Cathy Gagliardi

Cathy Gagliardi on Helping Kids Handle Anxiety | 1,510 Cathy Gagliardi is a children’s author whose stories are rooted in compassion, emotional wellness, and helping children navigate the challenges of growing up in today’s fast paced world. Based in Ontario, Canada, Cathy discovered writing as a deeply therapeutic outlet and soon recognized how many children silently struggle with anxiety, bullying, self doubt, and feelings of not belonging. That realization inspired the creation of her beloved YumYum series. Her book Bellyflies was born from a night of grief after learning a friend had lost her teenage son to suicide. The story gently explores childhood anxiety through the eyes of a young boy named Billy and his comforting stuffed animal YumYum, helping children understand emotions and develop healthy coping strategies. The book has since been embraced by families and even used in therapeutic settings. In Gonna Build A Boat, Cathy continues that mission by encouraging co…