Neat Nick's Big Mess

by Chad Otis

Overview

A rambunctious pet dog helps an introverted, anxious boy leave his comfort zone in this endearing and very funny picture book.

Nick has always been neat. That’s what makes him comfortable. Any kind of mess or noise or other havoc makes him anxious, and often that means he chooses to be alone in his own carefully controlled bedroom. But suddenly a big, drooly, energetic dog has joined the family, and as much as he tries there’s nothing Nick can do to control the doggy mess. And so, he decides he would rather avoid the pup altogether. Or would he?

This story of coping with anxiety and learning how to compromise is as big-hearted and laugh-filled as it is delightfully messy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593530665
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	18 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Chad Otis received his BFA in design from the University of Washington and then worked with Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney, Mattel, Hasbro, Nintendo, and DreamWorks for over twenty years as an animator, illustrator, and creative director. He now devotes himself to writing and illustrating children’s books. He lives with his wife in Boise, Idaho.

Editorial Reviews

"Otis imparts a gentle lesson that letting go of some control can be good. The mixed-media illustrations depict neat, carefully composed scenes, while others explode with raggedy swirls; whether readers prefer order or mayhem, they’ll enjoy this tale. Thoughtful and empathetic." —Kirkus

From the Publisher

2024-03-23
A dog challenges a young boy’s need for tidiness.

Nick is super, super neat, and has been all his life. If something is messy, he just has to fix it. Of course, there are some things Nick can’t change, such as other people’s untidy clothes, odd smells, or loud noises. Often, Nick prefers to be on his own, where he can keep things just so, until he starts to feel lonely. One day, Nick’s parents bring home a surprise—a huge, floppy-eared, bushy-tailed, covered-in-leaves-and-slobber, reddish-brown dog! After the initial shock, Nick sets out to “fix it” by giving the loving dog a vigorous bath and hair trim. The two of them go to sleep all neat and tidy, but the next morning, the pooch is somehow a mess again. Soon, the chaos gets to be too much for Nick, but he discovers that “there’s nothing neater than love.” Nick appears to have an anxiety disorder, though that's never explicitly mentioned. His story could have come across as saccharine, but his happy ending feels genuinely earned. The dog is obviously enamored with Nick from the start, and Nick eventually reciprocates. Otis imparts a gentle lesson that letting go of some control can be good. Some of the mixed-media illustrations depict neat, carefully composed scenes, while others explode with raggedy swirls; whether readers prefer order or mayhem, they’ll enjoy this tale. Nick and his parents are tan-skinned, while background human characters are racially diverse.

Thoughtful and empathetic. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews