In Lawrence J. Cohen’s book, The Opposite of Worry, he describes the “Second Chicken” effect. If a baby chicken gets scared by a sudden noise or movement, it will freeze in place and look for a second chicken. If that second chicken is happily pecking and scratching at the dirt, the baby chicken will unfreeze and continue to peck and scratch and go about its business. If there is no second chicken, the baby chicken will remain paralyzed with fear.  

Anxiety, worry, and fear loom like a large shadow. Children look to others to know how to react. Educators are the second chickens. They are leading the way in classrooms, libraries, school cafeterias, and everywhere students look for reassurance and redirection.

Sharing books with resilient characters is another way to help students move forward. These books show that even during difficult and dark times, there are ways to keep learning, growing, and engaging with others.