Big Problems, Little Problems by Ben Feller, illustrated by Mercé López. Tilbury House, 2022. 9780884488903
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Format: Hardcover picture book
What did you like about the book? Sam can’t zip up his jacket and then can’t find his superhero cape. Dad helps him with the zipper and joins in the hunt for the cape, both times suggesting a few solutions. He also helps Sam identify his feelings and gives him new words for describing them, like perspective and frustrated. These are both small problems they decide. When Sam spills coffee on Dad’s papers, making him late to work, Dad feels frustrated too, but Sam points out that this is really also a small problem with a few solutions: call his boss, print new pages, make another cup of coffee. The supportive father-son relationship is lovely, with the pair exchanging hugs, helping each other out, and talking through their feelings. Attractive watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations show the small family’s apartment in a row house, filled with familiar objects. I liked the double-page spread in the middle, with a large maze featuring Sam and Dad in multiple deadends, both together and alone. Frustrated, Dad says, “It’s that feeling you get when you can’t figure things out.” Both characters have White skin and matching messy black hair.
Anything you didn’t like about it? No
To whom would you recommend this book? This would be a nice book to prompt discussion about small problems versus big ones, along with a sympathetic narrative about how to slow down and give names to feelings that might lead to escalation. I liked that the family was headed by a single dad in a modest city apartment. Therapists, caregivers, social workers, or teachers may find this a useful addition to a list of SEL or bibliotherapy titles.
Who should buy this book? Elementary school or public libraries
Where would you shelve it? Picture books
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer: Susan Harari, Keefe Library, Boston Latin School, Boston, MA
Date of review: July 16, 2022
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