What to Do When You're Not Sure What to Do

by Davina Bell, Hilary Jean Tapper (Illustrator)

It might not be how you imagined . . . at first.Find a you-shaped space.Let yourself!Another warm and whimsical guide to negotiating life's little and big moments, What to Do When You're Not Sure What to Do focuses on situations outside a child's home and domestic realm where they might feel unsure. It's another gentle exploration of empathy, courage and confidence from award-winning and much-loved author Davina Bell and with beautiful, heartwarming illustrations by Hilary Jean Tapper.'A compassionate guide for children navigating unfamiliar situations and emotions . . . Bell's text interplays tenderly with Tapper's vignettes, spotlighting significant everyday moments and challenges . . . The book imparts strategies without being didactic' THE GUARDIAN, Best Australian Children's Books of 2023

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Kids

Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2023

About the author

Davina Bell is a writer for young people of many ages, and a children’s book editor. Her award-winning and Notable picture books include All the Ways To Be Smart, All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors, Under the Love Umbrella, The Underwater Fancy-dress Parade, Oh Albert! and Hattie Helps Out. She is also the author of the Alice books in Penguin’s best-selling Our Australian Girl series, the Lemonade Jones series of Junior Fiction, and the Corner Park Clubhouse series (Middle Grade). Her debut young-adult novel will be published in June 2020.

Having been a Senior Editor at Penguin Books, she now works on the children’s list at Affirm Press in Melbourne. A lover of words and ideas in many forms, Davina regularly travels the country, speaking to children and adults about books and writing. The magic of picture books continues to enchant her.

Reviews

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

uplifting 💜

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, adorable book with some great life advice on how to deal with various situations.

As far as diversity, the children have various skin tones (though none are very dark) and different body types (there are even a couple of chubby kids, who are not very common in picture books). There is also a child who wears glasses, and one who has a limb difference.

Hmm, I think almost every page would require a little discussion about observing what's going on and why they're doing what they're doing, so this may be best as a one-on-one book.

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quiet, gentle, encouraging book. It isn't all about what to do when you're not sure what to do, but most of the sayings are applicable and good. This is a good bedtime book, and is also a book that you can read with your little one and have conversations about what the child or children are doing.

I really enjoyed the illustrations! Well done there.

I would happily add this book to my personal library.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

Pretty, delicate illustrations. Uplifting text but no real story/message. The book has little life suggestions paired with matching illustrations. It seems more like a book that an adult would find interesting than a book a child would pick out. Not a priority purchase for me school library.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be better suited to a lapsit reading, then a large storytime or classroom setting, as it is, instead of a story, just a string of suggestions with cute pictures. Nice but not my cup of tea.

Themes: making decisions
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2023

[Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book - cover to cover glorious art and sentiment

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning art and a lovely message.

[Jennifer R. Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for times of uncertainty and to build confidence in your kids.

[Victoria Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect baby or toddler birthday gift.

[Sassygirl87 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely way of showing how to do what or what not to do when you're not sure.

[Emily Haage · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Conversation starter for kiddos who experience anxiety, shyness, or overwhelm.

Sweet, gentle, and encouraging.

[Sarah BT]

Sweet with great illustrations. It's one of those picture books that provide a good starting point for conversations or new grad encouragement for the future.

[Y.Poston]

a delightful book of mindfulness

[Bant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

a sweet, encouraging book