Local author writes ‘The Whatifs’ to help with childhood anxiety

In the midst of an anxiety-riddled year, a local author came out with her debut book aimed at helping children — or anyone who reads it — overcome their anxiety.

Getting released during the pandemic was a coincidence. Author Emily Kilgore appreciates that families have already benefited from "The Whatifs" during such a tough year.

Following the school day of a little girl named Cora, tiny "whatif" creatures, colorfully illustrated by Zoe Persico, follow her around, creating worries like, "What if my crayon breaks?" to ‘What if I make a mistake during my piano recital?"

"People will always have ‘what-ifs,’ and if there’s sort of a way to shift that thinking into something more positive, hopeful and imaginative ‘what-ifs,’ they’re easier to manage," Kilgore said.

Inspired by her students while she taught at Richardson Elementary School in North St. Paul, "The Whatifs" is getting sold in five countries and is receiving positive feedback from families and on social media.

"I also have anxiety and ask a lot of what it questions," Kilgore added. "So, kind of the combination of the two — you know, experiencing it myself and then hearing it on a daily basis as a teacher, I just knew it was a story that had to be written."

She says it’s easy to find a copy online or just about anywhere books are sold; Kilgore asks folks to support their local bookstores if they can.