Publication Date: August 4, 2026
Leon, a rather shy little seahorse, dreads anything new and is afraid of the unknown. When he learns that his class is going on a field trip to Plankton Park, his anxiety grows. Thankfully, his kind teacher, Miss Pearl, shares some precious advice to help calm the storm inside him. Will Leon find the courage to overcome his fears? This heartfelt story gently explores childhood anxiety and offers tools to manage it with care. The book, featuring a sensitive and endearing hero who fears the unknown, explores anxiety, a challenge that many children face, in an accepting and thoughtful manner. The gentle tone and uplifting story provide reassurance while encouraging children to talk about their feelings. The helpful appendix provides guidance for supporting anxious children. The stunning illustrations of a magical underwater world captivate and comfort young readers.
Move over, Nemo. There is a new fish ready to help children! Leon is a darling seahorse whose calm routine is about to be disturbed. Leon, Sailing Through the Storm by Véronique Demers invites young readers to an underwater fishy adventure to enjoy and prepare for life’s surprises.
Illustrators and artists must be a great team to create a standout children’s book. Valerie Desrochers has certainly brought to life the underwater school from Ms. Demers’ imagination. Miss Pearl, the octopus, surprises her students with an announcement about an upcoming field trip to the amusement park. Leon immediately feels stress for the unknown. He approaches his teacher, who gently not only assures him of the fun ahead, but sets him up for success with tools to ease his anxiety.
The storyline includes solid examples of preparing Leon for the trip and of how he handles the day’s choices when his teacher isn’t near him. The story brings the reader through enough anxious moments and supportive examples, mixed with the joy of an amusement park, to help a child make a mental map for similar situations. The facial expressions of the sea creatures are a thoughtful detail by the author/illustrator team, expressing a wide range of feelings to children.
Leon, Sailing Through the Storm is crafted so well by both author and illustrator that children will first marvel at the story before discovering a plan for anxious moments.
Véronique Demers has always loved the world of the arts and everything related to self-expression. As a child, she would hide in a corner of the library to escape into imaginary worlds. Holding a bachelor’s degree in teaching dance and drama from UQAM, she taught dance in daycare centers and schools. She has been a primary school teacher for 15 years. By combining her passion for books with her love for education, the author creates wonderful stories that convey valuable messages to young readers, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and learn the importance of self-love. Leon Sailing Through the Storm is her second book.
