What Do You Do With a Problem? — New York Times best seller

by Kobi Yamada

Other authorsMae Besom (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 2016

Status

Available

Series

What Do You Do... (2)

Collection

Picture books

Publication

Compendium Inc (2016), Edition: Reprint, 36 pages

Description

"What do you do with a problem? Especially one that follows you around and doesn't seem to be going away? Do you worry about it? Ignore it? Do you run and hide from it? This is the story of a persistent problem and the child who isn't so sure what to make of it. The longer the problem is avoided, the bigger it seems to get. But when the child finally musters up the courage to face it, the problem turns out to be something quite different than it appeared. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who has ever had a problem that they wished would go away. It's a story to inspire you to look closely at that problem and to find out why it's here. Because you might discover something amazing about your problem and yourself. What are problems for? They challenge us, shape us, push us, and help us to discover just how strong and brave and capable we really are. Even though we don't always want them, problems have a way of bringing unexpected gifts. So, what will you do with your problem?"--Provided by publisher.… (more)

Media reviews

compendium incorporated

This book is about a kid that has a problem, which follows him around like a storm cloud. He avoids and avoids the problem and it keeps getting larger and larger. Eventually the kid sinks into a deep depression and never wants to get out of bed. He decides to tackle the problem, and it cracks open

and gold light spills out because "every problem has an opportunity for something good."

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User reviews

LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26

Author Kobi Yamada and illustrator Mae Besom, whose previous picture-book collaboration, What Do You Do With an Idea? was a surprise best-seller, return with this second inspirational tale. A young boy, troubled by a problem that he cannot seem to get rid of, finds that his avoidance of dealing

with it only causes it to grow larger and more threatening. Finally, upon deciding that he simply must do something about it, he discovers that his problem has a hidden blessing: it provides an opportunity.

As with its predecessor, I really liked the way that text and illustration worked together in What Do You Do With a Problem?, appreciating both the changes in color scheme - as the boy moves from avoidance to accepting and dealing with his problem, the palette changes from a fairly dreary black, white and gray, to a more vibrant and colorful range of hues - and the way that the problem itself is depicted as a black cloud following the boy. Although by no means an original idea, the use of the cloud, and the way that it grows as the boy ignores it, was well done, communicating visually the message that the text is also working to impart. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed Yamada and Besom's previous foray into picture-books, or who is looking for stories about problem-solving for young children.

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LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco

Wow! A beautiful book with a beautiful message! Problems, and opportunities! I almost think everyone, everywhere should be required to read this! Seriously! Thanks for the recommendation Vicki!

LibraryThing member Whisper1

I very much liked this creative book both for the writing and the excellent illustrations. The boy in the story has obsessive compulsive traits which lead him to circle constantly around a problem. The more he worries, the worse the problem becomes in his mind. Focusing on the problem while trying

to make it go away isn't successful.

Finally, meeting the problem head own provides solutions.

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LibraryThing member raizel

This optimistic, postive book is one of those that is even more relevant to adults than young children. Alas, while I will admit that some problems are really challenges that can inspire us to do great things, I believe there are some problems that just get worse the more you examine them---and

then you die. When it comes to some growth experiences, I'd rather be short.

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LibraryThing member sweetiegherkin

The main character in this book has a problem that follows him around, making him feel like it will swallow him whole. At first he tries to hide from it before he realizes that inside the problem is something great -- an opportunity.

This lovely book doesn't offer any concrete problem or solution,

instead allowing children to identify generally with the idea of something worrisome plaguing them before offering up hope by noting that problems often provide us with a chance to learn or grow. Some of the words used in the book (specifically "opportunity") may be a little over the head of the youngest readers, but I think this book would work well with elementary school-age children and even some older preschoolers. A parent or teacher can extend the lesson by asking children about problems they have encountered and how they fixed them.

The illustrations are quite lovely -- it's a fairly muted palette, with much darker colors used when the problem is looming and then brighter (but still subdued) colors emerging when the opportunity arises. The drawings themselves are sort of sketch-like but with a little more detail than that. The effect is quite lovely.

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LibraryThing member kmann63

I really enjoyed the illustrations and ideas about problem solving. I also shared this book with our school counselor and she loves it. She uses it with her small groups to talk about problems and think about strategies to be able to solve them.

LibraryThing member DonnaMarieMerritt

Seemed much too philosophical and abstract for little ones. Maybe if the author had actually stated the character's problem? The line between literal and figurative is confusing. I might use this for a group discussion with middle/high school students.

LibraryThing member NHPS

Problem that is worried about eventually becomes an opportunity.

LibraryThing member bxr032

Kobi Yamada really makes you think about how one can face a problem with a positive attitude. This book allows you to think outside of the box.

LibraryThing member TiffanyNicole67

Worry and fear are two things that make any problem, big or small, grow into something you could have never imagined. In this book, the main character shows us that any and all problems have a purpose, and that is to build you up and encourage you. This book is a good story for all classrooms, all

students face problems in their life and this book shows them to face their problems straight on and find the light at the end of the tunnel.

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LibraryThing member Linyarai

I read this for the "Written In First Person" part of my 2020 reading challenge. I thought it was really well done, and a great, helpful message to children. I really liked the art style as well.

LibraryThing member Salsabrarian

A child has a problem they don't want and want to make go away. It doesn't go away and soon the child is worrying about it and trying to avoid it, until they realize what they can do is face the problem and find the opportunity for good.

LibraryThing member ms_rowse

I haven't bought children's books to use in my classroom for years now, but I bought this one to read to my newspaper staff on the first day of school. So good.

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