What Do You Do With a Problem?
By Kobi Yamada
The Story
A child is followed by a strange, shadowy problem that grows bigger the longer it's avoided — until finally facing it changes everything.
Why It's Special
For the kid who'd rather hide under the covers than deal with what's bothering them, this book gently shows that facing the hard thing is braver than running from it.
- Big idea: Problems avoided grow bigger, but problems faced can turn into unexpected gifts.
- Vibes: quiet, thoughtful, and encouraging, with a hopeful turn near the end
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working on facing fears instead of avoiding them
- tend to worry or dwell on small setbacks
- respond well to quiet, reflective stories with a hopeful message
- enjoy imaginative, symbolic illustrations
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What happened to the problem the longer the child tried to avoid it?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think the child felt when the problem kept following them around?
- Real-life connection: Has a problem of yours ever felt bigger the longer you ignored it?
- Imagination: What do you think the problem in this story actually looked like?
- Courage & growth: What do you think the child discovered about themselves after facing the problem?
