Everything Will Be OK

by Anna Dewdney, Judy Schachner (Illustrator)

The bestselling creators of Llama Llama and Skippyjon Jones bring warmth and humor to a story with a comforting message we could all use when times are tough: everything will be okay.

Nothing is going right for little Bunny today.
His sandwich has PB&J instead of cheese.
He's lost his kite.
Ow! And he's stubbed his toe!
But while some days can feel more sad than happy, there's always a bright spot on the horizon. Anna Dewdney and Judy Schachner perfectly blend rhyme, humor, and comfort to show readers the way out of a tough spot--no matter if it's big or small.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Emotion, Animals, Mental Health, Family, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2022

About the author

Anna Dewdney was an award-winning children's-book author, illustrator, teacher, mother, and enthusiastic proponent of literacy and reading aloud to children. She was the author of the bestselling Llama Llama Red Pajama series of picturebooks, among many others. She lived with her partner Reed Duncan in Vermont where she worked, gardened, and spent time with her daughters and dogs.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet idea. Offers reminders that tough times will get better, and to hold on to those you love when you need extra strength. But, it doesn't really provide any guidance for how to feel better on your own (for example, deep breathing). Nice in a general way but probably won't be too helpful for children with anxiety or depression.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reminder we all need on tough days - everything will be okay.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hits all the right notes: the words, the rhymes, the illustrations. So special. Way better than ‘ok’!!

[Ryal Mcmurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long been a fan of Anna Dewdney and Judy Schachner. Both are brilliant authors and illustrators with many successful books and even series under their belts (Dewdney- Llama Llama, Schachner-Skippyjon Jones). Anna Dewdney unfortunately passed away in 2016, but this was a book she had written before her death. Judy Schachner was asked to illustrate it. What results is a little piece of magic. Dewdney's words with Schachner's art makes for a lovely book.

The text is reminiscent of Dewdney's 2008 book, "Nobunny's Perfect," a great book that I always used in the classroom to talk about behavior. Much like that book, Dewdney talks to children on a level that they understand and about things that are important to them. However, her words can take on meanings at various other levels. One can't help but wonder, if maybe this book was Dewdney's words to us all in her absence, "Everything Will Be OK." Certainly in the days since of the pandemic, the words are a reassuring and sweet message to us all, "Everything Will Be OK," words that so many of us have longed to hear during these times...

Schachner's illustrations are as beautiful as ever. A talented artist, her work is always top-notch. And like Dewdney, Schachner is able to create characters, that we fall in love with, simply by looking into their eyes. One can gather that this book was certainly a labor of love for Schachner, who was friends with Dewdney. Indeed her work does honor Dewdney, and makes this book even more special.

As an educator, Dewdney's and Schachner's work have always been go-to's. They don't pander to children, but talk to them. They use humor, and kids certainly relate to their books. As a kindergarten teacher, I always felt that part of my job was to make kids love school and love reading. Their books helped me do that for sure. I witnessed many kids over the years as they fell in love with reading through the words and pictures of Anna Dewdney and Judy Schachner. More than just pieces of fluff, their books connected with kids and they could relate to their fears, imaginations, and the wonder that these two women wove into their stories.

"Everything Will Be OK" is a very special book, but it turns out, this is the book we need right now!

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rhymes were okay. The illustrations were cute. A nice book and fun to see a collaboration between two wonderful Kidlit creators.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute rhymes about hanging in there, because even as the sad and bad things of various degrees happen, they don't last.

The pictures add to the engagement.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming rhyming picture book about a small rabbit who's experiencing all kinds of emotions -- big and little -- scary, angry, frustrated, and lonely, but there's always the loving assurance that "Everything will be OK." This heartwarming story will leave readers of all ages with a warm glow that all will be well.

[Angie]

Some of the rhymes felt a little forced. Other than that … I liked it. Cute fuzzy animals reminding us even when it all seems so bleak things will be OK? We can all use that right now.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so, so sweet - I just struggle with the "Hold your mommy, hold your dad" piece of this book. Many kids have "not ok" times *because* of something they're struggling with regarding a parent. Otherwise, just darling. I just wish that phrase could have been avoided all together and it'd be spot on! An #SEL story of hope!

"You may fall down.
You may be scared.
You may see shadows everywhere,
But you are brave and you are strong;
You'll make it home before too long."

