Don't Blow Your Top!

September 11, 2023
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.

October 1, 2023

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.

November 1, 2023
How to avert disaster? On a beautiful day in Paradise, Big Volcano and Little Volcano stand happily beside one another. A colorful bird unexpectedly drops a small boulder onto Little Volcano. Uh-oh. Will Little Volcano explode in rage? In the past, Little Volcano has had meltdowns, but Big Volcano models helpful strategies: deep breathing, counting, and thinking happy thoughts. The techniques work--until that clumsy bird drops two more boulders. "BONK! BONK!" This time, though, fed-up Little Volcano forgets the calming tricks and BLOWS THEIR TOP. When Little Volcano apologizes for blowing it--literally and figuratively--Big Volcano gently reassures them: "Sometimes it happens" and "It's okay. Shake it off." Peace and happiness are restored. Wait! Is that a bird flying over the volcanoes again? Now it's Little Volcano's turn to share the mindfulness tactics, and all ends well. This cute, soothing story will help children learn to cope with and temper those explosive, potentially overwhelming emotions that we all feel from time to time. It also lets kids know they might even assist grown-ups when they occasionally lose their own cool. The vibrant, cartoonish digital illustrations are lively, with expressive protagonists and a tropical setting as a backdrop. Deals with feelings in a gentle, easy-to-understand way. (Picture book. 3-6)

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Starred review from November 1, 2023
Two bright green volcanoes, one big and one little, live happily in a tropical paradise until: "Something unexpected happened." A bird accidentally drops a coconut on Little Volcano. "Would Little Volcano...BLOW THEIR TOP?" Big Volcano gently reminds Little Volcano how to calm themself down: deep breathing, counting to five, thinking happy thoughts -- "it worked!" And then the bird returns and drops two unexpected coconuts. Overwhelmed, Little Volcano forgets all about deep breathing and counting. "KABOOOOOOOM!" After the ash and lava settle, Little Volcano feels sorry and Big Volcano is empathetically reassuring: "Sometimes it happens." Dyckman's (How Dinosaurs Went Extinct, rev. 3/23, and others) warm-hearted story stars two surprisingly relatable landform characters. Big Volcano's understanding reaction to Little Volcano's outburst is a good reminder to young humans and their caregivers that, when meltdowns happen, a steady, loving presence can help restore equilibrium. Alwar's animated digital illustrations give the expressive volcanoes lots of personality. Vibrant saturated colors and thick outlines bring energy to the offbeat tale. At the end, when Big Volcano is hit with three airdropped coconuts and is in danger of kabooming, a calm and regulated Little Volcano helps keeps the peace in paradise. Kitty Flynn

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)