Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Incredible all-ages approach to managing fear and anxiety.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
One day, nothing in a child's life seemed to be going right. So the child decided to go left, and left their worries on the ground and walked away. Then they left their doubts, their frustrations, and other feelings of anxiety right on the ground and walked away to try something they hadn't succeeded at before. When they return to their doubts and worries, they see that the load is much smaller and more manageable than before.
Is It Any Good?
This beautiful picture book is a treasure for all ages that encourages readers to acknowledge their worries and fears and offers a healthy way to manage them. When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left affirms a child's feelings of worry, doubt, and fear and reminds them that they can put down those feelings temporarily. The message isn't about pretending the feelings don't exist but rather about taking time to get perspective. The immersive illustrations cover every page, and as the child's mood lightens so do the colors on the page. This is a wonderful book full of simple wisdom that can have a profound impact on the way readers manage their feelings.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what feelings they're carrying like the child in When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left. What has been on your mind?
What do you think about setting down your doubts and worries and picking them up again later? Do you think that's easy or hard?
How can we help each other when one of us feels like things aren't going right?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Peter H. Reynolds
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Adventures
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Orchard Books
- Publication date : March 7, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Hardback, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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