This upbeat approach to managing feelings of upset and frustration—be grateful!—is presented with clarity and warmth. Adults should not expect the book to address major or systemic reasons to be upset, or the possibility that sometimes people just need to be upset and feel those feelings. Instead, the book is laser-focused on how to handle minor daily upsetting events that a younger audience is likely to find resonant, and in that it succeeds admirably, presenting a method of working through those feelings, while taking care to validate children and reassuring them that, yes, little things can feel like big things—and that that’s a normal reaction.
Best suited for young kids still learning about emotions and how to work through them safely and in a healthy way, and perhaps may need occasional reminders, Billy Gets Bummed Out meets both Billy and the reader where they’re at and offers an option for how changing mindset can change mood. Utilizing superheroes and vibrant illustrations makes sure to engage the young audience and keep them interested. Useful as a resource for both parents and teachers, Baldwin successfully provides a neat and tidy case study in managing emotions from simple inconveniences, and shows kids that they do have some control over their emotions if they have the tools.
Takeaway: A succinct lesson on gratitude and managing emotions.
Great for fans of: Tom Percival’s Ravi's Roar, Allison Edwards’s Marcy's Having All the Feels
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
