I Am (Not) Scared

This is (Not) a Series #3

by Anna Kang, Christopher Weyant (Illustrator)

Two fuzzy friends go to an amusement park. They try to convince each other that there are much scarier things than the roller coaster. Hairy spiders! Aliens! Fried ants! They soon discover that sometimes being scared isn’t as “scary” as they thought. With expressive illustrations and simple text, this giggle-inducing tale about (not) being scared features the endearing characters from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award­ winner You Are (Not) Small.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Storytime, Animals, Humor

18 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2017

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like this one quite as much as the other two I've read in the (Not) series, but it was still very cute. A perfect little story to let little ones know that everyone is scared sometimes!

[Dez the Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series for the most part, but this one was lacking compared to the other five. It was about being scared and riding a roller coaster - but this one didn’t really go anywhere like her other 5 books do. It was a little harder to get the story to fit into the narrative about being scared about anything, rather than just riding a roller coaster.

[Diz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This children's book is about facing your fears. The story revolves around a roller coaster ride, which one of the characters feels is really scary. The other character tries to downplay the fear of roller coasters by talking about things that are scarier. In the end, the characters openly admit their fears and show no shame for having them because everyone has fears.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

این مجموعه می‌خواد یه سری چیزا مثل احساسات، تفاوت‌ها و این چیزا رو به بچه‌ها یاد بده. منتها نوع پرداخت و نتیجه‌هایی که می‌گیره رو زیاد نپسندیدم. طراحی‌هاش ولی قشنگ و بامزه‌س.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant since it sounded like a message story but I liked the previous books in this series so I gave it a chance. The message isn't heavy but handled with humor, gentleness, and fun. The artwork was fun and charming. A good book for older toddlers up to kindergarteners.

[Ana LibrariAna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series featuring our two adorable fuzzy creatures. I really liked their arguing in "You Are (Not) Small", where they needed to learn to look at things from another perspective. I also liked seeing them in a book "This Is (Not) Mine", in which they needed to learn to share. Now we see them again in I Am (Not) Scared. Again, the book is written and illustrated in the same winning combination; with simple and funny text, and bold and expressive illustrations, only in this book they face their fears and they face them together. A great book for every child, especially one that is about to face something new, or try something new and it is a bit scary. Talking about it might help; facing it with someone else might help. It might also turn out to be fun.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two, lovable mismatched ursines are back, this time insisting that neither one is afraid to ride the rollercoaster. Fans of the previous books will be happy to see these guys again. New fans will be reassured about their relatable fears and ask to read previous installments as my class did.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be a great summertime read for those little ones who are afraid of roller coasters! Of course, easily applicable to many other situations that cause tension for young ones.
And the ending is very typical for most kids!!

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orange guy and Purple guy discuss scary things while waiting for the roller coaster. They claim not to be scared, but by the end of the ride they agree, they ARE scared... and they ride the roller coaster again.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two fuzzy friends are adorable and I love their friendship and how they get through stuff together! Great illustrations too!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relying on the same approach that worked in their two previous books, You Are (Not) Small and That's (Not) Mine, this creative team tackles a concept that is quite relatable--being scared. Two fuzzy animal friends stand beneath an enormous roller coaster and declare that they are not scared at all. After chatting a bit, they each identify things that frighten them, but get on the roller coaster anyway. After all, there's safety in numbers, and as they fly up and down and through all the scary parts of the ride, they can gleefully shout out just how scared they are. After all, who wouldn't be? Nevertheless, they cheerfully ride that thing again! Plenty of readers will enjoy this title since it never makes fun of fears and even celebrates the joy in deliberately taking on an activity that is frightening and then OWNING it. The illustrations rely on ink and watercolor to complement the story. Although I don't like this one as much as the two that preceded it, I'm sure it will have a wide following. Certainly, it has uses as a read aloud for parents and teachers seeking to reassure their charges that a little bit of fear may be a good thing and that everyone has some justifiable fears.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations, especially the snake with glasses. Who doesn't take his glasses off on the roller coaster. Very amusing.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read. Perfect examples of things kids might be scared of. Snakes, spiders, and roller coasters are just a drop in the bucket for this book.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how cute! I won this book in a blog giveaway and it just came today. Adorable. Try new things, even when they make you nervous.

[Mkittysamom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring

I guess the crunckled Snake didn’t amuse my son and it had a gross alien with pink eyes and hairy teeth? What is that all about? Is that chocolate with teeth on it? -Jace Age 7

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book that depicts friends who help one another overcome their fears.

