Don’t Blow Your Top!

PreS-Gr 2–Short sentences create a simple yet effective message in this book that uses volcanoes to illustrate staying calm amid pressures from the outside. Vibrant colors depict Big Volcano sitting behind Little Volcano as a bird drops what appears to be a coconut on Little Volcano’s head. Watching Little Volcano struggle to keep their temper, Big Volcano reminds them to take some deep breaths, count to calm down, and think happy thoughts. This reminder is effective the first time around, but eventually, another coconut incident occurs, and Little Volcano blows their top, having forgotten all the aforementioned strategies. Following the event, Little Volcano learns to shake it off and carry on knowing that next time an unsettling event occurs, they will be prepared. Young children will certainly be able to relate to losing their cool from time to time, as well as the struggle to maintain composure. The cartoon-style illustrations, with simple lines and forms, keep this story firmly in the realm of fiction; this book could be a stepping stone to a lesson on real-life volcanoes and what makes them blow.