Don't Blow Your Top!

Vibrant saturated colors and thick outlines bring energy to the offbeat tale.

Deals with feelings in a gentle, easy-to-understand way.

PreS-Gr 2--Short sentences create a simple yet effective message in this book that uses volcanoes to illustrate staying calm amid pressures from the outside. Vibrant colors depict Big Volcano sitting behind Little Volcano as a bird drops what appears to be a coconut on Little Volcano's head. Watching Little Volcano struggle to keep their temper, Big Volcano reminds them to take some deep breaths, count to calm down, and think happy thoughts. This reminder is effective the first time around, but eventually, another coconut incident occurs, and Little Volcano blows their top, having forgotten all the aforementioned strategies. Following the event, Little Volcano learns to shake it off and carry on knowing that next time an unsettling event occurs, they will be prepared. Young children will certainly be able to relate to losing their cool from time to time, as well as the struggle to maintain composure. The cartoon-style illustrations, with simple lines and forms, keep this story firmly in the realm of fiction; this book could be a stepping stone to a lesson on real-life volcanoes and what makes them blow. VERDICT Knowing that mistakes happen and that improvement is possible is an important message for all ages.--Tracy Cronce

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

A young volcano learns to manage potentially explosive emotions in this gratifying geological picture book with text by Dyckman. As pages open with a "beautiful day in Paradise," heart- and animal-shaped smoke emanates from Big Volcano and Little Volcano. But when an errant bird accidentally drops an object on Little Volcano, the crater begins to boil with upset, inspiring Big Volcano to suggest calming strategies, including breathing, counting, and thinking happy thoughts. The protagonist is soon tested again, this time resulting in an explosion. "I blew my top," the younger says with an expression of regret. "Sometimes it happens," the elder generously reassures. Luckily, the third time's the charm when yet more items arrive: "Bonk! Bonk! Bonk!" Vibrant colors saturate Alwar's digital art, which expressively animates the story's characters. Little Volcano's tools for emotional regulation offer readers simple and memorable skills for moments when they might feel themselves getting hot-tempered. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.