Updated Monday, January 4, 2021

Local author Hallee Adelman is the creator of the Way Past... books series, which helps children learn how to cope with their emotions in a literacy-focused way.

Hallee will read Way Past Worried and talk about feeling worried. This story is about a child named Brock. Brock is worried. Way past worried, with his heart thumping and his mind racing. It’s time for his friend Juan’s superhero party and he’s going all by himself. What if nobody plays with him? What if everyone laughs at him? Brock doesn’t feel like a superhero, but... what if he can save the day and find a way past worried all by himself? This engaging story speaks to kids’ emotional intelligence skills and helps them learn to manage worry.

Then, Sage will show us how to make "Worry Whip" (a.k.a. whipped cream). If you would like to make Worry Whip too, there will be an opportunity for Free Library patrons to pick up a free "Whip Your Worries" activity kit in December! Each kit will include a superhero mask, a "whip your worries" whisk, and powdered sugar. Follow the Parkway Central Children’s Department on social media (links below) for more details on when these kits will be available.

Adelman has taught elementary through university students and is committed to bettering the lives of children and families through education, story, and film. Currently, she writes small books about big feelings and can be found using her PhD in education, working on documentary films, or eating sour gummies. She smiles over all-things-Philadelphia, her funny family, and her two dogs.

You can place a hold on Way Past Mad and Way Past Worried in our catalog, or download ebook versions on Hoopla and Overdrive—all you need is your Free Library card!

Also be on the lookout for an upcoming virtual program collaboration from the Parkway Central Children’s Department and Nourishing Literacy, inspired by the Way Past Books, coming soon!

Follow the Parkway Central Children’s Department on Social Media:

• Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkwayCentralChildrens
• Instagram: @freelibraryccd
• Twitter: @ParkwayCCD

And subscribe to the Free Library of Philadelphia YouTube channel today for many more great videos like this one!