I Am Stuck

by Julia Mills, Julia Mills (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Charming art, a meaningful message and ample humor make this story a rewarding social-emotional learning experience that will both entertain and stimulate young readers.

A tender (and humorous!) look at the way tough emotions can make us feel stuck and how the presence of a good friend and a deep belly laugh can make it easier to get through stormy feelings. Complete with back matter to help stuck readers feel better through noticing, smelling, talking, and taking a deep breath, this is a perfect pick for those who loved Grumpy Monkey and The Rabbit Listened.

“Stuck?” asks Duck. Yep, Turtle is flipped over on his shell and can’t seem to get un-stuck. Duck suggests wiggling his feet, Kangaroo wants him to wag his tail, and Armadillo says rolling into a ball always does the trick. But Turtle is STILL. STUCK.

Is there anyone who can help? 

This wise and humorous story reminds us that when we’re feeling down, sometimes what we need most is a friend by our side—and a deep belly laugh—to help us get back on our feet again. 

• A social-emotional learning story about how to navigate frustrating emotions.
• Features a sweet and funny friendship.
• Charming artwork depicts adorable, instantly lovable characters.
• Includes tips for practicing mindfulness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780358695332
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/26/2023
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	61,849
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

When Julia Mills was six years old, she discovered that there were many pictures of cats in the “C” volume of the encyclopedia. She attempted to draw and paint every single one and has been making art ever since. Julia is an author, illustrator, and public school art teacher. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two kids.

When Julia Mills was six years old, she discovered that there were many pictures of cats in the “C” volume of the encyclopedia. She attempted to draw and paint every single one and has been making art ever since. Julia is an author, illustrator, and public school art teacher. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two kids.

Editorial Reviews

"Mills’ bright, cartoonish watercolors are enticing. The help of a good friend resolves a sticky situation in this sweet tale." — Kirkus Reviews

"The possum’s comforting companionship will convince even the youngest child that sometimes just being with a friend in trouble can help." — School Library Journal

"This makes an easy pick for a social/emotional lesson storytime. A sweet look at pals supporting each other."
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

From the Publisher

07/01/2023

K-Gr 2—Charmingly simple illustrations show a turtle on its back, clearly in trouble. In a first-person narration, it describes that it is stuck, and advice from a passing duck to wiggle its feet does not help because, of course, a turtle is not a duck stuck in water. A kangaroo suggests wagging its tail and demonstrates how that helps a stuck kangaroo; once again, this advice is of no use to the turtle. The armadillo's advice is just as moot. A possum skips the advice and keeps the turtle company while the hero of the piece solves the problem. The storytelling is on the luxurious side; despite a spare use of words, the point is clear by the second encounter. However, the possum's comforting companionship will convince even the youngest child that sometimes just being with a friend in trouble can help. VERDICT A slight but effective piece, this book gains strength from truly funny cartoons and a heartfelt message of friendship.—Jennifer LaBurre

School Library Journal

2023-06-08
It stinks to be stuck.

Turtle is stuck on their back, unable to flip over. “Try wiggling your feet,” advises Duck—nope. Still stuck. “Try wagging your tail,” Kangaroo suggests—nope again. Armadillo says that rolling in a ball might work—Turtle tries…but rolls ALL the way over and is stuck again. Possum wonders if Turtle is playing possum, but Turtle says no. “It doesn’t hurt. But I feel scared, frustrated, and alone.” Possum flops over with Turtle. They smell honeysuckle. They hear a bird singing. They watch clouds together. Turtle feels a bit better, but then it rains. Now, Turtle is cold and wet…“but I don’t feel stuck.” Possum says, “I feel like my butt fell asleep.” And the duo giggle so hard, they both flip over. They discover being stuck is not so bad when you’re together. Mills’ tale is incredibly similar to Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar’s The Roar (2022), right down to the ultimate solution: laughter. In Mills’ story, it’s a possum that helps a turtle (rather than a hedgehog aiding a tortoise), and different animals weigh in on the protagonist’s plight. Though it may seem redundant to have two such similar titles, both offer (the same) good advice to young listeners. Mills’ bright, cartoonish watercolors are enticing; the book concludes with three suggestions for readers who feel metaphorically “stuck.” (This book was reviewed digitally.)

The help of a good friend resolves a sticky situation in this sweet tale. (Picture book. 2-7)

Kirkus Reviews