For kids encountering the pressure to fit in with peers, this picture-book story explores a concept that is key to how much is enough?
How many friends, turns, clothes, toys, fashion accessories, books? How much of anything? The pictures follow one child as she learns the difference between wanting and needing and, in the end, feels the contentment that flows from being satisfied with what she has. The text, meanwhile, frames a difficult idea in simple, spare “Somewhere between a little and a lot, there is Enough. It might be hard to spot, but it’s always there.”
Jessica Whipple writes for adults and children from her home in Lancaster, PA. Her debut picture book titled ENOUGH IS... will be published spring 2023 by Tilbury House, and another titled I THINK I THINK A LOT is forthcoming from Free Spirit Publishing. To see more of her work, purchase her books, or host her at your school (virtually or in-person!), visit AuthorJessicaWhipple.com.
In a Nutshell: A brilliant picture book that focusses on the importance of ‘Enough’.
In a life that is dictated by ‘More’ and ‘Most’, and where every decision is dominated by ‘Want’ rather than ‘Need’, we have forgotten that there is something called ‘Enough’. But is Enough really enough in today’s world where we are spoilt for choice and bombarded with ‘New’ and ‘Better’ products everywhere we look and go? This book subtly tries to remind us of the relevance of ‘Enough’ and getting the difference between an ‘I want’ and an ‘I need’.
The content works on two levels. We have the beautiful prose, reiterating the importance of Enough and stressing that Enough doesn’t mean Less. Furthermore, we have the illustrations that narrates a story parallel to but not the same as the text. They depict a little girl who is surrounded by friends who have plenty while she has to be content with enough. Does she realise that she has enough, or will she keep wanting more from her mother?
This is an amazing book, and so relevant to modern times. With so many parents using material gifts as a substitute for their time and presence, this comes as a timely reminder to both parent and child that less can be more, and enough can be enough.
The story becomes a bit too abstract at times, with some sentences being too convoluted for young kids. However, as it offers several avenues for discussion, I hope the high comprehension requirement won’t stand in the way of imbibing the message. The ending was a bit too abrupt for my liking; I turned the page wanting more, which was kinda ironic after reading a book about being satisfied with ‘Enough.’
The illustrations were nice, with the artwork being in sombre pastel shades that worked well in sync with the words. Moreover, there are hidden bears and bunnies on almost every page. Kids will have a lot of fun looking for the hidden animals, and hopefully they will happily find ‘enough’, wink wink!
Definitely recommended despite my misgivings about the ending. This is a message every little one and their parent ought to remember, the importance of ‘wants’ vs. ‘needs’ and of being happy with ‘enough.’ I will certainly look forward to more works by this debut author.
The book is intended for readers aged 6-8 years.
4.5 stars.
My thanks to Tilbury House Publishers and Edelweiss+ for the DRC of “Enough is”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
This is such an important idea that I had never seen in a picture book before. Jessica Whipple does a great job making a complicated and abstract idea tangible, and Nicole Wong's art is as soft and inviting as the cozy sweater that stretches to be just enough.
Making this abstract concept concrete, especially in our "gimme gimme more" world, and done in such a gentle way is needed. I appreciated being able to share this with my son.
A lyrical, thoughtful explanation of the abstract concept of "enough."
This richly illustrated picture book is Whipple's children's lit debut. In lovely, concise text that speaks directly to the reader, a child and parent walk through the day experiencing situations that raise the question: what makes something *enough?* While it might be obvious that one snack or three jump ropes are fitting, it is harder to wrangle just the right amount of "fireworks," "promises," and "hopes," the text points out. Wong's illustrations not only complement the story, but help expand readers' understanding. One powerfully-drawn scene shows parent and child dashing into a thrift shop, while "Better Market" and "Fancy Clothes" beckon from across the street. "More is so loud and pushy and Most beats down your door, but Enough whispers, 'I have all I need.'" The illustrations include details that enhance without overwhelming: chalk drawings on the playground, splatters of rain off a puddle, characters' faces full of nuanced expressions. The parent and child that the story centers on are drawn as non-white and there are many people of color represented across the pages.
