What do you think?
Rate this book
The Manic Panic
Some grown-ups have so much screen time that they just can't cope when the wifi goes out. Luckily the grown-ups in Manic Panic live with a smart kid who loves to read and an adventurous grandma who knows how to have fun without the internet. Manic Panic is a wry look at the value of unplugged family time, even when someone is resistant to the real world. The illustrations add depth to the story, helping us to see all the small things we can miss when we're glued to our phones.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2018
2 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Richa Jha
33 books54 followersRicha Jha is an Indian author, blogger, publisher and picture book enthusiast. She is an independent creator of picture books in English under her PICKLE YOLK BOOKS imprint. Her website SNUGGLE WITH PICTURE BOOKS (http://snugglewithpicturebooks.com/) is the only online platform in India dedicated to picture books. It contains reviews of mostly Indian (but also international) picture books.
She is the author of six picture books and has edited WHISPERS IN THE CLASSROOM, VOICES ON THE FIELD(Wisdom Tree), a bestselling YA anthology of short stories on school life which entered the Limca Book of Records 2013 for being the first book in India to have a song penned especially for it. Her book 'The Susu Pals' was shortlisted for the Raymond Crossword Award 2014 in the children's category and won a third place in the popular RivoKids Parents and Kids Choice Awards 2015. Her latest releases are 'Thatha at School', 'Vee Loved Garlic' and 'Love Like That'.
She is the author of six picture books and has edited WHISPERS IN THE CLASSROOM, VOICES ON THE FIELD(Wisdom Tree), a bestselling YA anthology of short stories on school life which entered the Limca Book of Records 2013 for being the first book in India to have a song penned especially for it. Her book 'The Susu Pals' was shortlisted for the Raymond Crossword Award 2014 in the children's category and won a third place in the popular RivoKids Parents and Kids Choice Awards 2015. Her latest releases are 'Thatha at School', 'Vee Loved Garlic' and 'Love Like That'.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 24, 2025
Quite a hilarious little book where a kid gets fed up of the grown ups' phone addiction
July 1, 2019
I am not sure who the target audience are for this book. My preschooler didn’t like it as he couldn’t understand why the parents were acting that way. Maybe older kids would appreciate it. But then why would older kids read a picture book with such less words? I think only adults will get the humor. Illustrations were great, which was the sole reason for picking it up.
April 14, 2018
Jha, Richa The Manic Panic, illustrated by Mithila Ananth. PICTURE BOOK. Creston Books, 2018. $17. 9781939547439.
When the wifi goes down, a young girl has to drag herparents out of the house an show them that there is other life out there. Until, that is, she comes home and realizes that she can’t finish her book report without wifi!
I love that this comes straight from India – Indian author, Indian illustrator and Indian characters, originally published in India. The sentiment rings true anywhere anyone is tied to their wifi and their devices. Pair this with If You Give a Mouse an iPhone. Most people won’t actually learn the lesson in the books, but they will have a great laugh!
EL – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
When the wifi goes down, a young girl has to drag herparents out of the house an show them that there is other life out there. Until, that is, she comes home and realizes that she can’t finish her book report without wifi!
I love that this comes straight from India – Indian author, Indian illustrator and Indian characters, originally published in India. The sentiment rings true anywhere anyone is tied to their wifi and their devices. Pair this with If You Give a Mouse an iPhone. Most people won’t actually learn the lesson in the books, but they will have a great laugh!
EL – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Read
February 17, 2019Picture Book 1
Published May 2018
Originally published in India, this book is all about a young girl who helps her family get through a day with no WiFi. Her parents are quite distraught, but the daughter has lots of ideas of what they can do instead and drags them along with her. As they are outside, riding bikes and exploring the world, their grumbles slowly fade, and they find that they are enjoying their day even with no WiFi. It’s a fun, lighthearted story that gives the important message that the world is just as much fun without fancy devices and an Internet connection. The illustrations are of an Indian family and help tell the story every step of the way as you slowly watch her parents go from despairing and desperate to laughing while they ride their bikes. The sentences are simple enough that a young reader may be able to join in on the reading, while still introducing words that they likely have not heard before like “fret.” Overall, it is a humorous, enjoyable book about the importance of spending time with family and putting down the ever-present technology.
