I'm Worried (I'm...)

by Michael Ian Black (Author) Debbie Ridpath Ohi (Illustrator)

I'm Worried (I'm...)
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade
Series: I'm...

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.

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Kirkus

A great launchpad for sharing about worries and developing vocabulary for thorny feelings.

School Library Journal

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

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

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)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes




Michael Ian Black
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 of Where Are My 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.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534415867
Lexile Measure
460
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date
June 04, 2019
Series
I'm...
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV002040 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Birds
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
Library of Congress categories
Flamingos
Friendship
Best friends
Potatoes
Worry

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