The Big Scary Moment

How Ruth and Her Parents Overcame Anxiety to Bring Back the Love of the Game

 

Ruth Hedgehog was born to play baseball—after all, she was named after the great Babe Ruth! With her bat in paw and her family cheering from the stands, Ruth was ready for anything…
Until she wasn’t.

One scary moment changes everything when Ruth gets hit by the ball—and suddenly, the game she loved feels way too risky. Fear takes hold, and no pep talk, promise, or sweet treat can make it go away. Her parents are stumped. Ruth feels stuck. And no one knows what to do…

Enter Nana Swon—wise, warm, and full of heart. With her gentle guidance, Ruth and her family learn that fear can’t just be pushed aside… it must be understood, felt, and faced—together.

The Big Scary Moment is a heartwarming story about big feelings, brave comebacks, and the power of connection. Perfect for children facing fears of their own—and the grown-ups who love them.

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Endorsements

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

An incredible resource, The Big Scary Moment, strikes an extremely rare feat of being playfully fun with incredibly important information. Written with awesome graphics in an engaging way, deBruin and Evans tap into deep channels of healing for children and families struggling with anxiety and mental health challenges. These 2 authors are high level experts and serious, experienced professionals, I would do what they say!

Ryan Rana, PhD., LMFT, LPC

ICEEFT Trainer

Sometimes, what children need most is not answers—but open arms.

Dr. Anabelle Bugatti, PhD, LMFT

ICEEFT Cert. EFT Therapist

Kathryn and Ronda have created a beautiful book that captures what children experience when anxiety takes hold and what often happens when caregivers respond with logic instead of connection. Through the story of Ruth and her family, readers witness how therapy helps parents truly see, hear, and attune to their child’s emotional world. Whether you’re a child or an adult, you’ll find helpful information and practical advice in this book. In addition to being a vital tool for therapists, it is a priceless resource for parents.

Liliana Baylon, LMFT, RPT-S

EMDR Approved-Consultant 

Full of delightful images and the story of Ruth, a young hedgehog who was helped by her parents and Nana Swon after a scary event, this children’s book is full of resources for both parents and children! I highly recommend this as a resource to help young children (and their parents!) make sense of their experiences and to help repair attachment security following the unexpected in life. You will gain several tools to manage anxiety and rebuild safety and security.

Dr. Clair Mellenthin, PhD, RPT-S

Registered Play Therapist Supervisor

Informative, practical, and packed with usable skills — all delivered in a fun and engaging way.

George Faller

EFT Trainer

Such an excellent resource for helping children build emotional intelligence. This book supports kids in understanding their emotions and learning healthy ways to express their feelings. It’s practical, approachable, and empowering for both kids and the adults supporting them. I highly recommend this book.

Jennine Powell, MFT

Owner of Estes Therapy