Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those rare picture books that works on multiple levels without being cloying about it. Kobi Yamada (who also wrote 'What Do You Do With an Idea?') has figured out how to package genuine emotional intelligence in a format that doesn't make kids feel lectured.

The metaphor is simple but not simplistic: a problem appears, the kid avoids it, it grows, the kid finally faces it, and discovers something unexpected inside. The illustrations do heavy lifting here—Mae Besom's shift from grayscale to color tracks the emotional journey in a way that even pre-readers can follow.

It's particularly great for anxious or avoidant kids who need permission to stop running from what scares them. But it's not a self-help book in disguise—it's genuinely a good story that happens to build resilience. The 4.9 Amazon rating and multiple awards suggest it's hitting the mark with both kids and adults.

One caveat: the ending is deliberately open-ended. The 'gift' inside the problem isn't spelled out, which invites discussion but might frustrate kids (or parents) who want clear answers. That's kind of the point—problems are personal, and solutions aren't one-size-fits-all. But if you're looking for a step-by-step problem-solving guide, this isn't it.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-10, though anxious tweens and even adults will find it resonant. Young kids enjoy the visual story, while older kids and parents appreciate the psychological sophistication. Not really a teen book, but the right 12-year-old might still connect with it.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

Emotionally intelligent approach to facing challenges, models courage and persistence without being preachy. The metaphor of a 'problem' as something that follows you around is developmentally spot-on for how kids actually experience anxiety and avoidance. No toxic positivity—just a gentle nudge toward facing what scares you.

Imaginative

88

The central metaphor—a problem as a physical entity that grows and changes—invites kids to reimagine their relationship with difficulties. Mae Besom's illustrations reportedly shift from muted to colorful as the child confronts the problem, creating a visual journey that mirrors emotional transformation. It's not just about solving problems; it's about seeing them differently.

Safe

98

Picture book with zero content concerns. The 'problem' is abstract and non-threatening—no scary imagery, no mature themes. Perfect for anxious kids who might be extra-sensitive to stressful content. The worst thing here is that a kid might feel seen in an uncomfortable way, which is actually the point.

Enriching

90

Builds genuine emotional resilience and reframing skills. The book doesn't tell kids what their problems are or how to solve them—it models the psychological shift from avoidance to approach. Multiple awards (Christopher Award, National Indie Excellence) confirm it lands with both kids and adults. The 4.9 Amazon rating suggests it actually works in practice, not just in theory.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Gives kids a concrete way to think about abstract problems—the 'problem' literally follows the character around, which is exactly how anxiety feels
Doesn't prescribe solutions, just models the courage to face what you've been avoiding (huge for building genuine resilience)
Illustrations shift from dark/muted to bright/colorful as the story progresses, creating a visual emotional arc kids can track
Works for a huge age range—preschoolers get the basic story, older kids (and adults) appreciate the deeper metaphor
That 4.9 Amazon rating with bestseller status means it's actually landing with families, not just winning awards

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What to Watch For

Some sensitive kids might feel uncomfortable seeing their own avoidance patterns reflected—this is a feature, not a bug, but be ready for feelings
The problem's 'gift' at the end is abstract and open to interpretation, which might frustrate concrete thinkers who want a clear answer
If your kid is in the middle of a big, acute problem (parents divorcing, moving, etc.), this might feel too on-the-nose—or it might be exactly what they need

Conversation Starters

"What do you think the problem looked like to the kid at first? What did it turn out to be?"
"Have you ever had a problem that felt like it was following you around? What was that like?"
"Why do you think the problem got bigger when the kid tried to ignore it?"
"What's something you've been avoiding that might actually have a 'gift' inside it?"
"If your problem had a shape and color, what would it look like?"

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