Umbrella Summer

Reach for this book when you notice your child has become hyper-vigilant or overly anxious about health and safety following a family loss or a stressful event. It is particularly healing for children who seem to be 'carrying the world on their shoulders' and need permission to enjoy life again without feeling like they are betraying a memory or inviting danger. Annie Richards is a ten-year-old girl who has become a self-taught medical expert after the sudden death of her brother, Jared. Her summer is spent avoiding bike rides, sun exposure, and anything she deems 'risky' until a new neighbor helps her see that living under a constant umbrella of fear is no way to experience the world. This is a gentle, secular, and deeply empathetic look at childhood grief and health anxiety for ages 8 to 12.