The illustrations, "rendered in ink and watercolor with brush pens on Arches paper," are large, with colorful characters on a (mostly) blank background.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny picture book about two furry friends, who are a bit scared of riding a roller coaster. After imagining a lot of things that are potentially far scarier, they decide to go on the roller coaster and be scared together.

[Helen Pugsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay

It was okay. Pretty cute, actually. Didn't change my life or anything. Idk what you want me to tell you, man.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story about how sometimes it is fun to be scared (and brave).

[Tanguerro · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so fun

Roller coaster!!! Daredevil bears bears double bear I don't know about the characters I didn't know about that maybe that's enough

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received an F&G of this book at an ALA conference.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! Should work for storytime, but dialogue books are always a little more difficult.

[Ashtyn Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary
I Am (Not) Scared by Anna Kang is a story about bears who are scared! It starts slightly obscure and we don't know what the bears are scared of until we see a roller coaster. These bears try to tell themselves that roller coasters aren't scary, that there are a more scary things out there, like spiders, or snakes. Then, when they finally get to the roller coaster they get even more scared; a snake is riding the roller coaster!

Activity
Have 1st graders draw a picture of their worst fear. Then pair up in groups of 2 or more and trade papers. Challenge the partners to make the fears in front of them silly. Spend a couple of minutes discussing one by one what was done to make a fear 'silly'. Showing everyone's work to the class helps them all see that everyone has fears, and they can all be made funny instead. After the activity hang up the funny fears for all to see.

Citation
Kang, A., & Weyant, C. (2017). I am (not) scared [Ebook]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Am-Not-Scared-... am not scared

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure about you, but I scream like crazy on roller coasters. I get terrified when I zoom along in those tiny cars. And yet I leave the ride with an incredible rush. How do you explain this blend of fear and adrenaline? And can we extend this to other fears?

In this delightful picture book, two bears share their fears of hairy spiders, hot lava and fried ants. But what's really on their mind is the roller coaster (with a snake!) right in front of them: The Loop of Doom. With simple, bold text and exaggerated cartoon characters, Kang and Weyant deliver the message that these friends can face their fears together, and that a little fear can be a whole lot of fun.

[Alaina Covington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Am Not Scared is a book about two friends who go to an amusement park together. Although they are both scared of roller coasters, the whole time they are there they try to convince each other that there are scarier things. The end up discovering that being scared isn't as scary as they thought was. I liked the meaning of this book and feel like it would be beneficial for younger kids as they begin to grow fears. I wasn't a huge fan of the illustrations, I thought they were plain and boring but because I liked the text so much I was able to look past them. I would most likely use this in a kindergarten classroom as a read aloud.

[Kit Donner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spiders and Snakes are (mostly) not scary

I know that most spiders and snakes in North America are not dangerous and therefore should not be scary. Okay, the book shows the two friends riding a roller coaster ride with a snake twice, and the second time they all have fun. But why not deal with reality? Scary North American snakes are easy to tell apart from "not scary" North American snakes. Same with spiders. It is a little bit harder to tell the difference between scary and "not scary" roller coasters, but not really difficult. So show the difference. That would be a much better book!

[Callie Ammons · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not scared is about two friends that go to an amusement park. They are very scared to go on the roller coasters. To convince themselves that they aren't, they tell themselves there's scarier things than coasters like spiders or snakes. They are able to get over there fear and realize its not as bad as they were expecting.

I thought this was a cute story of two friends who share the experience of being scared together. I really like the lesson in this story. This is a good book to use in the classroom to teach the students to work through their fears. This is especially applicable to younger children.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited, I Am Not Scared is cute, but also cutesy, but when get the chance will look up You Are Not Small, That's Not Mine. Can I Tell You a Secret? to see if the others ones are the same way.Won this one in a Goodreads Giveaway.Nice illustrations but the cutesy preachy thing, eh, don't see myself trying to get this for my grand daughter or her brother. {Did read thru the others, all the ones available on ku, and they all rate the same, for the same reason.} Maybe others have kids that are more in the age group for these as well.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book as part of a Good Reads Giveaway.

The story and pictures are simple and not over-stimulating for small children. The suggestions for things that are scary may be a bit much for preschoolers, but young elementary school kids would likely find it funny.

The storyline was enjoyable and just the right length. Overall, it was a good story to generate conversations with your favorite young person about handling fear. Good book.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's okay to be scared and with your friend along for the ride it is shared. Very short read but long on illustrations to look at and such fun facial expressions and actions in this picture book. Little kids love it and can repeat the words since there are only a few. They identify with the fun on a scary ride that the story shows. And many of them will identify with the bears and be scared of similar things.