In Monnerat and Chalkley’s encouraging picture book for young children, a boy named Milo learns the power of feeling many emotions at once. Milo’s mom has signed him up for summer camp, and he wants to be excited but instead feels nervous. His friend Bobby responds by telling Milo how much fun he had at camp last summer, causing Milo to feel misunderstood. As a result, Milo avoids Bobby for a few days, which gives Bobby time to remember his own initial reluctance about camp. He also recalls the pivotal conversation with a counselor that changed the way he thought about feelings that seemed too big to handle.

This is where the book’s one-word title comes into play. Bobby shares with Milo that people can feel more than one thing at a time—for example, he can be excited and nervous at the same time. This realization frees Milo from trying to sort out his conflicting emotions, which he expresses in a relatable way: “When I tell myself to be excited, I feel scared again, which makes me mad all over.” As Bobby points out, kids aren’t typically taught that they can feel many things at once, so this vital lesson will give readers tools to sort through overwhelming situations in their own lives.

Hopkins’ illustrations use moody, muted hues that complement the subject matter. Many scenes show Milo and Bobby walking along a sidewalk, their confusion or frustration evident on their faces. Some of the most powerful images delve into the characters’ inner worlds—in one instance, Bobby sits dejectedly in a corner while the words “TOO BIG” hover above him, and in another the boys swing from tree limbs while a glowing ampersand bounces between them. The book finishes with activities to help young readers explore their own feelings, making this reassuring story an excellent social-emotional learning tool.

Takeaway: Illuminating story of a boy learning that he can feel many things at once.

Comparable Titles: Britney Winn Lee’s The Boy with Big, Big Feelings, Anna Llenas’s The Color Monster.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A