Puppy in My Head

November 1, 2020
Ollie is only a puppy, and his barefooted child is having trouble soothing and training him. Ollie can get overly excited or very anxious--which wouldn't be such a problem if he wasn't constantly barking inside his person's head! He yaps for no reason and wants to run and jump when he should be calm and quiet. What happens when the puppy controls the child and not the other way around? "AWOOO!" The narrator, who has brown skin and dark brown hair, mirrors the frantic antics of the puppy until the application of mindfulness techniques helps mellow out the two friends. Gravel uses the analogy of an exuberant puppy to help young children get the upper hand on a stressed and anxious mind. The puppy analogy devolves at times to cutesy: "I love Ollie. He's such a good puppy. He is my best friend." Nevertheless, coping mechanisms are effectively introduced. The author demonstrates how the mind can be calmed by using breathing practices--the child calls their breath a "magical leash"--physical exercise, and focus. Gravel's signature black-outlined, comics-style drawings and oversized, colorful text stand out against generous negative space. The golden, long-eared puppy's expressive features (bugged eyes and lolling red tongue) and cavorting, stubby-legged body successfully convey kinetic energy overload. The subtitle's a bit of a misnomer, as anxiety relief rather than mindfulness is the focus, but the advice is sound, buttressed by a brief afterword from a pediatrician. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-17.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.) Every child can benefit from these important strategies. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

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November 23, 2020
This conversational picture book by author-illustrator Gravel winningly imagines anxiety and stress as the first-person narrator’s imaginary puppy, Ollie, who lives in their head. When golden-colored Ollie, a rabbit-eared, big-eyed, high-spirited canine, gets excited, he fills the narrator’s brain with “too much noise,” making it difficult for either to calm down. Luckily, the narrator, a child with light brown skin and dark brown hair, knows just what to do: “I take out my magical leash... my breath.” The narrator also recognizes the efficacy of releasing energy via physical exercise, listening to their feelings, and talking to trusted adults. Gravel’s simple comic-style illustrations and graphic typography pop against monochrome backgrounds, and she succeeds at introducing mindful coping techniques in a way that will appeal to even the youngest readers. Ages 4–8.

December 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 2-Have you ever wondered why it's hard to focus when you are scared, excited, or worried? Gravel explains mindfulness for preschoolers and lower-elementary grades. The narrative is told from the perspective of an unnamed child who has tan skin and brown hair. A puppy named Ollie lives in her head. When Ollie needs to calm down, the narrator describes how she controls her dog using her magical leash. This invisible leash is actually her breath. The narrator practices deep, slow breathing. This is a clever narrative tactic to introduce the concept of mindfulness. The child encourages people to take time to listen and accept themselves (and their inner Ollie). It may sound a little meta for a nonfiction picture book, but, ultimately, thanks in large part to Gravel's signature quirky digital illustrations, it works. The antics of the playful dog are likely to strike a chord with kids, particularly those who struggle to control their emotions. Parents, therapists, and teachers will find the text to be useful in giving children the tools to deal with anxiety. VERDICT Make room for this one-of-a-kind book that explains emotions in a way kids can understand...even if it is a tad abstract.-Jennifer Knight, North Olympic Lib. Syst., Port Angeles, WA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2021
A young child introduces puppy Ollie, who lives in the child's head. When Ollie gets "happy-excited, it's fun." But sometimes Ollie gets too excited, which makes the child upset. Children will recognize that Ollie is a stand-in for big emotions: "If he gets too excited, scared, or upset, he can't listen to me. His FEELINGS control him." Gravel's uncluttered digital illustrations forgo background detail to focus on the two main characters. When Ollie becomes too revved up, the child helps Ollie manage his feelings: "I sit down and take a deep breath. Long, slow, and gentle." By book's end, readers and listeners will feel recharged, as well.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)