1-2-3, A DEEP BREATH FOR ME

A fearful dog finds companionship with a newfound canine friend in Harper’s picture book.

Mack is a gentle giant of a dog whose towering stature contrasts with his internal struggles; despite his imposing size, Mack suffers from anxiety. When Mack’s owner introduces him to Gertie, a spunky and much smaller (and fearless) companion, Gertie teaches Mack her tried-and-true method for facing anxiety: counting to 10 while breathing deeply. There’s a catchy rhyme that goes with the process, which young readers might like to try for themselves (“Remember, 1-2-3, a deep breath for me, / 4-5-6, blow it out like candlesticks, / 7-8-9, everything will be fine, / When I get to 10, I do it again”). With Gertie’s help, Mack learns to confront his fears. In direct, easy-to-follow language, the book teaches important lessons about the transformative power of friendship and the importance of finding courage in the face of fear. (And the empathy displayed by Harper’s pooches sounds a reassuring note throughout.) Calv brings Mack and Gertie to vivid life through his deceptively simple full-color illustrations—even without the text, young readers will likely be able to determine what Mack and Gertie are feeling, thanks to the telling looks on their faces. The calming colors—browns and deep reds as opposed to brighter hues—emphasize the sense of calm that Mack is looking for.

Charming illustrations and an easy-to-follow story will engage the youngest of readers.