Whipple explains an important, knotty concept with poetic ease while Wong's compelling illustrations buoy the story. This book would be best appreciated by children ages 4-8 and their caregivers.
I was gifted an advance review copy of this title. All opinions in this review are my own.
Do you know the warm, wonderful feeling you get when you give a gift? If you could capture that feeling and condense it into a picture book, you'd end up with Enough Is...
In a world of targeted advertising and algorithmic marketing, this book is the fresh air we've all been yearning for without necessarily knowing it. I got goosebumps reading it, and immediately re-read it upon finishing. It nearly made me cry.
Jessica's words explain the beauty of contentedness in a way that is completely accessible to kids, and yet poignant for adults too. Nicole's illustrations are somehow vibrant and muted simultaneously, perfect for capturing the dazzling nature of simple living.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book, but gladly spent my own money to pre-order the hardcover version.
This book is SUCH a necessary resource for kids (and most adults, myself included!). "Enough" is a difficult but powerful concept and this a great way to get kids talking and thinking about what really matters to them and what truly makes them happy. The prose and art are both gentle and beautiful, respectful of young readers and their growing minds. The concepts are a bit abstract and young readers will benefit from reading this with an adult partner to help clarify and answer questions, but this would be a wonderful addition to elementary school and classroom libraries!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
What a beautifully written book about how to feel content with what you have. And the concept of being willing to share or give when you reach that feeling. Your world truly opens up and your able to be more present when you feel like you have enough.
With consumerism so high, this is such a pivotal book for youth and adults. This is something I really needed to hear and I hope to teach my kids.
I cannot wait to get our hands on a hard copy!
Thank you NetGalley and Tilburry House Publishers for allowing me to review this book before publish date.
•The key theme of this book is setting and knowing boundaries. It represents teaching readers about the importance of acceptance, boundaries, and confidence. It teaches tough lessons that carry into adulthood such as being okay with your own decisions. For example, identifying the right to say no and evolving at your steady pace is essential. •Audience: 3-8 •I chose this word because it empowers lifelong lessons for children. It equips children to learn about boundaries and consent from an early age. It's a fundamental stage for their safety and well-being. •In my future classroom, how I would use this book to promote interactive read aloud, role-playing similar situations with puppets, emotional recognition, reinforcing rhymes and visual aids.
This is a beautifully illustrated children’s book about learning to accept the notion of enough, being happy with what you have and sharing. It just managed to stay on this side of preachy, which is quite difficult with this kind of topic in children’s books. I can’t see kids asking to hear it again and again, but that’s typical for this kind of title. It does a great job of gently, sweetly showing we can be happy with “enough.”
I read a temporary digital copy of this book via NetGalley.
The concept of "enough" is often overlooked. ENOUGH IS beautifully makes this intangible concept tangible and relatable. The illustrations and lyrical language are warm and inviting. It’s a must-have addition to any home, classroom or public library!
I received an advance copy of ENOUGH IS and can't wait to add the hardcover to my book shelves!
Made me think of collaborations between Amy Krause Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld. I will have to remember another of the books with the message of appreciation. I can see lots of uses for this in classrooms.
This book is... wow. There aren't many words I can find to describe it. The book is about the concept of "enough", this idea that is not black and white, that cannot be counted or defined, and that changes depending on the situation. But more than just an idea of enough, this book also explores needs and wants, give and take, sharing, helping others, and giving without receiving. It is a really cool book and I definitely want to get a copy for my class library. I would recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the age 5-12 range, as there are so many ideas that could come from this book. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!
Enough is...is a beautiful, lyrical exploration of what constitutes enough, whether it be food, clothing, or friends. I'm so grateful to have a book like this to help my kids explore this thought and dive deeper into what it means to be content.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own!
