I have no idea where this week went, but somehow it’s Friday!
Thank goodness! 😊
Because Friday means Perfect Picture Books!
I have a wonderful one to share today, good anytime, but especially nice at the opening of the new school year when we’re meeting new friends and it’s important to be mindful that different people need different things.
Title: Too Much! An Overwhelming Day
Written By: Jolene Gutiérrez
Illustrated By: Angel Chang
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (August 1, 2023) fact-based fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-5 years
Themes/Topics: sensory overload, coping
text copyright Jolene Gutiérrez 2023, illustration copyright Angel Chang 2023, Harry N. Abrams
Opening:
“Alarm clock BEEPS!
I quiver-quake.
The noise is loud
and my ears ache.
Sun is shining.
Time to rise.
The light is bright
and hurts my eyes.”
Brief Synopsis: [From the publisher] “A reassuring rhyming picture book about sensory overload and what you can do when everything is too much.”
text copyright Jolene Gutiérrez 2023, illustration copyright Angel Chang 2023, Harry N. Abrams
Links To Resources: the back matter of the book is a wealth of information, including a Note to Caregivers and Educators, Sensory Overload, Sensory Systems, and Create a Sensory Diet!
text copyright Jolene Gutiérrez 2023, illustration copyright Angel Chang 2023, Harry N. Abrams
Why I Like This Book: Told in short, accessible sentences in appealing rhyme, this book gives readers a glimpse of what it might be like to feel overwhelmed by the many sensations the world has to offer. While lots of people take light, noise, and other sensory stimuli in stride and may not even notice them, some people feel them intensely. Even for people who aren’t bothered by all sensations, some sensations can be upsetting. As with so many things, it’s important to understand and be sensitive to what our friends can and cannot tolerate, and this book will help young readers see sensation from a different perspective. I love the art in this book too. Right from the cover image, it does a fabulous job of showing “too much” on the pages where sensations are overwhelming, and cool, calm, quiet on the pages where things are better. Kids who feel the world this way will feel seen and understood in this book, and the book will help kids for whom this concept is new to understand and be sensitive to it.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
This is one of my favorite 2023 books…such an important story for so many kids! Thanks for featuring it, Susanna. I’m not sure how it happened, but somehow the summer is over – and the sadness about that is balanced by the joy of having your Perfect Picture Book Friday to connect with.
Thank you so much for saying this, Vivian! I appreciate all of your support! ❤
I know what you mean, Vivian! It’s sad to see summer go. But I do love autumn, and Perfect Picture Books, and Contest Season 😊 I’m glad you love this book as much as I do!
What a wonderful book! I’ve seen the cover a number of times, but haven’t gotten to read it, yet. Thank you for this glowing review and glimpse of some of the pages. I am looking forward to my hold coming in. I’m glad #PPBF is back, too!
Thank you so much, Maria! I appreciate your kind words and support!
I feel sure you’re going to love this book Maria! It is beautifully written, and the art is fabulous too!
This one looks great for the classroom! I’ll be looking for it — it seems so important for kids. So glad to see PPBF back!!!
Thank you so much, Andrea! My hope is that it’ll help some kids feel seen, help others grow compassion, and provide resources for adults to better understand and support sensitive kids.
The classroom is a perfect place for this book, Andrea. It has so much to offer. I’m glad you’re glad to see PPBF back 😊
Thank you so much for sharing TOO MUCH!, Susanna, and thank you for your beautiful words about this book! It’s definitely the book I needed when my kids were young and I hope it’s helpful to others. You can also find a teacher’s/caregiver’s guide on my website here: https://www.jolenegutierrez.com/p/too-much-overwhelming-day.html
Happy Friday, and again, thank you!!
I am so glad to be able to share this book, Jolene. It is wonderful! And thank you for the link to the guide – I don’t know how I missed that! I will add it into the resources!
Thank you so much for all of your support, Susanna! ❤ ❤
Such an important book! I think many of us can feel overwhelmed by the noisy hustle-and-bustle that surrounds us so much of the day. I wish this book had been published when I was a kid.
Thank you so much! Yes, overwhelm is common in our busy world.
I agree, Patricia! I don’t know exactly when it happened, but somehow being overwhelmed seems to have become commonplace even for folks who do not have sensory sensitivities. It’s nice for all of us to take a breath and try to figure out what makes things better!
Actually I needed this book this week – and did find the quiet listener who made all the difference.
I’m so glad you found someone to support you.
I’m glad you have someone to listen, Robin. So important! ❤️
This is an amazing book, both story and illustrations. I think most of us can either identify with or know somebody who is like the main character.
Thank you so much, Tiffany!
So true on all counts, Tiffany! That is why this is such an important book.
I love this book!
And for some reason, this week I can comment on your post, but not on others like Patricia’s! I think Jetpack is punishing me for not signing up for their service when WP and Jetpack split apart.
I don’t think I signed up for Jetpack either. Interesting.
As you well know, technology is a constant source of confoundment for me! (I think I just made up a word!) But I’m glad you were able to comment today!
Thank you for all of your support, Jilanne!
I’m so glad, Jilanne! I love it too!
I’m a HUGE fan of this book and am lucky to have been at 2 of Jolene’s events
Ooh! Nice, Laura!
Oops, I hit reply before I was done! Anyway, it’s always fun to hear a book read by the author and hear a few things about the process of writing it.
Thank you for all of your online and in-person support, Laura! ❤
Oops! I commented above without seeing the rest of your reply 🤣 I’m glad you enjoyed hearing about the book!
I haven’t read this book yet, but I am hoping to soon.
Thank you, Sue! Maybe your public library will purchase it if you ask them about it? 😀
You’re in for a treat, Sue. It’s a good one!
I love the idea behind this book and it looks like it will help a lot of kids and teachers. Great post!!
Thank you so much, Karen!
I really think it will help a lot of kids and teachers and parents, Karen. It’s a lovely book!