A funny and adorable picture book about two friends going on an adventure and about meeting anxiety with resilience, an open mind and extra toilet paper.Warm and Fuzzy are best friends.Warm wants to go on an adventure, but Fuzzy isn't sure.What if it's scary? What if it's really cold or super hot? What if there are no bathrooms, or no toilet paper!Warm says they have everything they need, but Fuzzy is worried.Should they bring snacks? A sensible change of clothes? Toilet paper?Warm knows where to go, but Fuzzy has questions.Have they been there before? Will there be people there? Should they bring gifts? Or toilet paper??This reassuring story explores themes of resilience, patience, bravery and anxiety in a gently humorous and familiar way. It will remind worriers of all ages that no matter how big or small the adventure, they have it in themselves to meet it. Even if it means bringing their own toilet paper.
SCOTT ROTHMAN is a writer of picture books, screenplays, theater, and humor pieces. Scott’s debut picture book ATTACK OF THE UNDERWEAR DRAGON (Random House) and its sequel RETURN OF THE UNDERWEAR DRAGON were both National Indie bestsellers and are being developed into a musical kids TV series by Mercury Filmworks with best-selling illustrator Pete Oswald and Tony-award winning composer Bill Sherman.
His most recent book KITTYBUNKPORT was featured on the TODAY SHOW and was selected by Jenna Bush Hager for her Summer Reading List. Scott’s book WARM AND FUZZY (Tundra, illustrated by Brian Won) received a starred review from Booklist who called it a “fun and helpful read about overcoming anxieties.”
Scott’s other kid’s books include the Virginia Readers’ Choice finalist BLUE BISON NEEDS A HAIRCUT and BUBBLE GUM BISON NEEDS A BATH (Random House, both illustrated by Pete Oswald), PARFAIT, NOT PARFAIT (Roaring Brook Press, illustrated by Avery Monsen), MAKO & TIGER: A SHARK’S TALE (Random House, illustrated by Mika Song) and BASKETBALL TOWN (Candlewick Press, illustrated by Darnell Johnson). He has six more books coming out in 2026.
A screenplay Scott co-wrote with playwright Rajiv Joseph, DRAFT DAY, topped the 2012 Black List before being made into a feature film directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Kevin Costner. In addition, Scott co-wrote the script for the comedy ARMY OF ONE starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Larry Charles.
Scott also wrote the book for the one-person musical TODD VS. THE TITANIC (music and lyrics by Murder for Two’s Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair) which was produced by the Adirondack Theatre Festival and the Hangar Theatre.
Scott’s humor writing has appeared in The New Yorker, GQ and McSweeney’s. He received an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU.
When this book comes out, make sure you go and get it! It’s about dealing with anxiety and all the “what-ifs” that come along with it, especially when it involves traveling and having adventures. I very much related to this book, and I’m sure many kiddos out there will as well.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC!
Not gonna lie, this one got chuckles out of me. It's definitely silly and for children, but the constant toilet paper remarks got me. I'm not very much a "plan-free journey" type of person, but it can be good to rest in knowing you're able to handle the situations you run into and enjoy the present. Definitely a cute read for the kiddos <3
Generally, I liked reading this book. There were a lot of really good ideas here, and I found that both the author and the illustrator have a good amount of talent. Attention to detail is wildly important in kids' books, and the creators had no problems achieving that goal. Another great thing about this book was the humor that the author found and included throughout the book. This book's specific humor is very age-appropriate for younger readers, and they will be giggling out loud quite a few times while reading. However, despite these good things, I felt like this book was missing somethings: substance and meaning. I think that there was supposed to be some sort of message here, but it wasn't blatantly clear to me as a reader. If there is a meaning that this book has that relates to a bigger idea, it should definitely be obvious. This is especially crucial so that children can pick up on it, too. In terms of material, there just wasn't very much. Don't get me wrong, there was definitely a good idea present in the making of this book. The reader can definitely notice this. Although, this idea didn't go very far because this book was just kind of flat. Not very much occurred within the plot, and when something did actually happen it was underwhelming. My advice is to make each and every event in this book BIG and really in the reader's face. Even though it seems counterintuitive, avoid subtlety! In this case, more is better.
(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review through Library Thing's Early Reviewers program.)
Recently Facebook's algorithm did something not terrible, and got me hooked on comedian Not Bad Dan's shorts. My favorite riff is his 71 second take on why low crime threshold and high crime threshold people need to be friends. Namely the former dials down some of the latter's more self-destructive tenancies, while the latter helps push the former out of their comfort zone. Basically this describes my oldest friend and I in a nutshell. (Spoiler alert: I'm the low crime square.)
