I’m Stretched by Julia Cook, 30 pages. PICTURE BOOK
National Center for Youth Issues, 2019. $10.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE, MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Between school and family drama and piano lessons and soccer tryouts, Henri is always in a flurry of motion. She’s stretched too thin and moving too fast; Henri knows that she isn’t doing her best in everything, but she also doesn’t know how to fix it! Help!
This is a book with an agenda: teach readers how to handle stress effectively. I love how I could feel the stress and anxiety through the illustrations of the first half of the book and how those feelings were soothed and resolved as Henri’s mom taught both Henri and readers how to work with their stress. This short story is a great tool for proactively teaching stress management.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I loved everything about this book!! Children are stressed just like adults and this book helps children to see what stress they have that is good or bad stress. The book identifies ways for children to handle their stress better, and I honestly couldn't be happier with the suggestions. As a parent, I have a hard time handling stress at times, and a book that helps children understand and work through stress, is so great to see.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a timely book about how to manage stress! Children's schedules are much more full and there seems to be more pressure these days than when I was a kid. I like this book because it helps identify good stress and bad stress. It isn't unrealistic, thinking that we can do away with stress altogether. Instead it gives tips on how to manage stress and not get overwhelmed. Plus the art work is beautiful! Love the message of this book! A great addition to the modern family.