In a world that’s often busy, distracting, and confusing, Sullivan and Bahr’s inspiring and heartfelt picture book for children feels not only soothing but necessary. The story introduces an idealized realm where everyone is happy and gets along, but only until they experience a “great forgetting”—they “forget how to have fun and be glad” and now spend their days “feeling upset and mad.” Behind the bad vibes is a grumpy insect-looking creature called Pea Brain, who delivers pessimistic thoughts in the form of bubbles labeled with phrases like “nobody likes you” or “you’re not good enough.” This discord prompts the peace-keeping Harmony Animals to seek out the storied Wise One, who summons Chip the chipmunk to “help bring the gloom in the world to an end.”

Despite being a chosen one, Chip experiences relatable moments of self-doubt over what he must do, lamenting the dangers of the journey itself and that he’s not strong enough to defeat Pea Brain. Ultimately Chip embraces his inner power, and in a clever touch literally pops his own negative thought bubbles with the tip of his finger. By drawing attention to the dishonest origins of such harmful inner messages, Chip is able to help others turn away from fear and stay “calm and peaceful and centered.” For most kids, feelings of uncertainty and inadequacy start shockingly young, so this message of mindfulness will help them recognize and overcome these destructive lies.

Wendy Lorenzana’s beautiful, zen-like illustrations seem to glow from within, radiating a sense of possibility and magic. The Harmony Animals’ eyes are wide and expressive and their faces appealingly calm and friendly as they frolic on grassy hillsides and commune with the Wise One, a tree person adorned with leaves and feathery moss. By contrast, Pea Brain’s dark world is filled with people frowning, yelling, and crying. This stark contrast in moods makes it all the more rewarding when the characters’ focus shifts back to spreading love—to others and themselves.

Takeaway: A chipmunk helps people overcome negative thoughts and learn to spread love.

Comparable Titles: Bonnie Clark’s Catching Thoughts, Jennifer A. Swenson’s Chirp!: Chipmunk Sings for a Friend.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A