Monthly Archives: February 2024

Everything Will Be OK

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Title: Everything Will Be OK
Author: Anna Dewdney
Illustrator: Judy Schachner
Published By: Viking, 2022

When I was a kid, I was what you’d call a ‘worrier.’ I worried about my family, my friends, the neighbours, my teachers, our pets, and basically anyone else I cared about.

I’m glad to say that I’m 100% cured of that bad habit and am now known among my friends as ‘Totally Easygoing Jess.’ Yeah, it’s not a great nickname, but it completely encapsulates the free and breezy person I totally am for reals.

Okay, fine. I’m still a worrier. After all these years, I’m basically a professional. I’m the person who asks you to text when you get home safely. I’m the one who checks in with you and makes sure you’re okay if I haven’t heard from you in a few days. I’m the one who picks up on the subtle look on your face and asks what’s REALLY going on. I’m that person. And, to my very patient family and friends, I’m sorry-not-sorry.

I’m never going to change. I’ve learned to worry LESS as I’ve gotten older, but it’s basically a character flaw we’re all going to have to live with. And scene.

So…what does that have to do with today’s book? Glad you asked! It’s basically a book tailor-made for a nervous kid like young Jess. It’s a sweet, gentle story that reassures readers that no matter what befalls them, everything will ultimately turn out alright.*

For example: if your brother steals your flute? Not to worry. You still love him (sort of, give me my flute back), and it’s going to work out okay (he’ll get sick of your flute in a hot minute and you can steal it back).

Or if you stub your toe! Man, does that ever hurt. But not for long. You’re going to be alright there, kiddo.

Or if life is generally kicking you in the teeth — like, say, if squirrels are messing up your garden, if you’ve caught a cold, or if your mom gave you nothing but a plate of gross broccoli for dinner, it’s just a temporary problem. It’s going to get better.

Even if your mom and dad are late and your worried little brain is imagining the worst possible outcome, stop freaking out, little bunny — everything will be fine.

This book would’ve been very useful for young Jess. Something to just kind of say ‘relax!’ without actually saying ‘relax!’ because that’s probably the least helpful thing you can say to a worrier.

The art in this book is fantastic. It’s gentle and pastel-coloured and friendly looking. The expression on the little bunny’s face is priceless. (And the kitty sidekick is also adorable.)

So, if you have a little worrier in your life, pick up this book. Read it to them a few times, talk to them about their feelings and try to work through them as much as you can. Then, when your worrier is all grown up, maybe they really WILL be called “Totally Easygoing [Their Name Here].”

Or, you know, maybe not. Because that is truly a terrible nickname.

* Just as a small caveat: this book is not about the big things that go wrong. Sometimes things go completely sideways and they aren’t ever going to be the same, and you might never feel totally okay again. There are some wonderful books out there about dealing with huge loss/change — I will try to review them in the near future. This book is about those small things, those day-to-day things that can throw a kid off balance.

The Bear Must Go On

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Title: The Bear Must Go On
Author: Dev Petty
Illustrator: Brandon Todd
Published By: Philomel Books, 2020

Ah, bears. They’ve always been one of my favourite animals. I collected teddy bears when I was a kid, encourage my children in the collection of many bears and generally love anything bear-related. Obviously, when I saw this book at the library, I had no choice but to take it out and read it.

And what a delightful read it was! Not only was there a bear, but he was also a left-handed (pawed?), shy, writerly bear. Who sings little songs to himself! It was basically the male, cartoon bear version of me! (As an aside, to all of my leftie readers out there: do you notice, in books or on TV or in movies, which characters are left-handed? I always do. I don’t know if this is a left-handed-person thing, or just one of those weird Jess foibles).

The story is about a group of woodland creatures who endeavor to put on a show. There’s Squirrel, Other Squirrel, Rabbit and, of course, my man Bear.

The small critters are very excited. They want to make this show EPIC. Bear, on the other hand, wants to take notes and NOT perform. To which I say: know thyself, Bear. Way to do what makes you most comfortable while also participating in a social event. Kudos.

Anyway, they plan for everything. Costumes, sets, tickets, refreshments, the works. Then, they build the stage, sew the curtains and the show is ready to go on…or…wait…

WHAT SHOW?

They were so busy with all the other theatre-related jobs that they kinda forgot to write a show. Whoops. Happens to the best of us.

Fortunately, Bear to the rescue, he’s been secretly writing down the little song he was singing! So, you know, they could perform that. Except that they don’t really know the tune and Bear’s writing is a little hard to read. Which means…

Bear has to go on.

Now, Bear being a people (animal?) pleaser decides that he’s going to overcome his paralyzing shyness and step into the limelight. To help his friends and all that.

And, of course, he does a great job and everyone loves the show.

I really like the story. As someone who is shy, sometimes it just takes a little nudge (or a very good reason, like helping your friends out) to push you outside of that comfort zone.* And sometimes it works out really well (and, okay, sometimes it doesn’t**).

The art is fantastic. It captures Bear’s emotions perfectly, and it’s delightful to look at. The best picture books have writing and art that support each other, and this one most definitely does.

If you want a fun, sweet book about friendship, overcoming your fears and large, friendly, left-handed bears, this is a must-read.

5/5 sequined curtains

* My older daughter actually had this experience at school in December. She wrote a really good essay and was asked to read it at an assembly. She would normally decline such a public performance, but she tried it and she did amazingly well. I’m not saying she’ll start a career in public speaking, but it was super-good for her ego to have the auditorium erupt in applause.

**See: Jess Stars in a Grade 12 Sears Drama Festival Play That Still Gives her Nightmares to This Day.