This book is a much needed meditation on contentment in an age of feverish consumption. Its spare poetry and charming illustrations create a gentle-yet-powerful counterforce against the nagging pull of desire that advertising and mass media set in motion from our earliest years. Even reading as an adult, I found the experience profoundly centering. It makes me so happy to think about all of the kids who will grow up with this book as a permanent fixture in their bedtimes, libraries, and schools. So, so good!
This story is about learning to know when you have enough, being content with what you have and know what's excess. That excess you can give to others.
It's a cute story, a little hard to grasp the concept but I understand what it's trying to do, The illustrations of this book is absolutely gorgeous. I loved them they were so beautifully detailed.
I would recommend this book for older children that could read understand the message its trying to portray.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tilbury House Publishers for this advanced reader copy. My Review is voluntarily my own.
This book is absolutely wonderful!! The story is beautiful, the art is fantastic and the themes are so spectacularly delivered. "Enough" is truly a hard concept to explain to anyone, especially young kids, and so this book is tackling a truly difficult challenge and yet it makes it to the top of the glorious mountain. It feels like poetry, which makes sense given that the author of this book also authors some stellar poetry, and as I read it I don't want it to end and am so ready for the very next read through. The art is so detailed and beautiful and unique, I can get lost in the imagery of every page. This is truly just a very good and very beautiful story and should be in elementary school classrooms everywhere!
In a world where consumption is king and everyone wants more and more of everything, this book is like a light in the darkness for kids. In gentle language and loose narrative, Whipple and Wong show that "more," "most," and "better" aren't, in fact, always always better. From sandwiches to friends, from bubbles to jump ropes - it's easy to share when, as the book explains, "when you find Enough." Highly recommend.
I loved this concept, and the art was delicate and beautiful. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with "new!" and "bigger is better!", this author focuses on finding contentment in having enough.
I'm excited and pleased to have an advance copy of Jessica Whipple's debut picture book, illustrated by Nicole Wong. It arrives on April 18th! Also, to let you know, Jessica has a second book on its way, titled I Think I Think A Lot, arriving in August. Congratulations for both, Jessica! This first book coming, however, is one to savor and to consider for use with one's own children or in the classroom. I wish it had been available when I taught because during the school year, students and I examined the differences between needs and wants. We examined them from the views of not only humans, but also animals, even inanimate objects, sometimes seriously, other times with humor, i.e, does a certain chair really need a pad, or is the hard seat enough?
In Jessica's story, a young girl examines the concept of happiness and when one believes the feeling of "enough" brings it. It's a quiet book that sneaks up on you. Word by word, paragraph by paragraph, readers will watch, and listen along with this girl who is also watching and listening. Wandering through the book, Nicole Wong's lovely, captivating illustrations include all kinds of kids in various situations, at school, at lunch, in a library, and on the playground. A favorite is a double spread in a rainstorm, filled with colorful umbrellas and that young girl using her backpack as a shelter–enough? She couldn't find her umbrella! Each illustration helps Jessica's story show how the questions feel real to kids. I am imagining the questions: When do I get another turn, another shirt, or a new book? Someone has three friends and I only have one. Is that okay? Peer pressure to have more and better is a challenge for many, even adults. Jessica writes that more "can be loud and pushy" and enough is a whisper. The comparison and the illustration that shows a child struggling with a tight sweater says "The first time you try on Enough, it can feel like a sweater that’s a bit too small." This idea shown feels so appropriate. However, it isn't always the same. Sometimes one can have enough and it can also be shared as a page shows the girl offering half a sandwich to a friend. And enough can feel just right because it can stretch. Remember that sweater? Readers will see this girl making decisions about wants and needs, what truly is enough for her, to bring happiness and satisfaction.
I hope you will be able to find this book and enjoy it yourself and with others. It may lead to new ways of thinking about life, those needs and wants, and when one can be satisfied with what "is".