Interactive/Movement-based Activity: To go along with the theme of being active that this book promotes, children in the Kindergarten-2nd grade range could participate in a fun exploratory activity. Take them on a short nature walk or walk to local park. To make it last even longer, bring along some blank paper or a sketch pad for them and encourage them to draw (and write for the older children) about something interesting they see. Maybe they can draw a picture of a flower that catches their eye, or write about the squirrel that yelled at them when they got too close. This activity helps reinforce the connection to the physical world that is promoted in the book while getting them out and moving. By adding the component of drawing and/or writing, they will be encouraged to really think about their surroundings and observe them instead of merely moving through them. It also provides them a chance to be their own storytellers as they describe the picture they drew or write out what they saw, bringing movement and literacy skills together.
Published May 2018
Originally published in India, this book is all about a young girl who helps her family get through a day with no WiFi. Her parents are quite distraught, but the daughter has lots of ideas of what they can do instead and drags them along with her. As they are outside, riding bikes and exploring the world, their grumbles slowly fade, and they find that they are enjoying their day even with no WiFi. It’s a fun, lighthearted story that gives the important message that the world is just as much fun without fancy devices and an Internet connection. The illustrations are of an Indian family and help tell the story every step of the way as you slowly watch her parents go from despairing and desperate to laughing while they ride their bikes. The sentences are simple enough that a young reader may be able to join in on the reading, while still introducing words that they likely have not heard before like “fret.” Overall, it is a humorous, enjoyable book about the importance of spending time with family and putting down the ever-present technology.
Interactive/Movement-based Activity: To go along with the theme of being active that this book promotes, children in the Kindergarten-2nd grade range could participate in a fun exploratory activity. Take them on a short nature walk or walk to local park. To make it last even longer, bring along some blank paper or a sketch pad for them and encourage them to draw (and write for the older children) about something interesting they see. Maybe they can draw a picture of a flower that catches their eye, or write about the squirrel that yelled at them when they got too close. This activity helps reinforce the connection to the physical world that is promoted in the book while getting them out and moving. By adding the component of drawing and/or writing, they will be encouraged to really think about their surroundings and observe them instead of merely moving through them. It also provides them a chance to be their own storytellers as they describe the picture they drew or write out what they saw, bringing movement and literacy skills together.
May 1, 2018
What a fun, modern day flip-flop on the parent-kid relationship. . .and one that may be more true than most are willing to admit.
Most evenings, Dad is glued to his cell phone while Mom sits on the couch and pokes at her laptop. When the wifi goes out, Mom and Dad have no idea what to do. Luckily, this kid is ready and drags them out into the world to discover all sorts of marvelous things. The results are simply wonderful.
This is a book which pokes fun of parents, and one kids are sure to enjoy. The opening scene fits many modern day households and leads into a fun, which kids can actually carry out in real life. The flip-flop on responsibility. . .a kid showing it's parents the 'real' world and taking control of the situation while they whine. . .is sure to make young listeners smile. It's inspiring, it's humorous and it does have a message which hits home.
The illustrations pull into the story and add to the tale as much as the words. Younger listeners will enjoy flipping through on their own and get a general gist of the story. The text itself floats along the illustrations, is never too long and makes for a great read-aloud.
Although this book originated in India (something which diverse book fans are sure to love!), the illustrations and text are general enough for young listeners in various countries to easily connect with. Still, a slight flair for India remains, especially when Mom and Dad are lead to the tea stall.
