I'm sorry to say this but this book is daft. The message it wants to put through is of course a sensible one: whatever challenge you face, be brave, focus on the good things, smile, don't be scared, go for it and enjoy! But. Some of the situations in this picture book have nothing to do with being scared. Eat your vegetables, or do your homework? What's scary there?

I thought that this book - I'm NOT scared, I'm EXCITED! is a really good book!

The story is well written, and I loved the messages that come though with the story - the book has a great focus on building confidence and resilience in younger children.

The book is done in a really great way that it comes over quite subtly and it has good points to use as a prompt to discuss the points mentioned too and to help them to overcome any fears that they may have. I liked the repetitive nature of the book too.

The book has some wonderful illustrations to bring the story to life - I really enjoyed them.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

I'm NOT scared, I'm EXCITED!!! is a bute children's book that empowers kids to shift their mindset and overcome fears with positivity. Through Adam’s infectious enthusiasm, the book teaches young readers how to face challenges head-on with a smile. I really enjoyed how the simple, upbeat message made me feel more optimistic while reading, and I know kids will love repeating the mantra "I'm not scared, I'm excited!" This book is a great tool for building confidence and resilience in little ones

Alright, this book is seriously adorable! I'm NOT scared, I'm EXCITED!!! had me grinning from ear to ear. Adam’s secret to turning fear into excitement? Genius! I mean, if kids can learn to be pumped instead of panicked, that’s a win, right? Plus, the whole "big smile, breathe deeply" thing is something we could all use, if I’m being honest. If you’ve got kiddos who need a boost of bravery, snag this one—it’s a total confidence-builder! 💪✨

If you're looking for a cute book to talk to your 1st-4th grader about worries and fears, this is the book for you!
Overall: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ /5
Artwork: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5
Language: ⭐️ ⭐️ /5


Overall, Adam's story about how he handles his fears is cute and I can see how it would be relatable for some children. I loved the artwork, it was colorful and consistent. I appreciated the diversity of the book characters. The language was inconsistent with some pages following a rhyme scheme and others having no order at all. I think this would have read better (especially for the age group) if the whole book rhymed and the pages had similar text lengths. Additionally, as a parent to a Kindergartener and a teacher, myself, I would have loved if the story showed kids more about how to accept their fears. Instead, Adam repeated that he would "smile" and everything will be okay.

All in all, I liked this book story, but would have LOVED it if the above changes were taken into consideration in later books.