The Invisible Backpack

Leo is headed to his first day of second grade. He is nervous and he explains that his backpack feels heavy.

Leo arrives at school and meets a new friend named Myah. Myah introduces herself and Leo and her walk to class together because they have the same teacher.

Leo and Myah get to class, and the teacher has everybody introduce themselves. Leo feels his bookbag is extra heavy. He tells Myah this, and she explains that hers is light.

Leo and Myah head to lunch and Leo's backpack gets heavier thinking about making new friends. His backpack is almost unbearable.

Back in class, the teacher tells the students they have a project to present to the class tomorrow about something fun they did in the summer. Leo's bookbag gets really heavy, thinking about standing in front of the class.

Leo goes home thinking about presenting tomorrow in class. His bookbag is feeling extremely heavy, and he tells his mom he is nervous. She tells Leo he has nothing to worry about.

Leo gets ready for bed feeling anxious about presenting tomorrow. He lays awake not being able to fall asleep.

Leo heads to school his bookbag feeling extra heavy this morning. He is really nervous to go to his class.

Leo sees Myah and tells her he is nervous and he asks if her backpack is also heavy. She tells him it is a little heavy. Leo brushes off his feelings and walks to class, his bookbag still heavy. 

Leo is stalling going to class. His bookbag is really uncomfortable, and he feels he cannot present to his class.

Leo gets to class and his teacher calls on him to present his summer activity. Leo reluctantly heads to the front of the class. 

I'm really nervous, I can't breathe, says Leo

Leo then has a panic attack and leaves the classroom. 

Myah goes out to the hallway to make sure Leo is ok. She helps him calm down his breathing. Myah asks Leo what's wrong?

Leo tells Myah he got too nervous and he couldn't breathe. Myah explains to Leo that he had a panic attack. Most people get them when they feel something called anxiety. Myah talks Leo into heading back to class.

Leo's classmates are concerned and ask if he is ok. He tells them that he was just really nervous and had a panic attack. Leo's classmates explain that they feel the same way sometimes.

Leo feels a lot better after some of his classmates tell him they experience the same thing as him. Their backpacks also get heavy sometimes.

Leo's teacher goes over the importance of dealing with anxiety. She asks the students how they manage feeling nervous.