Mad, Mad, MAD

July 1, 2020
Patricelli's board-book baby with the single sky-high curlicue and rosy cheeks (recently seen in Tooth and Big Kid Bed, both rev. 11/18) confronts the emotions of fear (Scared) and anger (Mad) in typical-preschooler (and reassuring) ways. In Scared, the child tells us: "Doggie is scared of many things," and then proceeds to list common fear-makers -- strangers, loud noises, parents out of view -- while the color-saturated, textured illustrations show who is really afraid. Following a Knuffle Bunny-esque plot twist, everything ends peacefully with child and stuffie safe in bed: "Don't be scared, Doggie. We have each other!" A concluding spread shows "Things that can be scary" and "Things that can help the scary go away." Mad relates, in rhyme, the child's struggles with irrational anger and provides (deep breath) eventual suggestions for self-soothing; this book's concluding spread is "Things that help the mad go away" ("doggies," "friends," "pillow punches," etc.). As always, the baby is endearing (and imperfect and imaginative), the struggles are relatable, and the solutions offered are at least worth a try.

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