A school aged girl is surrounded by friends who are all wearing gear with teddy bears on it, and she motions to her mother suggesting that she would like something similar. The two head into twon, past bill boards advertising similar items with words like "NEW" and "BETTER", but head to a thrift store. They find a used sweater that makes the girl happy, and she goes back to school feeling better. But "enough" is a hard concept. Sometimes there is not enough, like when there are only two jump ropes for three groups. Sometimes enough means not as many books or fireworks as one might want. There are lots of good examples about how sometimes "enough" is best obtained by sharing, even if the person sharing doesn't have a lot extra. This even addresses the fact that sometimes, others have more than enough, although not everyone does.
This was a surprisingly deep picture book, and I adored the message. I'm not sure that young readers will understand this book right away, but it's a sort of slow burn story. If read often enough, I think this is the sort of book that will burn onto a child's subcouscious and be something that they find themselve quoting twenty years hence. It would definitely have been in frequent rotation with my children, and I probably would have inserted some of my own examples. Enough is... powdered milk, because it's so much cheaper than fresh! (You can tell my children were young a long time ago!)
This combines a lot of really great philosophies about what enough is, so is great to read along with books about sharing, like What Is Given from the Heart by McKissack and Harrison, books about reusing items, like Cole's One Little Bag Rosie and books about the joys of thrift shopping, like the Pre-Loved Dress by Leanne Hatch.
Even adults struggle with delineating the difference between needs and wants, and this picture book may help youngsters understand those differences. The exquisite illustrations follow one young girl as she struggles to grasp these concepts and learn to be content with Enough. Since Enough isn't necessarily quantifiable and it varies from person to person and according to circumstances, the girl eventually comes to realize that having Enough may even mean sharing some of what one has with others. At the heart of this picture book is the notion of contentment and being happy with what one has, not necessarily rushing out to buy the latest thing in an attempt to fit in with others or fill some hole deep inside that could be filled in other ways and not just through purchases or acquiring stuff. While the message in this picture book is positive and encouraging, the concepts being explored still seem rather esoteric and vague even by the end of the book. The author's intentions are certainly good, but these are ideas that seem to defy easy explanations. Perhaps more examples would have helped bring the idea home more strongly. Still, sharing this picture book with youngsters would surely prompt some discussion as to how it's possible to know when each of them has Enough as well as why any of this matters.
This is such a spare, simple story, but so powerful. It's one of those books that makes you say 'yes' over and over again as you're reading it. The message is so clear and obvious, yet we as a society rarely frame the concept of 'enough' in the right way. The illustrations are gorgeous and the color palette somehow encapsulates the message at the core of the story - "somewhere between a little and a lot, there is Enough" and it's perfect. This is a children's book that will help little ones to tackle big emotions and find a sense of themselves in a world where comparison with others is hard to avoid, and yet it's much more than that. It's also a manifesto for how to save the planet and make society fairer and more civilized for everyone. If only adults everywhere could learn what enough is...
Enough Is, is a concept book explaining what having enough is all about. It delves into the philosophy of contentment and the art of recognizing when our needs and desires are sufficiently met. Through thought-provoking illustrations an lyrical text, the book encourages readers to reflect on their personal definitions of "enough."
By exploring themes such as minimalism, gratitude, and mindfulness, "Enough Is" aims to shift the focus from not enough to appreciating what we already have. It challenges the modern culture of excess and provides a roadmap for living a more fulfilled and balanced life.
This book serves as a gentle reminder that sometimes less truly is more. This will make a wonderful addition to every home and library.
Consumerism is so high and this book comes in with beautiful illustrations reminding us what enough is. There were a few sentences that my 7 and 5 yr old didn't quite understand but it helped open discussions with them and my older 2. A wonderful and necessary book and conversation to have!! It feels like we're bombarded all day between social media, the internet, and tv with all the things we are missing out on. It's nice to take a step back and re-evaluate our lives. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to pick up a physical copy!!