by Michael Ian Black ; illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 4, 2019
A great launchpad for sharing about worries and developing vocabulary for thorny feelings
Black and Ohi team up once more to encourage children’s emotional intelligence in this follow-up to I’m Sad (2018) and I’m Bored (2012).
Potato is worried. Potato is anxious about the future and all the terrible things that could possibly happen: alien invasions, volcanic eruptions, dinosaur rampages. Like many who struggle with anxiety, Potato is an expert at catastrophizing, and although Flamingo is initially unconcerned, the spud’s fears are contagious. Their human friend encourages them to learn to treasure and enjoy the moment right now. Although “sometimes bad things happen,” everything usually turns out OK in the end. Ohi’s bright and bold illustrations carry the plot, conveying physical humor and emotional expression (even in the tuber) along with expanding the dialogue-only text, which utilizes different colors and typefaces to identify the speakers. Once again Black does an excellent job of normalizing a difficult emotion and giving children insights on how to cope. The book is not as touching as I’m Sad, but the lighthearted antics of the friends here will likely assist worried readers to break negative thought spirals and perhaps reframe to more mindful settings. As the dedication reads: “For worriers. Take a breath. Right now, in this moment, you are fine. And this moment is all that matters.”
A great launchpad for sharing about worries and developing vocabulary for thorny feelings . (Picture book. 3-8)Pub Date: June 4, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5344-1586-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 7, 2023
From curds to riches, from meltdown to uplift—this multicourse romp delivers.
A winning wheel of cheddar with braggadocio to match narrates a tale of comeuppance and redemption.
From humble beginnings among kitchen curds living “quiet lives of pasteurization,” the Big Cheese longs to be the best and builds success and renown based on proven skills and dependable results: “I stuck to the things I was good at.” When newcomer Wedge moves to the village of Curds-on-Whey, the Cheese’s star status wobbles and falls. Turns out that quiet, modest Wedge is also multitalented. At the annual Cheese-cathlon, Wedge bests six-time winner Cheese in every event, from the footrace and chess to hat making and bread buttering. A disappointed Cheese throws a full-blown tantrum before arriving at a moment of truth: Self-calming, conscious breathing permits deep relief that losing—even badly—does not result in disaster. A debrief with Wedge “that wasn’t all about me” leads to further realizations: Losing builds empathy for others; obsession with winning obscures “the joy of participating.” The chastened cheddar learns to reserve bragging for lifting up friends, because anyone can be the Big Cheese. More didactic and less pun-rich than previous entries in the Food Group series, this outing nevertheless couples a cheerful refrain with pithy life lessons that hit home. Oswald’s detailed, comical illustrations continue to provide laughs, including a spot with Cheese onstage doing a “CHED” talk.
From curds to riches, from meltdown to uplift—this multicourse romp delivers. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9780063329508
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
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by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2020
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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