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

You’ll be okay. That’s the vibe from this children’s book as the author asks the reader a variety of questions and tells them that they’ll be okay. So, you hurt yourself, you’ll be okay. So, you lost your kite and now, you can’t play that game anymore. It’s okay, find another game. Feeling sick? It’s okay, you’ll be better soon. Scared? Miss your parents? Things not working out how they’re supposed to? It’ll all be okay; you’ll be back where you need to be soon. How often we all need to understand and apply what this book has to say. With bright colorful animals with great facial expressions, the illustrations support what the message of this book is trying to tell us all. It will all be okay, maybe not right now but soon.

I liked how this rhyming book says it all but it’s not wordy. The text is catchy, it’s easy to rhythm and I found myself bouncing back and forth as I read it, (bouncing to the beat). The book covers a lot of subjects that children face that can throw them off and affect them. Instead of getting upset or changing their behavior because of a snag in their day, this book helps them realize that it’s going to be okay, that they can handle it. I think this would be a great book to read often with a class and talk about the implications that this book addresses. A good book to have at home too and talk about how bumps in their day doesn’t have to ruin their day. Everyone needs to read this one! A million stars Everything Will Be Ok by Anna Dewdney

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the message. I liked most of the rhyming. Some of the cadence seemed off to me.
The illustrations, while pretty, kind of confused/annoyed me a bit. Like was the cat a pet? a friend? a family member? I guess that's the problem when your main character is an anthropomorphized rabbit. I also didn't like the solutions to some of the problems like switching sandwiches (just because it seemed like they were at school maybe... and we don't allow sharing food at school) or pushing the broccoli off your plate.
And this is very much me looking at the book from my own personal context but I've recently (2 months ago and 2.5 years ag0) lost my dad and mom so for the book to have a whole part about them always coming back and being there just hit wrong for me and made me think about kids who don't have a mom and dad. But again, that's probably reading too much into it. I bet that section could be really helpful for kids who are reluctant to go to daycare or have a babysitter.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is basically Little Brown Bunny and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day. Or week. Bunny is sad because he doesn't like his lunch - but his friend swaps with him. He doesn't want to eat the broccoli - but his friend helps. He misses mom and dad. It's a rainy day. He has carrot monster nightmares. His kite flies away. He swipes his older sister's flute (this was a little confusing). If there's anything that can go wrong, it does.
Definitely ideas that little ones can relate to - and most adults. It's always nice to hear that everything is going to work out and it will be OK. Not perfect. And there will always be bumps in the road. But with the help and love of friends and family, things will be OK.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific story appropriate for all and I do mean all ages!! Sometimes things in our lives don't go the way we want them to go and sometimes they do go the way we want them to go. There are lovely ideas and suggestions on how to cope and enjoy all of the phases of our lives!
The illustrations by Judy Schachner are just beautiful!! She is also the creator of the Skippyjon Jones series of books which are absolutely delightful!!
Kudos Anna for another wonderful story, as wonderful as your Llama Llama stories!! I am very sad to have just learned that you died in 2016. Your beautiful and much loved stories will live on in people's hearts forever!!

[Cara Byrne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm constantly on the look out for good books that acknowledge and help kids think about/process "big feelings," and while there are some promising aspects of this book ("You may fall down. You may be scared. You may see shadows everywhere. But you are brave and you are strong), it's tough to recommend as it focuses on finding relief and comfort in the presence of one's "mom and dad" several times in the book. There's also a refrain telling kids to "Make those feelings go away - you could do it every day. Everything will be OK." I'm looking for more direction and less of a reliance one what may not be present for children reading this book.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really adorable illustrations, and a sweet idea. I was a big worrier as a kid, and even if a book like this doesn't tell a kid how to worry less or how to trust that everything will really, actually be okay, I think it would have helped me to feel seen.

Reading it as an adult who still worries, though, it actually made me a bit sad that one of the assurances that everything will be okay is that your mom and dad will come home and reassure you. But... well... what if you don't have a mom and/or dad? That got me feeling a bit weepy on the inside, but otherwise, I really liked this.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book came up on a list of best picture books published in 2022, so I wanted to give it a try. I'm really torn about how I feel about this book.

Pro: It shows people feeling a variety of emotions. It includes sad, angry, frustrated, in pain, lonely. I like that is OK-ing the feelings.

