Open AccessWhat Do You Do With A Problem? by K. Yamada
Author(s) -
Sherry Murugan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the deakin review of children's literature
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1927-1484
DOI - 10.20361/g2vg88
Subject(s) - feeling , narrative , psychology , white (mutation) , face (sociological concept) , aesthetics , psychoanalysis , social psychology , art , literature , linguistics , philosophy , biochemistry , chemistry , gene
Yamada, Kobi. What Do You Do With A Problem?, illustrated by Mae Besom. Compendium, 2016.This second collaboration of Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom offers children and adults alike some advice on how to deal with the universal task of dealing with a problem. The story follows the struggle of a child who encounters a problem that just won’t go away. It is through the child’s narrative that we, immerse ourselves. We can feel this struggle, the immense pains and terrifying feelings because all humans big and small have all dealt with the same question “What do you do with a Problem?” Fortunately, Yamada offers readers a solution. Like with many things in life, we must face it. Once the child finds the courage to tackle the problem, it becomes something other than what the child first imagined it to be.The illustrations by Mae Besom beautifully capture the feelings and emotions that are present when someone finds themselves in the throes of a problem. The illustrator’s combination of pencil and water colours create strong images of the struggles and emotions that are displayed in the book. Her use of line and her specific use of colour in contrast with white space alerts the reader to the change in the problem solving stages, one of frustration and struggle to resolution.While this picture book has an intended audience of children ages 5 to 12, the story itself and the lesson learned will resonate with all children and the young at heart.What Do You Do with a Problem? would be an excellent addition to libraries and home collections.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Sherry MuruganSherry is a Graduate student in the department of Elementary Education. She is a mother of two and an elementary school teacher who loves to share stories with her children and students.