Which is all to say that WARM AND FUZZY feels like a cozy version of this axiom for the 3- to 7-year-old crowd. Warm and Fuzzy are a couple of Sasquatch-slash-bear cub creatures who form an unlikely duo: little Fuzzy is a worrier, while Warm rocks a much more carefree attitude (he's like The Dude but with more hair). When Warm proposes that they embark on an unspecified adventure, Fuzzy worries over the specifics, like where are they going? Who will be there? What should they pack? Should they bring gifts? In the end, Warm encourages Fuzzy to loosen up a bit, while Fuzzy's worrying convinces Warm that bringing some TP is, in point o' facts, a very prudent idea.
The message is a simple one that's complemented nicely by the adorable artwork. The vegan in me could have done without the leather jackets, though.
One thing I love about picture books is that it allows you to teach your kids about different aspects of life in a gentle and sometimes humorous way. Warm and Fuzzy is a book that has an anxious and worrisome young character. He's always asking WHAT IF?? Unsure how to move forward in new situations. The older, more mature character is able to calmly and gently explain to him that it'll be okay, we'll get through anything, together. Even though my kids don't struggle with anxiety, usually, I was able to explain how some kids do. And that they can be a calm and gentle encouragement to them. My family adored the illustrations and got a few giggles out of the writing as well.
Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Friendship, courage & adventure oh and Don't forget the toilet paper! This story was so fun. Warm wants adventure but his best friend Fuzzy doesn't think it's a great idea. Fuzzy has worries. Will it be scary, will there be people, do we need snacks or clothes? This is a heartfelt story showing our little ones that they can be brave and strong. Even when they face the unknown or anxiety takes over they truly have it in themselves to get through it. They can find their own way. Adorable illustrations show the message in a great way. Such a heartfelt story, with a bit of humor along the way. Enjoy the humorous adventure with your little ones.
Warm is a big Sasquatch like critter. Fuzzy is a small one. Warm suggests an adventure but Fuzzy is not sure. In fact, Fuzzy worries about everything. Especially toilet paper. And leather jackets. But while Warm takes Fuzzy's long litany of worries into consideration, it does not stop them from adventuring. Warm and Fuzzy realize they can handle just about anything together. Adventures and new friends await! And that toilet paper DOES come in handy!
Be sure to peek under the dust jacket; the cover is different. And I wonder if one way to counteract the parental disapproval of potty comedy (which kids, of course, adore) is to use toilet paper instead...
I received an electronic ARC from Penguin Random House Canada through NetGalley. I love the way the two friends interact and how Warm is to Fuzzy as he expresses his fears and anxieties. Younger readers will enjoy the humor and fun as Fuzzy's concerns get bigger and wilder. Warm reassures his friend and keeps them moving forward toward the adventure. I love the end portion when they enjoy the adventures together. Brightly colored illustrations support the text and pull readers in on the journey.
I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
This book is all about travel anxiety (and maybe a little social anxiety) and I love it. The illustrations are as warm and fuzzy as the title states, with every worry and adventure taking on a cozy feel. I love that Warm stays calm throughout and even through Fuzzy’s fears, they come to recognize that it was worth taking the chance in the end to do something new. A great book for anyone with travel anxiety or just anxiety.
Warm and Fuzzy is a book that ends with those exact feelings. Warm is the reassuring, "adult" figure, while Fuzzy has myriad questions and fears about where they are going (like a small child). Children will find Fuzzy's concerns about toilet paper to be very humorous. In the end, both characters have a great time and are are wrapped in the care and trust they have with each other. I think some children will see themselves in this book, and others will enjoy the humor and love in this book.
5 stars for this adorable story about two friends on an adventure! It beautifully captures the experience of facing new or slightly scary situations and overcoming anxiety with the help of friendship. Heartwarming, funny, and relatable.
I liked that this picture book deals with anxiety, but as someone who has severe anxiety, I do think that Warm could have done a little bit better in helping Fuzzy feel less anxious. The continued non-answers provided by Warm would have made me more anxious, not less.
Still, some of the ways in which Warm got Fuzzy to go with were helpful, but I found most of the "techniques" a little annoying. I do love that Warm and Fuzzy are sasquatches though.
We read this for our Kindness and Gratitude story time. It's a sweet story about two creatures named Warm and Fuzzy. Fuzzy has a lot of concerns, but Warm is always there with a calm answer and plenty of encouragement. This is a wonderful story for anyone who worries a lot (especially about toilet paper).
A gentle book encouraging kids to try new things, get out there and explore the world, with a warm and fuzzy (pun intended; see title) illustrationgs & ending.
Two creatures set out for an adventure and one is very nervous about where they are going and what to bring. Loved the great questions and the acceptance of them by the older creature. Preschool and up
3.5 stars--A pair of Bigfoot-like critters prepare to go on an adventure, with the smaller one full of questions and worries about what to pack. The illustrations are a delight.
I liked this one! Cute illustrations and it did a nice job showing someone overcoming stressing over a journey and just enjoying the spontaneity of it all.