The Worry Monster Under My Bed

by Sophie Bloom

A Story about Sophie and her Worrywart.

Grade 1: Early readers10 pages

A child who worries about everything discovers their worries have taken the form of a monster, and they must learn to shrink it

Characters

Sophie

Worrywart

Impressionist Garden

Story Arc

Sophie felt a little flutter inside. A small purple friend peeked out. This was Worrywart.

Sophie worried about her new shoes. Worrywart grew a tiny bit bigger. It sat right next to her.

Now Sophie worried about her drawing. Worrywart was bigger still. It sat on her art table.

“Time for school!” Sophie heard. She picked up her bag. Worrywart tried to follow.

At school, Sophie worried about her reading. Worrywart sat on her desk. It blocked her book.

Worrywart was very big. Sophie could hardly move. She sighed a little sigh.

Sophie decided to speak to Worrywart. “I can try my best,” she whispered.

Worrywart suddenly grew smaller! Sophie tried a new word. “I *can* read it.”

Sophie read the whole page. Worrywart became tiny. It sat on her hand.

Sophie smiled at her small friend. Worries still came, but they never stayed big.

Make one of your own next.

flutter: It means a quick, light movement, like a butterfly's wings. Sophie felt a flutter inside her tummy.; Sophie felt a little flutter inside.
peeked: It means to look quickly, often from a hidden place. The friend peeked out from behind something.; A small purple friend peeked out.
Worrywart: This is a name for someone who worries a lot. Worrywart is a character who gets bigger when Sophie worries.; This was Worrywart.
worry: It means to feel upset or scared about something. Sophie started to worry about her new shoes.; Sophie worried about her new shoes.
blocked: It means to get in the way so something cannot pass. Worrywart sat on her desk and blocked her book.; It blocked her book.
hardly: It means almost not, or with difficulty. Sophie could hardly move because Worrywart was so big.; Sophie could hardly move.
decided: It means to make a choice to do something. Sophie decided to talk to Worrywart.; Sophie decided to speak to Worrywart.
whispered: It means to speak very softly, so others can barely hear. Sophie whispered to Worrywart.; “I can try my best,” she whispered.
suddenly: It means happening very quickly and without warning. Worrywart suddenly got smaller.; Worrywart suddenly grew smaller!
tiny: It means very, very small. Worrywart became tiny.; Worrywart became tiny.