At a time when anxiety is proving to be increasingly pervasive among children, this is such a timely book on this important theme. And what makes it even better is that it's a sweet story with beautiful illustrations. The latter alone are worth the price of the book.

Fred is scared of everything - from loud noises to the worst-case scenarios his imagination dreams up. So when a dark spot appears in the sky his mind goes into overdrive. By contrast, Coco is afraid of nothing. She sees possibilities everywhere, and views life as one great adventure.

To her, this new phenomenon is an opportunity for exploration. And as she tries to draw Fred into the adventure, it becomes increasingly clear that their differences are all a matter of perspective. Yet what an important difference that makes to their quality of life!

This is a story about kindness and empathy, and how to understand another person's point of view - especially when it is different from yours. Because not only does Coco's approach help Fred, it helps people like Coco understand people like Fred better. So whether you are the parent, caregiver, teacher, relative or friend of a Fred or a Coco, this lovely little story has a lot to offer!

An interesting take on anxiety, perspective, and cognitive reframing. Fred and Coco see the same black spot, but have entirely different perspectives on what it might be and how it makes them feel. While I appreciated this unique take on such an abstract concept, I wish the book had been a bit more direct and explicit about how one might adopt a different perspective or why it's valuable. Despite this, it was a pleasant read with interesting illustrations, and we'll be purchasing it for our library come September.

A cute picture book about overcoming fear and exploring new things. While Fred assumes the worst (a comet? a moon knocked out of orbit?) about a strange black spot that suddenly appears, Coco indulges in positive thoughts and speculates that it could be a bubble or a balloon. The book ends with the children deciding to explore the strange phenomenon...and kids can make up their minds as to what they discover.

With the help of Coco, who isn't afraid of anything, Fred, who is afraid of everything, learns to overcome his fears by looking at them from a different point of view. The example in the book is a black dot, which each child interprets differently. The pandemic had a major psychological impact on children of all ages, with the emotion turmoil needing to be addressed in many ways. This lovely book provide a way to discuss and alleviate anxiety.
Thank you to Frances Lincoln Children's Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group, and Netgalley for the digital arc.

This book laid a quick and basic foundation about how our fears are normal but that shouldn’t stop us from looking further into them and that there are many of different views of unknown things.

I would recommend this book for very young readers

Love this book for help with children struggling with anxiety. It’s a quick read and doesn’t make a huge impact right away but I think it helps with my own anxiety as well as my kid’s. Helps you see the world is a lot bigger than small, minute problems.

An extremely meaningful read about the power of perspectives. I'm impressed by how much the author managed to convey in so few pages. It's human nature to be scared of the uncertain and stick to our comfort zones, but this book is a good reminder to not let fear hold us back. I loved the illustrations and colours too. A beautiful book in every sense!

I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books through NetGalley.
Fred is afraid of many things; he is most anxious about unexpected things. Readers see him in his room and then venturing outside. Suddenly, he sees a spot and hides in fear while his mind creates all sorts of dangerous scenarios. Readers then meet his friend, Coco, who sees amazing things all around them. She persuades Fred to come out and see all the lovely things around them and supports him when he does so. Together they explore the spot and discover how beautiful the world can be even though there are also dangerous parts. The illustrations tell the story without needing the words but the style is not appealing to me. Others will appreciate this art style more.

This was a book about overcoming anxieties, and while I thought the illustrations were beautiful and the message is good, I think it missed the mark a bit in teaching about mental illnesses like depression and/or anxiety to kids. I felt like it was showing how to cover it up and believe what other people believe, instead of actually facing it yourself and overcoming what might be wrong. You can't just put a blanket over your feelings, it's usually not that simple

An Unexpected Thing is a picture book for children about a boy called Fred who suffers with anxiety especially when it comes to new things and things he doesn't know about. One day a dot appears in the sky and sparks Fred's anxiety. A girl called Coco also sees the dot but is enthusiastic about it and sees it from a different perspective to Fred. Coco decides to help Fred to see it from another angle, and together, they explore its possibilities. This is a great book for a discussion topic with children as it helps children like Fred and also helps children who are the opposite to understand that not everyone is excited about change and sometimes needs help and support to adapt. This helps to support children with anxiety as well as helping others understand and discover empathy and understanding towards others too.

A great way to talk about the unknown with nervous and non-nervous kids alike. When a mysterious black ball shows up in the sky, one kid hides, while the other takes the opportunity to help. They discuss what the orb could be and decide to check it out. Empathy, kindness, the unknown are all great concepts tackled in this children's book.

An Unexpected Thing by Ashling Lindsay is a beautifully written children's book about overcoming fears and worries with the help of friendship and imagination.

There is always a place for books about fears. Children like to see themselves in a book, and many young readers will see themselves in Fred. This book won't stop a child from experiencing fear, but it may help then look at what they're afraid of in a new light, and in turn feel less fearful. It also shows that talking to someone about your fear is one of the best things that you can do.

Everyone is afraid at some time in their life. But there are some of us that are afraid quite often. Understanding our fears and anxiety is such a valuable lesson for any age. The earlier in life we learn to be aware of fear and learn how to change our perspective and see adventure.

This children’s book is a perfect way for parents, grandparents, caregivers and even schools to talk to young readers about fears and anxiety. Difficult emotions are not always easy to discuss in general, but the way these emotions are presented in this picture book makes it fun and easy.

The artwork is amazing and an adventure in and of itself. I read the book a second time just to get a close up look at each page of illustrations. I would recommend this book over and over to anyone of any age!

Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books, Frances Lincoln Children's Books.

Wow, I actually really liked this! When the book starts I was unsure how It was gonna go, but the message of the story I thought was great.

STUNNING ILLUSTRATIONS !!!!

What a beautifully simple book that gives such an important message, that everyone sees things differently but with a little help we can see things in a new way !!

I really enjoyed reading this book to my daughter and she loved it and wished a spot would appear for us to explore ☺️

It is wonderful to read a children’s book that addresses difficult emotions like fear. Handled in a sensitive way, with beautiful illustrations, it drives home the message that we are not alone if we confide in a trusted friend. When we share, we get another perspective about that scary thing that makes us hide. Another viewpoint can make that frightening thing less formidable. It diffuses fear’s power over us, maybe it transforms it into something benign. We can learn to be braver. A book that encourages openness, trust and optimism should be on every kid’s bookshelf.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful and I think the intention behind it is good, but for me the message behind it just didn't land. Both the tone of the words and the illustrations demonized Fred f0r fearing things, when he likely could have depression, anxiety, or past experiences that informed his behaviour, while celebrating Coco for her fearlessness. So often we celebrate certain kids for being smiley and happy, as if this is objectively better than a child who is anxious and has genuine reasons for not being smiley all the time. When we are scared of something it can be good to talk to a friend, but it felt as though Coco denied the possibility that the orb in the sky could be dangerous (if a black orb suddenly appeared in the sky I would assume danger.) Rather than getting an adult, or honouring Fred's instincts, he is pushed to go out of his comfort zone. It turns out okay, but I do not think it is a fair depiction to share the message with kids that facing your fears directly is always a good idea. Fear is a healthy way our bodies tell us to exercise caution, and so many things kids might be afraid of are for good reason.

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book depicting overcoming anxiety through seeing different perspectives and friendship. It's simple but effective and I think it will really connect with a lot of kids.

A lovely book about friendship and looking at things in a different way.
Some lovely illustrations.