FRee Educator/family resource library

Quieting Hazel's Heart

"Quieting Hazel's Heart" is a delightful and invaluable resource for young children and their parents alike. Kirsten’s storytelling strikes a beautiful balance—heartfelt, engaging, and deeply relatable for both little ones and the grown-ups guiding them. The vibrant illustrations paired with playful onomatopoeia breathe life into Hazel’s journey, making each page a joy to experience. This charming tale not only entertains but also opens gentle doors to emotional awareness and connection.  

Jamie Waldvogel, MS, BCBA, LBA
Owner, Behave Your Best, LLC

Quieting Hazel's Heart

I welcome any creative work that gives parents a tool to talk to their children about something difficult to articulate, and Kirsten L Henry has done this with her new book Quieting Hazel’s Heart. I can’t remember with great accuracy the first time I felt anxious or had a panic attack, but as something that plagued me for the first half of my life, I certainly can remember the comfort that came from a friend sharing their experience of them with me and making me realize that I wasn’t alone. I’m gratified to see that books like this one are out in the world now, helping children to understand the complicated feelings they are starting to develop as they reach school age.

Throughout Quieting Hazel’s Heart, both the author and illustrator Cennet Kapkaç do a wonderful job of portraying Hazel as a normal and happy young girl who is dealing with a normal yet daunting feeling of anxiety about being away from her mother whilst at school. These emotions can be difficult to talk about for children who don’t yet have the right words to express what it is they’re feeling, and who don’t have the life experience yet to know what is and isn’t normal. But by reading Kirsten L Henry’s work, the tools for understanding and expression are expertly shared in a way that makes them accessible to the target audience. Although my niece is currently too young for this book, I’ll be holding onto it until she’s at the age where separation anxiety is an issue as I truly believe it will help her with those feelings.

Andy Hutchings for Readers’ Favorite

Quieting Hazel's Heart

This is a very sweet story! Hazel is a cute little preschooler who is experiencing great anxiety over beginning school. The story details her adventures of her first few days while addressing the intense feelings she experiences. As a licensed therapist, I am looking forward to reading this beautifully illustrated story to my young clients as they begin school in the Fall!
I highly recommend this sweet story!

Kathleen Byrne, LMFT

Bright Horizons Family Counseling

Hazel Halts the Humphs

Excellent addition to any preschool or early elementary school library. Hazel is relatable and engaging, and the strategies taught are the types any child can benefit from learning. There's an advantage to naming a phenomenon to children, and gently scaffolding them in dealing with it. All kids get "the humphs" sometimes. Hazel's way of coping with them is excellent. I provide social and emotional learning to schools and am often asked for books to recommend. This one is going right on that list!

Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, PhD

Clinical Child Psychologist and Trauma Expert

Director of Targeted Parenting Institute, New Jersey

Author of Post-Traumatic Parenting