Con: The refrain is that everything will be ok. And in the examples given, it generally is. It just feels a bit trite to me. Maybe semantics, but sometimes things aren't ok. And that is ok too.

I won't be bring this home to my kids because I don't want to give them any unrealistic expectations.

[Union County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love the Llama Llama series by Anna Dewdney, this book is for you! The story tells of a young bunny who is having a rough day. During his day, he encounters small things, like missing the cheese on his sandwich, medium things, like losing a toy, and big things, like missing his family. He finds, in the end, that if he is brave and strong, he will make it through his day. The love of his family and lots of hugs can make even the toughest day ok. My favorite line in the book reads - "Hold the ones you love today. Everything will be OK."

- Reviewed by Sherri F.

[Niharika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything Will Be Okay is a book that can be read by kids and adults. It's a book which can be picked in good times and not-so-good times. It gives an assurance that even when you stub your toe, times when nothing goes by the plan, when everything looks upside down. Those moments when you are vulnerable and your weak self. Remember that everything will be okay. While it's important to keep believing that everything will be okay. This book reiterates that even when everything goes wrong, love still stays. So hold on to your loved ones as everything eventually will be okay.

[Jolynne Dougherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the back cover, it mentions that Anna Dewdney & Judy Schachner met at a book conference and became fast friends. Dewdney wrote the text and died before she could create the illustrations, so her friend Schachner did the illustrations for her.

A sweet story about a bunny who is having a bad day and how they get on through the day with the refrain of "everything will be OK." Sometimes you just need a reminder.

[Emilie Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, students learn how to manage their emotions and learn that in the end, everything works out. In my classroom I will use this to express to my students that all feelings are valid and not to worry too much because, as the title says, everything will be ok.

In regards to being culturally responsive, the characters are animals so there isn't much to judge in that aspect but I think its very important to talk about emotions we feel with siblings, friends and more.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contagious good humor is on offerwith this sweet picture book for toddlers and preschoolers... and also just about every human being who has had a bad day.

The rhyming text and sometimes hilariously expressive illustrations convey how our moods may change over time. While that glorious refrain keeps coming through:

"Everything Will Be OK.

FIVE STARS for a book that's consoling and so very human.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about weathering the rough times. I would have preferred more time spent on feeling emotions - everything may be okay in the end, but it's also okay to feel sad, mad, etc. There's also mention of hugging mom and dad at the end. Again, more inclusivity would have been nice. Can be a suitable read-aloud with some guidance and clarification.

[SamSamSam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sometimes things aren't okay and don't feel good, and you don't have to push those feelings away. I think this concept is too simplistic. There were even scenarios in the book in which I would have encouraged a child to respond differently, rather than just letting it go. The illustrations don't do much to support the text. Overall this is a no for me.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dewdney and Schachner make a great team. This is rhythmic with a good message. “Whatever happens love will stay.” And “Everything will be ok.” Good for implicitly teaching preschoolers a mantra. I really like the “give yourself a hug” instruction that’s illustrated towards the end. This is a good anxiety reducing action for all ages.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cutesy rhyming tale assuring young children that even though they may have bad days, things don't always go their way, etc, everything will be ok.

A bit sugary sweet for my taste and I've never really been a fan of Schachner's illustrations, but this story will find a home with littles who need a bit of encouragement that life won't always be so hard.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it, and it has a good message. Though, there wasn't much too it either. I believe it's trying to bring worry and anxiety down to the really little, but I'm not sure it quite hit the mark. It just felt repetitive.

[Becky Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for any kid these days...life is stressful and this book has all the reminders that in the end....Everything will be ok. I will be reading this again soon to my Storytime kiddos because I just love the reassurance and calmness of the book.

[Anne Watson · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this book various things happen to the character his cat alongside and he is reminded that he will be OK.

That is a fine message as such but there are really no details given as to why or how things work out and are ok. Being said this book is only ok, and could have been much better.

[Cassie Veselovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reassuring picture book will comfort a toddler or preschooler with the rhyming, tender story and the adorable illustrations by Judy Schachner. Some days aren't perfect and sometimes things do go wrong but know, everything will be ok.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book reassures young readers that everything will be ok.

"Sometimes nothing goes your way. Everything will be OK."

I appreciated how the book began with the extremely relatable experience of one not getting the type of sandwich that ones wants in one's lunch.