Do your children know they are the boss of their thoughts?New York Timesbestselling author Jennie Allen will help your kids realize that they don’t have to hang on to every scary, anxious, or mean thought that enters their heads (no matter how it gets there). Based on biblical advice to take thoughts captive, this picture book makes managing thoughts achievable and fun for kids.
As a mother of four and bestselling author ofGet Out of Your Head, Jennie Allen knows what it’s like to swirl in a spiral of thoughts, but she also knows we don’t have to stay stuck in toxic thinking patterns—and she wants to pass on this liberating truth to the next generation.
A great gift for teachers, caregivers, or back-to-school celebrations,What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughtsis a wonderful tool to teach your children that
God created them and their amazing brains with a plan and a purpose, and He wants to help them use their thoughts and brains for good;God has given them power over their thoughts; andeven if they’ve been stuck in a swirl of anxious, scary thoughts, they don’t have to stay there!With whimsical illustrations from Nadia Gunawan, this picture book addresses one of the most foundational skills for a happy, healthy life. Surround your children with your loveandwith tools to combat anxiety and negative thinking.
Jennie Allen is a passionate leader and visionary following God's call to inspire women to encounter the invisible God. With a Master's in Biblical Studies from DTS, Jennie is the author of two Bible studies, Stuck, a CBA best-seller, and Chase, and the ECPA "New Author of the Year" winner of Anything and Restless, which also includes a DVD-based study. The founder of IF: Gathering, Jennie, and her husband Zac, have four children.
What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts is a gentle, affirming, and useful tool for helping kids begin to understand that they are in charge of their thoughts—not the other way around. Whether those thoughts are anxious, scary, or just plain mean, Jennie Allen guides readers through what it means to recognize, name, and redirect them in a way that feels empowering without being overwhelming.
What I especially appreciated about this book is how it offers practical strategies for kids to try when their minds feel like a whirlwind. These aren’t just abstract ideas—they’re hands-on exercises, easy enough for a child to grasp with a little help, and meaningful enough to make a real difference. It’s a book that doesn’t just soothe, it equips.
My five-year-old loved the illustrations—bright, engaging, and full of whimsical movement that perfectly reflects the swirling thoughts the book describes. While younger readers may need a few read-throughs to fully grasp the message, this is definitely one of those books that’s meant to be revisited.
What makes this book stand out is how it weaves together psychological circumstances with faith so seamlessly.
The closing message—“You have a choice”—is such a powerful takeaway for kids. Thoughts and feelings may come and go, but how we respond is something we can learn to guide. This is one of those books to keep on the shelf, front and center. The kind you’ll want to pull out on the tough days, when emotions feel too big, and your little one needs a reminder that they’re not alone—and that they’re more powerful than they think.
What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts will be published April 29, 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tommy Nelson®, Thomas Nelson®, Jennie Allen (Author), and Nadia Gunawan (Illustrator) for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a colourful blast! I absolutely loved this book. I haven’t read Jennie Allen’s Get Out of Your Head yet, but I can definitely see how this children’s book could be considered a kid-friendly version of it. It beautifully tackles the topic of our thoughts—especially those whirly, swirly ones that seem to grow bigger and bigger if we don’t catch them in time.
The illustrations by Nadia Gunawan are gorgeous—bright, cheerful, and full of life. They give off a total candy store, candy cane vibe that will immediately capture the attention of little readers (and adults too!). The visuals perfectly match the theme of the book, making it not only fun to read but also engaging to look at.
The message is powerful: we do have the ability to choose what thoughts we let grow. Negative thoughts can spiral quickly, but this book gently teaches kids that they can reject lies and replace them with gratitude, truth, and even physical activity. It’s hard to stay anxious or worried when you're building your body, mind, and soul with good things. This isn’t just about stopping bad thoughts—it’s about replacing them with better ones.
Jennie Allen does a fantastic job making the concept of “taking every thought captive� (as mentioned in Scripture) accessible to kids. This book is about fighting the battle of the mind through faith, thankfulness, and intentional thinking. It’s truly a beautiful resource for helping kids learn to renew their minds and trust in Jesus.
This is an excellent Sunday school resource and would make a thoughtful gift for young children. I’m so grateful to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson for providing me with a copy of this book. I highly recommend it!
