a paediatric nurse. Kirrili is the co-creator of the ‘Lessons of a LAC’ educational sessions and is currently working on her ninth picture book. She is an active committee member for the CBCA Newcastle Sub-branch and a regular volunteer for Books4Outback.
