I'm Worried

by Michael Ian Black, Debbie Ridpath Ohi (Illustrator)

Overview

A girl, a flamingo, and a worried potato star in the third book in New York Times bestselling author Michael Ian Black and celebrated illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s series about feelings—and why they’re good, even when they feel bad.

Potato is worried. About everything.

Because anything might happen.

When he tells his friends, he expects them to comfort him by saying that everything will be okay. Except they don’t. Because it might not be, and that’s okay too. Still, there’s one thing they can promise for sure: no matter what happens...they will always be by his side.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534415867
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	06/04/2019
Series:	I'm Books Series
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	1,087,286
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD460L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Michael Ian Black is a writer, comedian, and actor who has appeared on Another Period, The Jim Gaffigan Show, and Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. He created and starred in many television series, has written screenplays, and regularly tours the country as a stand-up comedian. Michael is the bestselling author of the book My Custom Van, the memoir You’re Not Doing It Right, and the children’s books Chicken Cheeks, The Purple Kangaroo, A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea, I’m Bored, Naked!, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo-Bop!, and I’m Sorry. Michael lives in Connecticut with his wife and two children.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi is the author-illustrator of Where Are My Books? and I Want to Read All the Books. Her illustrations also appear in Sea Monkey and Bob, written by Aaron Reynolds; I’m Bored (a New York Times Notable Book), Naked!, and I’m Sorry, written by Michael Ian Black; as well as ten Judy Blume chapter books and middle grade titles. For more info, visit DebbieOhi.com or @InkyElbows on Twitter.

Editorial Reviews

06/03/2019

Potato, a character that resembles a ball of brown clay with a wobbly mouth and fretful eyes, is worried about the future: “Because what if something BAD happens?” A sensitive girl, who helped Potato to overcome boredom in companion book I’m Bored, comforts and supports her friend. An unruly spread rendered in minty green ink shows Potato’s worst-case scenarios unfolding simultaneously (an erupting volcano, an alien chef holding a “Potato Recipes” book, a T. rex in pursuit of a fearful clown). Potato’s anxiety is contagious: “Um, now I’M worried,” Flamingo says. The girl is pragmatic but gentle as she explains to Potato and Flamingo that life is filled with unexpected events and that many turn out okay in the end. Learning to “enjoy the now” may seem like a simplistic solution to handling life’s inevitable stressors, but readers who put it into practice will likely find it empowering. Ages 4–8. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"A great launchpad for sharing about worries and developing vocabulary for thorny feelings." - Kirkus Reviews

"A fun, reassuring storytime selection or one-on-one read for overly anxious children." - School Library Journal

From the Publisher

06/01/2019

PreS-Gr 2—An anxious brown potato tells his friends—a little girl and a pink flamingo—that he is plagued with worries about the future. Aliens, clowns, volcanoes, pop quizzes, meteors…he is sure that something bad is just around the corner. But instead of reassurance, the wise child admits, "nobody knows what's going to happen," which causes their fine feathered friend to utter, "Um, now I'M worried." The level-headed girl points out that even though bad things have indeed happened to them all, "over time they turned out okay." Not convinced, both the spud and bird wrap themselves in bubble wrap, which turns out to be yet "another bad thing." The child then explains that worrying doesn't help, and that they should both learn to "enjoy the now." Relieved, Potato realizes "Enjoying the now is way better than worrying about the future!" Minimal text and improbable, yet sympathetic characters offer a humorous solution to a serious problem. Worriers of all ages will embrace the catchphrase, "enjoy the now" and learn that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Large, bold, digitally rendered illustrations appear on oversized pages against a white background. All three characters wear their emotions on their sleeves. Share with Kevin Henkes's Wemberly Worried for a lighthearted look at a common concern. VERDICT A fun, reassuring storytime selection or one-on-one read for overly anxious children.—Barbara Auerbach, Cairo Public Library, NY

School Library Journal

2019-03-17
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)

Kirkus Reviews