I recently read What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts by Jennie Allen with my kids, and it was such a meaningful and engaging experience, especially for my 6-year-old. The book is all about helping children understand that they have control over their thoughts—even the scary, anxious, or mean ones that sometimes pop into their heads. With whimsical illustrations by Nadia Gunawan and a message rooted in biblical truth, the book teaches kids that God created their amazing brains with a purpose and that they have the power to take their thoughts captive and use them for good. My 6-year-old was immediately drawn to the colorful, playful artwork, but it was the message that really stuck with him.
What I loved most was how the book made such a big concept—managing your thoughts—feel accessible and even fun for young kids. My 6-year-old has been going through a phase where he gets stuck on worries or negative thoughts, and this book gave him a tangible way to think about those “whirly, swirly� feelings. He loved the idea of being the “boss� of his thoughts and would excitedly tell me, “I’m not going to let the mean thoughts stay in my head!� It was amazing to see him grasp such an important life skill in a way that felt empowering rather than overwhelming. The book also sparked some great conversations about how God wants to help us use our thoughts for good, which was a beautiful way to connect faith with everyday struggles.
✧˖�. � I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
This book is adorable and very helpful for parents who are looking for age appropriate ways to talk to their preschoolers/kindergarteners about big feelings and what to do with them. It is written with a Christian slant, including discussion of Jesus, God, and praying, however many of the steps described for helping take care and control of the thoughts can be used in any situation. In our case, we did include praying and talking to God as an option, and my daughter (5) really seemed to resonate with it. Big feelings and 'whirly, swirly thoughts' are a major topic in our household and this book has very much assisted in that discussion. My daughter has recently learned about heaven and that it means a separation from those on Earth and that is causing her some anxiety. We've used this book as one of the tools to assist her with navigating these feelings and it's been a big help. If you have a little one who's dealing with Big Feelings, especially ones of anxiety or grief, this book can be an excellent tool for giving them language to express what they're feeling. The illustrations are adorable, engaging, and help to explain what the words are saying in a fun way. Definitely a book that will be seeing regular rotation in our household. We read this digital ebook through NetGalley.
What to Do with Your Whirly, Swirly Thoughts by Jennie Allen and illustrated by Nadia Gunawan is a ridiculously adorable book to deal with a very important topic that many children suffer from in our society today.
As a mother of several children with anxiety and “whirly, swirly, thoughts�, I think that this book approaches the topic in a very child-friendly way and helps children to see their own experience as normal. The book shows children that their brains and the thoughts therein are gifts from God which they can (with help) control. It makes complex and scary things very approachable and discussable even with small children. Well done!
This book is beautifully illustrated with bright eye-catching pictures that include children from many racial backgrounds and physical abilities. I particularly like seeing the pictures of the children in wheelchairs seamlessly interacting with ambulating children!
This book is one that I am very excited to share with my children and can wholeheartedly recommend!
Many thanks to Jennie Allen, Nadia Gunawan, Tommy Nelson, and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are offered freely and are entirely my own.
This children’s book is a much needed tool for parents in approaching and even placating anxiety in our children. The book outlines the following child-level concepts through a spiritual lens:
-We have thousands of thoughts a day -Our thoughts can be happy, angry, silly, or worried -We have exciting thoughts, thoughts to do math and thoughts as we talk to Jesus -Some of our thoughts can be scary and bad thoughts -And when we keep thinking about them, they grow and grow and crowd out good thoughts -Our brains are gifts from God-He put us in charge of them so we can tell those bad thoughts to stop and think good thoughts and things we are thankful for instead -In training our brains with practical and Biblical ways to renew our minds and the thoughts that whirl and swirl around in our brains, we can learn to choose our thoughts
I also adore the vibrant and colorful, whimsical illustrations throughout this story that appear as road maps, whirly clouds, winding slides and musical scores. I envisioned my own churning thoughts as I read the book and eventually became their “boss� as I traveled along and replaced them with thankfulness and joy.
I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.
What to Do With Your Whirly Swirly Thoughts offers a concise, helpful guide for children on how to reflect on their thoughts. I appreciated that the book emphasizes our ability to control our thoughts, especially in the context of how God has empowered us to do so.
The opening of the book explores familiar emotions that young children will recognize. It acknowledges the validity of negative emotions, while also reinforcing the message that we are not held captive by them. Throughout, readers are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and emotions by answering questions, and these helped spark discussion in our family as we read.
