Somewhere, Right Now

by Kerry Docherty, Suzie Mason (Illustrations)

Debut author Kerry Docherty reminds us that even when we are having a bad day, just imagining that somewhere, right now, something beautiful is happening can bring a feeling of calm.

When Alma is experiencing the lows of unexpected disappointment, her mom offers her the wise advice that she just might feel better if she closes her eyes and pictures something beautiful that's happening in nature.

Inspired by the current pandemic, this book is a relevant but timeless reminder that somewhere in the world something beautiful is happening. Maybe it's a baby whale being born, or perhaps it's the sun coming out on a cloudy day; right now our resilient world is making something incredible happen.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Kids, Animals, Family, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 22, 2022

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I woke up, I noticed that something was very off for me. I wasn’t feeling ill. I was just feeling off.

So…

I started to write.

Because…

When I do, I can be honest with myself about what I am feeling.

And…

Thinking.

And…

This is what I noticed.

I am shrinking from life. My interest is waning. I am losing my zeal and passion. I know my involvement is key. I need to be an active participant. On walks, I can be mesmerized by the moments. Joyful with my dogs. Especially when we have beach days.

But…

I have lost my energy – my zest.

When I talked with my therapist, it became clear that so much of what is causing the feelings of being unmotivated, shut down, uninspired…even overwhelmed, has a lot to do with what is happening outside of us. The things we cannot control. The wars. The devastation. The lack of civility. The injustices. The government chaos.

Sometimes…

We just need to find alternative ways to reduce our stressors, by cultivating our emotional bank account relationship with ourself (and others), by making some deposits.
Whatever makes us content. Or peaceful. Notice what is around us. Make note of it.

And…

Continue to add deposits so we are not in emotional debt.

So…

What can put a smile on our face?

And…

You are probably wondering what does this have to do with this book?

It has everything to do with this book.

What I am sharing, what I was experiencing is the message of this book.

When something isn’t quite going right for each person in this family, someone always says…

“Take a deep breath and imagine that somewhere, right now…

Something beautiful is happening.”

And…

That is what can be deposited in our emotional piggy bank.

Sometimes…

That is all it takes, is a gentle reminder. That we are not alone.

And…

We can be kind and gentle with ourselves, too.

Interest levels: Kindergarten – Grade 4.

But…

In this case, adults, too. 🥰

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a moment to slow down and appreciate life, read the picture book, Somewhere, Right Now, by Kerry Docherty. In this story we see members of one family each experience strong emotions such as fear, anger, and sadness. One by one, as their feelings are recognized, they take a moment to focus. By understanding that “somewhere, right now” a great thing is happening, they move away from the negativity and, instead, their imaginations transport them to uplifting thoughts about animals in nature.

The realistic illustrations by Suzie Mason capture the smattering of dark moods and offset them with plenty of joyful, kind images. Kids will learn that we all feel down sometimes and how a few words can make a huge difference. This book is very much needed in today’s fast-paced, uncertain world; it provides simple instruction on how to help control our minds while also boosting the love and positivity around us if we just choose to look for it.

[Wanda Luthman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations are beautiful! The author did a great job conveying difficult emotions in gentle ways that children could understand without being frightened by them. The lyrical way it reads reminds me of the great classic, “Good night Moon.” I think parents, teachers, and child therapists can use this book to help children honor their feelings while also giving them a way to handle and release them. I give it a hearty 5 stars! Well done!

This book was provided to me as part of me sharing about it on my book blog www.wandaluthman.wordpress.com

I also have a degree in Psychology and work with children in a school setting.

[Sarah BT · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and gentle book about mindfulness and finding happiness in the small moments.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you're sad, or angry, or afraid, or tired... Think of something beautiful that might be happening somewhere else, or to someone else.
The mother comforts her daughter, the little girl comforts her brother, her brother comforts their father, and then all of them come together to comfort their mother.
It's sweet and touching.
The illustrations were nice!

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was written during Covid and is really about a family (a son, a daughter, and parents) who are either frustrated, angry, sad, or exhausted throughout the day. In it, the family members acknowledge those feelings in each other and then remind each other that somewhere, right now, something beautiful is still happening.

I think it's important for our children to know that their parents are also human and also go through everything and this idea of normalizing how we feel. This author gives us tools to put in our toolbox when our emotional resources are entirely diminished. I feel like this book comes in handy, especially right now, and is helpful for any family.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...

[Mary Nuss · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate this book. I hate when my toddler asks for it because while I think the emotion management technique is solid for her age I hate the message that mom is overwhelmed by the home’s messiness - a real problem that could be solved by the help of her family - and they’re like don’t sweat it mom! Be thankful you have a family to clean up after! Just reinforces the mental and physical load moms tend to carry unfairly.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son has been big into telling me to take a calming breath and how he takes them at school. This book is basically teaching your kid how to do that in story form. I think it’s beautiful done both in written and in illustrated form. Overall, 4/5 stars ⭐️

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Somewhere, Right Now, written by Kerry Docherty and illustrated by Suzie Mason, an everyday tale of encouragement and support.

