Kirkus Review
A trip to the aquarium prompts a little girl to overcome a big obstacle. "Every morning, Camila's what if worries show up uninvited and follow her out the door." When her teacher announces an upcoming field trip, Camila spends the week fretting. When she finally arrives at the aquarium, she goes to find a quiet spot for a break--only to discover a classmate also taking a moment away. Kai desperately wants to see the aquarium's stingray but is scared and asks Camila for help. She decides to step up instead of sinking into her own anxiety. After accompanying Kai to the stingray exhibit, Camila "bravely keeps on trying--in both big and little ways," such as giving a class presentation on octopuses and joining a game of hide-and-seek. The text is empathetic toward Camila, never judging her anxiety while also showing ways to reduce it. Barton's soft, muted illustrations are calming but still convey the characters' strong emotions. The backmatter includes discussion questions and recommended reading for kids; however, though it seems likely that Camila has an anxiety disorder, there are no resources for adults on helping children deal with anxiety. Camila has tan skin and straight black hair cropped just below her ears. Her classmates have a range of skin tones from pale and sandy to light brown. A few classmates have textured hair, and Kai appears to be Asian. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A reassuring primer on coping with anxiety. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Camila tends to withdraw into herself when she's worried about doing something wrong, having no one to play with at recess, or making mistakes in front of others. Often intimidated by what-if scenarios, she doesn't see herself as brave, but the narrator assures us that she is, though she hasn't realized it yet. On a field trip to the aquarium, she feels overwhelmed until she discovers a kindred soul. Her classmate Kai is fascinated by stingrays but afraid to approach their tank. When he asks Camila for help, she agrees, overcoming her fears and making a friend. In the final scene, she's back at school, confidently making a presentation about octopuses to her class. The simply written text uses terms familiar to children, from the first double-page spread, in which a group of children are playing hide-and-seek and Camila "just wants to hide." Cloudlike blue-and-white clusters often appear within the expressive illustrations when Camila's emotions take control. Another sensitive picture book from the creators of The Invisible Boy (2013) and Quiet Please, Owen McPhee! (2018).