While the book offers concrete advice on how to take our thoughts captive, younger readers might still struggle to make the necessary connections to understand, which is where I think a narrative to follow in the book could have been helpful.
Although the advice and wisdom in the book are solid, the inclusion of Scripture only at the end of the book, disconnected from the actual text, felt like an afterthought, and I would have preferred it to play a more prominent role in a faith-based title like this one.
“What to do with your Whirly Swirly Thoughts� by Jennie Allen is a short, yet great book to help kids understand their thought processes.
You may be familiar with Jennie’s book, “Get out of Your Head,� which helps adults control their thoughts and emotions. In both books, Jennie explains how these toxic thoughts are not from God, and helps readers understand how to control them and think positively instead. In this book particularly, the author simplifies the message of her main book, in a way that’s easy for children to understand. It also includes bright, colorful illustrations which make it a joy to look through!
From the introduction to the parents:
“Sometimes anxiety, depression, or the effects of trauma are beyond our control. Please read these words with great compassion. Sometimes we need more help than redirection! Praise God for the help of counselors and doctors.�
“Now more than ever, kids need the freedom that Jesus offers their thought lives, and they also need the love of a safe adult who cares about them and shows up for them again and again.�
This bright, colorful picture book teaches kids about ways they can deal with their thoughts. The author writes from a Christian perspective, encouraging kids that God designed their brains and their bodies, and that it's possible for them to "take every thought captive" through various physical and mental exercises. The author describes these activities in simple, kid-friendly ways, and the illustrations show kids doing these things.
This book shares simple, practical advice for dealing with anxiety and negative thinking patterns, and I especially appreciate the author's note at the beginning, which acknowledges that some issues are more complex, and that trauma and severe mental health issues may require additional interventions. This book won't be sufficient for everyone, and I love that the author mentions this up front, but it can be very helpful for kids who need support in responding to fears, mean and negative thoughts, and harmful beliefs.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I didn't ask for this. Why must people "sneak in" religious ideas into books that are seemingly unrelated to religion?? I went into reading this book thinking that it would be about how to manage thoughts that are created by anxiety. I was mostly right, but then the word came up: the big G. I totally agreed with the book when it said "you are in control of your own mind". This is great! But, then why bring in that guy? You give yourself control, no one else. Kind of dumb, in my opinion. Removing the religious tone of the book would really help push the message further, and it doesn't throw off readers that aren't Christian. For readers like myself, the religion makes the other (good) points of the book not matter as much. However, if you are really dead-set on including it, make that apparent in the title. Please. Lastly, the thing I liked most about this book were the drawings. They were so detailed and beautiful, making the book feel joyful and whimsical. Kudos to the illustrator.
This is such a beautifully illustrated book to help kids navigate the difficult emotions such as fear and anxiety. Beautiful illustrations, short and beautiful words easy for the kids to follow through. Also I loved that it's not very preachy and also advises the parents from the introduction to the parents:
"Sometimes anxiety, depression, or the effects of trauma are beyond our control. Please read these words with great compassion. Sometimes we need more help than redirection! Praise God for the help of counselors and doctors."
It's definitely important to add these but if you feel your child needs professional help, do not shy away from it. Thank you netgalley, author, illustrator and the publishers for the review copy in exchange for my honest review.
As a mom I was so happy to find this book. So thankful to NetGalley and the publishers for being able to enjoy this book. This wonderful book helps show kids that we can let go of those feelings and emotions that can weigh us down. They are those thoughts that swirl around and can upset us and our lives. I love how the author shows us that God created us and He wants to help us with those scary, anxious and mean thoughts that swirl around in our minds. She shows them that God gave them the ability to get rid of those thoughts. So wonderfully written with bright, engaging illustrations. Such a creative way to show our littles, and adults, that God can help them and that those thoughts can go away. A great story to share with your family. A MILLION STARS
Here "whirly, swirly thoughts" are those nasty, persistent, negative ones � doubt, anxiety, and anything else that makes us worried, sleepless or just plain cranky. But we can control our brain � we can talk these emotions away, or get them actively absent through physical activity, or demand of our brain it concentrates on what makes us thankful. This is definitely gaudy and colourful enough for a young audience, but it is only suitable for a heavily religious one � here, god has done nothing to give us these thoughts but all the powers to get rid of them and control our minds? Yup � his. It's done as well as could be achieved, and yet it's not something I would recommend. To the religiously-minded, it's definitely worth considering.
