overcoming fears – Mom Read It

Akash and Mila and the Big Jump, by Anthony C. Delauney/Illustrated by Chiara Civati, (Apr. 2024, Mascot Kids), $18.95, ISBN: 978-1637558607)

Ages 4-6

“Dadvisor” Delauney’s back with another story of overcoming fears and supporting one another. Akash and Mila are two friends excited to start their first gymnastics class, but Akash falls during a springboard jump. He’s embarrassed, which leads Mila to feeling self-doubt. Neither want to continue participating until their classmate, Dash (readers of Delauney’s books will recognize the character) comforts them by telling them he felt the same when he started gymnastics, and introduces them to his friend, Lulu. Together, Lulu and Dash provide encouragement to Akash and Mila, telling them that ““Making mistakes is okay. / We know they’re never planned. / But now you get to choose. / Do you want to try again? / We’ll support you no matter what happens in the end”. The two friends try again and receive cheers from their friends as they succeed. Civati’s illustrations are colorful and cheerful, with diverse characters. The rhyming text is appealing to younger readers. A good additional purchase for collections.

The Cyclops Witch and the Heebie Jeebies, by Kyle Sullivan/Illustrated by Derek Sullivan, (Apr. 2019, Hazy Dell Press), $17.95, ISBN: 9781948931007

Ages 3-7

Hazy Dell won me over with a set of adorable monster board books last year, and now, they’ve got a full-length picture book! The Cyclops Witch Meets the Heebie Jeebies is all about a witch who isn’t afraid of anything… except a group of creepy Heebie Jeebies! The Witch tries to pawn them off on other monsters, but those Heebie Jeebies confound her at every turn! When the chips are down, and things get scary, though, those Heebie Jeebies may just be exactly what the Cyclops Witch needs.

I love this adorable rhyming story and these adorable monsters! Cyclops Witch learns to face her fear, and not to make rash judgements in this sweet story, and readers will love reading about monsters who aren’t really so scary after all. If you’ve read the previous Hazy Dell board books, you’ll notice a few familiar faces, and meet a bunch of new ones! The illustrations are gentle, with soft colors and adorable, wide-eyed expressions. Sesame Street introduced us to friendly monsters – Hazy Dell is keeping with tradition!

The Cyclops Witch and the Heebie Jeebies will be in demand, come Halloween, for sure – get your readers in on it NOW. More Monster Adventures, please!