Young Alma is feeling scared during a thunderstorm, but Mommy has words of advice for her: when feeling scared, it helps to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine something wonderful happening in the world. Picturing a mother and baby giraffe grazing on apricot leaves, Alma does feel better. She passes on this technique to her little brother Jack when she finds him feeling angry, who in turn passes it on to their father when Daddy is feeling sad. Their support comes full circle when Mommy is feeling overwhelmed, and they all find something wonderful to picture: a family, together and smiling in their home.

Lightweight but sweet. While this one offers a very nice reflection/self-care tip for readers, it does so in a way that feels a little simplistic, especially for readers whose emotions may be rooted in more significant problems. For instance, Alma and Jack’s father is sad because he is grieving over the death of his own mother. While Jack’s advice – to think of a baby horse learning to walk somewhere – is a genuinely sweet interaction, it also subtly sends the message that feeling grief over the loss of a loved one is something that can and should be easily gotten over with a moment’s meditation. As an emotional management technique for the kids, who are dealing with more superficial problems, the “somewhere, right now” method works very well; for the parents’ problems, it seems a little too superficial. Suzie Mason’s digital illustrations are soft and sweet, creating a mixed-race family with lovable characters and adding interesting details in the environments. The length is fine for very young bookworms, and JJ liked the animal imaginings quite a bit. Overall, it’s worth the read, especially for a look at managing emotions for young bookworms. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes the simplest things can help put things into focus.

Somewhere, Right Now
by Kerry Docherty
Illustrated by Suzie Mason

Mom comforts Alma, who feels scared during a thunderstorm, with this advice, “Sometimes when I’m scared it helps to imagine that something beautiful is happening in the world.” Alma closes her eyes and imagines a giraffe is grazing on apricot leaves.

And thus the pay-it-forward story begins. When Alma’s brother is upset over building blocks that fell to the ground, she shares Mom’s advice with him.

When Dad tells his son, “I miss your grandma’s face. I feel sad.” He gives his dad a hug, realizing that he sometimes misses people too. He then suggests that his dad imagine something beautiful that is happening in the world.

The helpful bit of advice rotates throughout the family until it comes full circle.

My Concerns
While this is beautifully illustrated and it can always help to put things into perspective, it felt a bit oversimplified. Sometimes feelings need to be validated and not pushed under the rug of imagination.

Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, after we pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, it does help to count our blessings and not dwell on fear, anger, sadness, etc. And while the family members did make an attempt to understand each other, it felt too insignificant.

It does offer wonderful opportunities for discussions.

My thanks for a gifted copy of the book.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a toddler, I thought this was a cute book. Helping kids to understand that sometimes we need to take a step back and reflect. This can help us reset before continuing on with our frustrations, sadness, anger, etc. It provides a moment for that extra relief giving a chance to think things over on our own.

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great resource for teaching kids how to take a step back and address their emotions. I just wish it was longer and showed more opportunities for the characters instead of just one chance per character.

[TwentyThree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is really one of mindfulness, remaining present, and learning how to manage difficult emotions. This is such an important lesson to start early on and can serve as a really important reminder with your little one.

[Lindsey Saez Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far we've read this book twice and I've cried twice. I did not expect the ending and it was exactly what I needed to read. (Happy tear kind of ending.) I like how it's a book about how a family helps each other with big feelings.

[Damita Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as a way to teach my daughter a healthy way to deal with her feelings.

This book wasn't very long but shows a family of four, all having a different mood and how they deal with it.

All of them take a deep breath and imagine something good going on somewhere else in the world.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents a wonderful coping mechanism -

" . . .it helps to imagine that something beautiful is happening in the world."

A lovely sentiment with gorgeous illustrations by Suzie Mason.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an e-ARC of this sweet story. Thinking about something beautiful somewhere is a great way to help lift your mood, and the examples are great.

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple book.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't say my child was enthralled, but I liked the message and even teared up a bit at the end.

[Cherish Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4☆ Would recommend)
Good book that addresses emotions. It gives verbiage for emotions and some practical ways to try to help kids handle them.

[Lochness M · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute

[Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short read for helping with self regulation techniques

[PottWab Regional Library]

A

[Quinn Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. We read this book almost every day, per my child’s request

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Kaitlynn Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet book! I would use this book to show my students that if they feel overwhelmed, angry, or sad they can imagine something beautiful going on somewhere in the world.

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter loves this book. It has opened up so many important discussions about how we can deal with hard or sad feelings.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Flamingo Books through Edelweiss+.
Encouraging story for helping younger readers cope with their emotions. After each character shares the emotion they are feeling, the same suggestion is given - imagine a place in the world where it is bright and calm. Terrific book to share as a family when emotions get out of control.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

okay, but not great.