Jennie Allen is well known for her work in helping adults with controlling their thoughts in her book "Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts" and now she has done it again but for children. Jennie combines fun rhyming words and playful, imaginative drawings to help bring the big idea of controlling your thoughts down to a level that not only children can understand but also can enjoy. This will be an amazing tool for parents to pull out and read with their children in many different scenarios they may find themselves in. I give this book give 5 stars!
I received an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.
[Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my gifted e-copy in exchange for an honest review.]
Rating: 4.5
I loved the vibrant illustrations in this book! This title seeks to minister to children who are experiencing anxiety. Through rhyming words and lyrical writing, the author teaches children that these thoughts are something that everyone experiences but that we don’t have to stay stuck in our “whirly swirly� thought patterns. Instead, God can help us! The author goes over several other things that may help too, such as talking about our thoughts, getting outside, and moving our body. A very helpful resource!
This is a fun, preciously illustrated book that helps kids figure out what to do with their thoughts, specifically their anxious thoughts. Jennie Allen makes it known to kids that God designed our brain and it is filled with all kinds of thoughts. She teaches kids in a practical way how they can take captive their thoughts and get rid of those whirly, swirly thoughts. This book would be a great addition to a home or classroom library and is one that can be read over and over again.
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is a very sweet, helpful book for a kiddo whose brain might feel like it's in overdrive! The author first explains how thoughts can make you happy, scary, worried, etc. and then explains how *you're* in control of your own brain. The concepts of gratitude, prayer, physical movement, and talking thoughts out with your loved ones are all explored, alongside adorable and vibrant illustrations.
(This is also a Christian book, so keep that in mind if it's not your jam. �)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jennie Allen, known for her work Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts, has taken her research and created a child friendly accessible book on how to manage one’s thoughts. Through rhyming words and playful, imaginative drawings this book teaches kids that God created their amazing brains with a purpose and that they have the power to take their thoughts captive and use them for good vs. letting the whirly, swirly, thoughts rein. Both adults and children will be equipped to better talk about caring for one’s mental well being with Allen’s latest resource!
The book did a good job of describing the thoughts and obstacles that come with anxiety. Additionally, the underlying belief system and trusting God with your thoughts was clearly laid out in the book. The illustrations and the colors keep the book interesting and will catch the attention of the little ones this book is read to. The content was not too childish that this could not be used with adolescents. Understanding we are the boss of our bodies and leaning on something greater than ourselves can help us stop those negative thoughts from spiraling.
I enjoyed reading this story; it gives great tools for dealing with our thoughts. This book would be a great way to introduce mental health awareness and the importance of safely expressing feelings and thoughts. I love the illustrations; they are colourful and grab children's attention. I hadn't realized this was a religious book, so the aspects of God and Jesus caught me off guard. Having religion within the book makes it harder to recommend it to others and to use this book within the classroom.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.
Hold every thought captive is the theme of the book and I loved it . This is a children's book so it is full of illustrations , easy to read and understandable . It is an important book that helps children understand that everyone has thoughts that may necessarily who they are and what to do when that happens. Enjoyed it and recommend it to every parent.
This is a Children's book I read to my twin boys. I found this book to have a great message, and I enjoy reading it to my boys. The pictures were bright and fun. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
Lovely illustrations, clear advice for children about how to respond to emotions of all kinds. Direct religious references (I should have expected this seeing the author's name, but forgot!)
This book is a great resource to help parents equip young children with anxiety. Through bright illustrations and lyrical prose, Allen teaches kids to talk about their thoughts, move their bodies, and practice gratitude. We don't have to stay in our negative thought patterns, but can take every thought captive with God's help.
However, I think that in some ways this book is a missed opportunity to teach kids about what the Bible says regarding our minds. While it does mention "taking every thought captive", there are so many other passages that talk about our thoughts and mind (armour of God, think about these things, mind of Christ, etc.), and I think that this book could have benefited from a few more lines of Scripture.
Overall, this is an engaging, practical book that would be a great tool for parents and educators.
A big thank you to Net Galley and Tommy Nelson for sharing a digital review copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.