In other words, this is a lovely, picture book which hits home while leaving smiles and even some great ideas behind.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
Most evenings, Dad is glued to his cell phone while Mom sits on the couch and pokes at her laptop. When the wifi goes out, Mom and Dad have no idea what to do. Luckily, this kid is ready and drags them out into the world to discover all sorts of marvelous things. The results are simply wonderful.
This is a book which pokes fun of parents, and one kids are sure to enjoy. The opening scene fits many modern day households and leads into a fun, which kids can actually carry out in real life. The flip-flop on responsibility. . .a kid showing it's parents the 'real' world and taking control of the situation while they whine. . .is sure to make young listeners smile. It's inspiring, it's humorous and it does have a message which hits home.
The illustrations pull into the story and add to the tale as much as the words. Younger listeners will enjoy flipping through on their own and get a general gist of the story. The text itself floats along the illustrations, is never too long and makes for a great read-aloud.
Although this book originated in India (something which diverse book fans are sure to love!), the illustrations and text are general enough for young listeners in various countries to easily connect with. Still, a slight flair for India remains, especially when Mom and Dad are lead to the tea stall.
In other words, this is a lovely, picture book which hits home while leaving smiles and even some great ideas behind.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
May 12, 2018
In a reversal of roles this perceptive picture book chronicles adults reliance on electronic devices. When the WiFi is down it is the parents who are sent into a panic and their book-loving child who is able to view the situation with a calm demeanor. May hit a little too close to home for some adults.
July 4, 2018
The wifi is down and the parents are at a loss. Fortunately, the kid and the grandma know the importance of getting outside for fresh air and exercise. Kids don't want to hear this message addressed to them, but they'll think it's funny when the tables are turned and it's the parents who are whining. Told in second person with a fun twist at the end when the reader learns who the speaker is.
September 15, 2018
A well-told tale of role reversal, showing how small actors can make big impacts in a family’s dynamics. Clever illustrations dramatize the struggle to unplug from electronic devices and distractions.
March 18, 2019
An utterly charming, funny book that turns the tables on every parent who's ever struggled with getting their little ones out of doors and away from a screen. A great book for parents and children to giggle together.
March 2, 2021
I like the way it felt like a regular grownup short story and the pictures painted a much fuller picture, adding in things that weren't mentioned in the text. (mostly putting this here to remind my future self how to write childrens books.)
June 2, 2021
I really wanted to like this book but... I wasn't sure what it was trying to accomplish. The name doesn't really tell you what's happening- the panic could be about anything, what is "manic" trying to convey? What does the mouse have to do at the end? Who is narrating it- the girl? The mouse?
June 13, 2018
This one made me laugh. Great role-reversal story told in second-person. Loved the picture of boneless-dad and the bike.
August 15, 2018
Turning the tables, a little girl has to convince her parents that being without wi-fi isn't so bad.
September 12, 2018
This was a pretty good book. I like how it centers around the idea of what fun things you can do when the wifi goes out
October 17, 2018
HaHaHa! Great twist on a story where the parents have a meltdown when the internet goes does. Their daughter shows them all the fun they can have without having to be plugged into the net.
October 26, 2018
Ha! I'm going to make DH read this to Madam and maybe my dear sweet potatoes will realize that there is more to life than staring at screens.
October 30, 2018
Cute twist with the kid teaching the parents how to live without wifi, just didn't have fun reading it.
December 7, 2019
When the internet goes down a child and her grandma try to convince the parents their is plenty to do off the grid. elementary and up
May 1, 2023
Funny family centered story about unplugging from the manic of tech.
May 30, 2019
This book is more for the teachers, but it's always good to have a book that engages the teachers in storytimes because when the teachers are engaged, the kids get more into it. The narrative is about a girl who has to force her parents outside when the wifi is down.
October 18, 2020
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
January 19, 2022
Przesłanie może i zacne, wykonanie jednak fatalne a w momencie, kiedy pada "USPOKUJCIE SIĘ!" nie mogłem już zachować spokoju.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews