Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"Sometimes you worry." Figures rendered in Parr's bright, exuberant art with markerlike outlines demonstrate how and when worry impacts them. For example, "when you are trying to sleep. Or when you go to the bathroom." The children in the scenes readily convey their emotional states, with downturned mouths, tear-stained faces, and expressions of distress and exasperation. But there are ways to help assuage worry, Parr assures readers. "When you worry, try doing something to keep yourself busy, like talking to someone special"-a child with arms wide open greets a pet fish in a jug-shaped aquarium. Another child wears a superhero cape and recommends "thinking about all the things that make you strong." Anxiety comes and goes, Parr says, and readers never need feel alone in their concerns. Ages 5-up. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--Parr's fans will immediately recognize his signature bold, colorful, thickly lined illustrations and straightforward text. The topic of his newest work is an emotion that can be confusing and difficult for young children to process--worry. Beginning with an explanation of this troubling feeling, the book features children and dogs experiencing 15 relatable scenarios that might trigger feelings of anxiety. A child going to the doctor's office, a pup hiding behind the couch while watching something worry-inducing on the television, and even a nod to more contemporary challenges as a child gets worried from looking at screens too frequently are just some of the examples that reassure little ones that everyone experiences worry sometimes. This is followed by 10 strategies for dealing with worry, from the silly (wear underwear on your head) to the empowering (think about the things that make you strong) to the practical (take deep breaths). The book ends with a letter from the author encouraging children to speak to a loving adult if they are struggling with worry. Overall, the book is an excellent discussion starter for preschool and early elementary audiences. It shows young children that worry is a normal feeling and that there are many appropriate outlets for dealing with it in a healthy way. VERDICT Anyone working with young children will appreciate this gentle exploration of a challenging emotion.--Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, OH
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Review by Horn Book Review
After naming several scenarios that can inspire anxiety ("When someone is being mean. / When it's dark," etc.), Parr offers constructive solutions ("Try doing something to keep yourself busy, like talking to someone special. / Taking deep breaths," etc.). Once again, the emotionally in-tune Parr and his megawatt-bright cartoon-style art are here to help young readers through a rough patch. (c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Simple comforts for young fretters and overthinkers. Recycling themes and even some images from The I'm Not Scared Book (2011), Parr first enumerates a selective list of things that can cause anxiety (fears of the dark or of having to go to the doctor, having too much to do, being bullied) and times that worrying can happen. The latter include lying awake in bed, watching TV, "looking at screens too much" (a frazzled-looking person holds a tablet), and overhearing "bad news"exemplified with an image of a flying saucer, travelers from abroad (of one sort or another) being much on people's minds these days. He then goes on to general coping strategies ranging from taking deep breaths to visiting friends, dancing, squeezing a toy, or just thinking about "everyone who loves and takes care of you!" "Worrying doesn't help you," he concludes, but talking about concerns will. Readers searching for books that address deeper-seated anxiety might be better served by Me and My Fear, by Francesca Sanna (2018). In Parr's thick-lined, minimally detailed illustrations, the artist employs his characteristic technique of adding blue, purple, and bright yellow to the palette of skin tones; he also occasionally switches out human figures for dogs or cats behaving as people would. It's a strategy, though it leaves the cast with a generic look overall. Vague, slapdash reassurances to readers growing up in a worrisome world. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
