Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! Today’s featured book is written by a dear author friend of mine, Jolene Gutierrez – we are in several #kidlit groups together – and I even met her in person when I did a book event in 2019 at Second Star to the Right in Denver, Colorado. Her newest book is going to help so many kids and the adults who care about them. And later in the blog post, Jolene is going to share a bit of the back story, plus make sure you leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of TOO MUCH! An Overwhelming Day!

TOO MUCH: AN OVERWHELMING DAY

Written by Jolene Gutierrez

Illustrated by Angel Chang

Published by Abrams Appleseed (August 1, 2023)

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Sensory Processing Disorder, self-calming techniques, embracing who you are

Synopsis: From Amazon:
A reassuring rhyming picture book about sensory overload and what you can do when everything is too much

When feelings go on overload,
I pause and breathe
and all is . . . slowed.

Sometimes everything is too much! Too loud, too bright, and all too overwhelming. Writing from her own experience with sensory processing disorder, award-winning teacher-librarian Jolene Gutiérrez’s compassionate picture book explores the struggles of a sensorily sensitive child and how they settle themselves. Joined by Angel Chang’s beautiful color illustrations, young readers will learn that it’s OK if some days are too much.

An extensive author’s note to caregivers and educators explores sensory systems, sensory processing issues, and specific information about how to support kids with overstimulated nervous systems as they learn to soothe themselves.

Why I Love This Book:
1. Sparse, lyrical, rhyming text is calming and empowering – this is a perfect read-aloud.
2. The illustrations are GLORIOUS – the vibrant colors help create each mood – from overwhelmed to winding down.
3. I love books that help children feel seen and heard – and that are interactive, providing the child reader with actionable steps to take when things get to be TOO MUCH!

I know we always appreciate hearing about an author’s connection with a story…here are a few words from Jolene:
JOLENE: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is something that I didn’t know I had until we were figuring out why my daughter was struggling in Elementary school. As I learned more about SPD, I remembered all the times in my childhood (and adulthood) when I’ve been overwhelmed by various sensory input. My daughter’s a grown, successful person now, but I still carry the “what if?” in my mind—would her life have been better if I had known earlier about SPD? If I had known that I also had SPD and could teach my daughter how to best care for herself? So this book is shared with the world in the hopes that it’ll help caregivers and children explore their own sensory needs and/or to allow them to come from a place of compassion when they see others who are overwhelmed.

Thank you so much, Jolene! And you also provided a link to teacher/caregiver guide – a gift for everyone:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jMzQ0wxnPZEG5GEaa—XOzLan5TSjrA/view

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
There are a bunch of wonderful activities right on the back cover of the book

Dear friends, the best way we can help books that we love is to
Review the book on Amazon and Goodreads
Buy the book:
You can order your copy here: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/too-much_9781419764264/
or you can get your personalized copy here: https://secondstartotherightbooks.com/book/signs1419764264
Tell friends about it – please share on social media.
Ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection.

To find out more about Jolene and her books:

Jolene Gutiérrez grew up on a farm in northeastern Colorado, surrounded by animals, plants, and history. She is an award-winning teacher-librarian and has been working with diverse learners at Denver Academy since 1995. She’s a wife of 25 years and a mama to two young adults, three dogs, two cats, and an ever-rotating variety of other rescue animals. Jolene is an active member of SCBWI, The Author’s Guild, and KidLitCollective, and a co-creator of #KidlitZombieWeek and the Picture Book Gold group. Jolene is represented by agent Kaitlyn Sanchez of Bradford Literary. She’s a contributor to If I Could Choose a Best Day: Poems of Possibility (Candlewick, 2025) and the author of Mamiachi and Me (Abrams/Appleseed, 2024, co-authored with her son Dakota), The Ofrenda That We Built (Chronicle, 2024, co-authored with her daughter Shaian), Too Much! An Overwhelming Day (Abrams/Appleseed, 2023), the Stars of Latin Pop series (Rourke, 2021), Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs, and Beaks (Lerner, 2020), and Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader (Clear Fork/Spork 2020). Find her online at www.jolenegutierrez.com, linktr.ee/writerjolene, or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/writerjolene), Twitter (https://twitter.com/writerjolene), or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/writerjolene/).

And remember, please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of TOO MUCH! An Overwhelming Day.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!