Gloria's Big Problem

by Sarah Stiles Bright, Mike Deas (Illustrator)

Overview

Gloria loves to sing, dance, and act in her bedroom, but not in public. No way. Gloria’s big problem makes sure of that, following her wherever she goes and constantly reminding her that she’s anxious and frightened, that she’s not good enough, and that everyone will laugh at her. Anxious Gloria worries all the time, about everything. Until, one day, Gloria summons all her courage to try out for a community theater production. She marches herself to the audition, and her big problem marches right in behind her. She gets up on stage, and her big problem takes a seat in the front row and starts to laugh at her. And then at last she yells “STOP!”, and her big problem shrinks to a little problem, and Gloria wins a part in the play.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780884487395
Publisher:	Tilbury House Publishers
Publication date:	01/07/2020
Pages:	36
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	980L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Sarah Stiles Bright teaches college English and writes from Portland, Maine. Her deep appreciation for place, wildness, and the restorative power of the land and sea—along with her love of playful teaching—underlies much of her current writing, including essays and a children’s story based on Passamaquoddy legend. She lives with her Bernese mountain dog and has two grown children who are resoundingly present in Gloria.

Mike Deas (Salt Spring Island, British Columbia) worked as a concept artist, texture artist, and art lead in the video game industry in England and California before returning to his native Canada. He is the illustrator of The Buddy Bench, Gloria’s Big Problem, and Calvin Gets the Last Word.

Editorial Reviews

12/02/2019

Gloria’s “Problem” is a huge green beast in polka-dot boxer shorts. This goofy-looking lout holds enormous power over the child: it’s the manifestation of her crippling anxiety and self-doubt. If Gloria tries to venture out independently in the world, the Problem starts “speaking very LOUDLY in her ear,” writes Bright; Deas portrays the ensuing panic attack as an almost biblical confluence of natural catastrophes. When the community theater holds auditions for a musical, Gloria, who loves to sing, decides enough is enough—even a panic attack (the theater turns blood-red) can’t hold her back. “STOP!” she screams at the Problem, and it immediately shrinks; she nails the audition, and even inspires another kid to stand up to his own, purple Problem. There’s a lot of empathy and solidarity in these pages, and a clear message to families to take anxiety seriously (Gloria’s parents are kindly but dismissive; her brother calls her “a fruitcake”), but having Gloria take full responsibility for what is clearly an overwhelming issue may not offer help to those who need it most. Ages 6–8. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

"If ever there was a time when kid’s anxiety might be heightened, it’s now, so what better book to help children with their worries than this clever little story about a girl called Gloria."

Gloria's Big Problem - GoodToKnow - Zoe West

"Gloria’s Big Problem addresses the anxieties, fears and worries of children with real sympathy and understanding. With its vivid and lively illustrations full of brilliant detail, the reader will sympathize and identify with Gloria’s problem, which could so easily be a problem of their own. Both reassuring and understanding, this book will help any child defeat the big green monster."

Gloria's Big Problem - Armadillo - Gwen Grant

01/01/2020

Gr 1–3—Gloria Marvel has a problem. A really big problem that follows her wherever she goes. When Gloria wants to try new things—a sleepover with her friend, singing at a birthday party or trying out for a school show—her Problem is always there. It tells her about earthquakes and blizzards and other terrible things that could happen if she tries anything new. It's enough to persuade Gloria not to try different things. Nobody else can hear or see her Problem. She tries to talk to her big brother about it, but he only laughs at her in front of other kids. Her parents don't seem to pay attention when she goes to them for help. She even tries to tell her Problem to go away, but it grows bigger and speaks even louder in her ears. Gloria must find a way to deal with her Problem herself and possibly find a way to help others. This is a great book for children who are dealing with issues similar to Gloria's. It's unfortunate that her family doesn't listen to her, but Gloria finds the strength to deal with it. Although Problem is a problem, it is depicted as a large green beast that is more annoying than scary. VERDICT Children will benefit from this humorous, gentle treatment of anxiety and will cheer for Gloria's ability to find her voice.—Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA

School Library Journal

2019-11-10
Gloria's capital-P Problem hounds her with worries and makes her feel small.

Gloria Marvel loves to sing, and, in the privacy of her home, she's expressive and exuberant. But her Problem's bellow drowns her out if she tries to sing in public. Deas depicts Gloria's ever present Problem as a large, hairy, green-striped, troll-like monster with polka-dot shorts. No one else can see Gloria's Problem, and when she tries to talk about it, people either dismiss or ridicule her. She really wants to audition for a play at the community theater, but her Problem howls in her ear so she can't think. It makes Gloria so mad that she finally yells at it to "STOP!" The Problem immediately shrinks, and, though it's still present, she auditions with confidence. Brown-skinned Gloria goes to church and lives in a multiethnic neighborhood. Pages are text heavy, but the illustrations, in watercolor shades and heavy, inked lines, encapsulate the scene essentials. The book accurately depicts the way that anxiety often makes some outlandish what-ifs seem very probable and small things seem just as devastating. It also makes the case for Gloria's family and friends to treat her needs seriously, and it emphasizes that although she sometimes feels "bonkers," she definitely isn't. In the collection of books that conceptualize mental conditions, this one respects the afflicted protagonist and politely insists that others should as well.

Sensitive and emotionally realistic. (Picture book. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews