Don't Worry Douglas

David Melling (author/illustrator)

Hodder Children's Books, UK:  April 2011

ISBN: 9780340999806

Genre: picture book

Issues: family, trust

Dad gives Douglas a new woolly hat. Douglas thinks it's great and wears it all day while he's playing – which causes a small problem. Will Dad get angry?

When Douglas' hat unravels after catching on a tree, his animal friends try to help. While they have some very... interesting... even creative ideas as to what to do with what remains of Douglas' new hat, none of them are particularly helpful. It's Rabbit who has the best advice – 'he's nice, your Dad. He'll understand.'

A simple story with brightly coloured, comical illustrations, Don't Worry Douglas explores the kind of problem that, for children, can lead to enormous anxiety. While the helpful friends try to make Douglas laugh, it's Rabbit who provides the reassurance that all children need – that our parents love us no matter what we do, how many accidents we have, or what we break; that accidents and mistakes are part of life, of growing up, and that we need to trust the people who love us to understand and forgive.