The French edition of Ellis on Guard. Review is of the English edition.
Ellis has a lot of worries: talking with new people, catching a cold in the rain, and losing their puppy, Peanut. Sometimes they even turn into Big Worries, ones that mean Ellis can’t think of anything else. Ellis has strategies that help them manage their fears, though, like taking a deep breath or coming up with plans.
Ellis feel brave after planning for what to do if dognappers ever captured Peanut: they create a trap for dognappers. The trap creates unexpected consequences, however, which lead them to assist a neighbor, showing Ellis that sometimes, their Big Worries can sometimes help them care for others. After the incident, Ellis decides to stay outside and play with Peanut in the rain; even if they do get a cold, they muse, “the fun will be worth it.”
Ellis’s nonbinary identity is incidental to the story, which focuses on feelings and responses that may resonate with any child who has anxiety. Notably, Ellis is shown using their coping strategies and finding ways to be brave on their own, although they are supported by their father, who helps briefly with the trap. (Another woman who is never identified but might be their mother also assists at one point.) Ellis is empowered and active, not just the recipient of advice from others. The story may thus find fans among children, nonbinary or otherwise, who also have anxiety and are looking for role models.
Ellis reads as White; the neighbors are South Asian.
