Because anxiety doesn't feel very good, we tend to think it's always bad. But separation anxiety-or the fear of being apart from people you love-is a totally normal part of child development. It's also something we're meant to outgrow. When that doesn't happen, separation anxiety can indeed become a big problem. This book looks at separation anxiety both as a phase and as a condition, and it offers practical advice about how to conquer these fears....

More than 2.5 million American kids have a parent in jail or prison-that's about 1 in every 28 kids. It's a tough situation for any family, and especially so for the kids. This book looks at the past and present of incarceration in the United States, while offering encouragement and advice for kids who are eagerly waiting for their parents' release. "What is a family?" What used to seem like a simple question has grown ever more complex. The...

The disorder known as schizophrenia, which roughly means "split mind," is one of the most misunderstood mental disorders. People with the condition experience hallucinations and delusions as their brains struggle to interpret various mixed-up signals. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments of schizophrenia will help reduce the stigma surrounding this rare but frightening disorder. The lives of millions of kids are affected by mental...

Mental or physical challenges don't just affect the people who have them-they can impact entire families, too. This book looks at the many different types of challenges that exist and discusses how these situations can be a challenge for families but also a source of great strength. "What is a family?" What used to seem like a simple question has grown ever more complex. The set explores the different types of family structures that have become...

Although we each only get one birthday a year, on a cellular level we are being reborn all the time. But sometimes cell mutations can occur. These mutations can be harmless, or they can lead to a number of very serious illnesses. Cancer can begin in virtually any part of the body, while sickle cell disease is a particular blood disorder involving the growth of red blood cells. This book explains how these diseases occur and how they can be treated,...

Whether it's due to divorce, death, or simply choice, increasing numbers of unmarried people are also parents. In fact, about a third of American kids are being raised in single-parent families. From custody issues to visitation to childcare, this book discusses both the good and the bad of growing up in a single-parent household. "What is a family?" What used to seem like a simple question has grown ever more complex. The set explores the different...

Feeling sad sometimes is a normal part of being human. But for some people, the sad feelings overtake everything else, leaving them hopeless and empty. The things that used to make them feel happy don't make them feel that way anymore. Having depression is a very common and very serious mental disorder. However, there are ways to fight depression, get treatment, and feel better. The lives of millions of kids are affected by mental illness. And yet...

The word phobia is often used as a joke-a kid might say he has a phobia of spinach, when all he really means is that he dislikes the taste. But for people with genuine phobias, the condition is no laughing matter. Whether it's heights or crowds or plane travel, phobias can make life very difficult. This book introduces readers to the most common phobias and provides useful advice about how these fears can be conquered. Fear and anxiety are completely...

It's unavoidable: life is uncertain. None of us knows exactly what the future will bring. Learning to live with that uncertainty-to manage our fears rather than letting them manage us-is a vital skill that everyone must learn. This book explores why we feel anxiety and at how (believe it or not!) not all anxiety is bad. It also offers practical advice about what we can do when it feels like fear might be getting the best of us. Fear and anxiety are...

There are well over five million interracial marriages in the United States. Meanwhile, adoptions and remarriages are create even more multiracial families all the time. These blends of ethnicities and cultures present special challenges for kids and parents-but they also offer great opportunities and joy. This book explores the past, present, and future of multiracial families. "What is a family?" What used to seem like a simple question has...