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What Do You Do With...
What Do You Do With a Problem?
ŷ Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Picture Books (2016)From the same author and illustrator as our #1 nationally best-selling What Do You Do With an Idea? comes a new book to encourage you to look closely at problems and discover the possibilities they can hold.
What do you do with a problem? Especially one that follows you around and doesn't seem to be going away? Do you worry about it? Ignore it? Do you run and hide from it?
This is the story of a persistent problem and the child who isn't so sure what to make of it. The longer the problem is avoided, the bigger it seems to get. But when the child finally musters up the courage to face it, the problem turns out to be something quite different than it appeared.
This is a story for anyone, at any age, who has ever had a problem that they wished would go away. It's a story to inspire you to look closely at that problem and to find out why it's here. Because you might discover something amazing about your problem� and yourself.
What are problems for? They challenge us, shape us, push us, and help us to discover just how strong and brave and capable we really are. Even though we don't always want them, problems have a way of bringing unexpected gifts.
So, what will you do with your problem? Now that's up to you.
What do you do with a problem? Especially one that follows you around and doesn't seem to be going away? Do you worry about it? Ignore it? Do you run and hide from it?
This is the story of a persistent problem and the child who isn't so sure what to make of it. The longer the problem is avoided, the bigger it seems to get. But when the child finally musters up the courage to face it, the problem turns out to be something quite different than it appeared.
This is a story for anyone, at any age, who has ever had a problem that they wished would go away. It's a story to inspire you to look closely at that problem and to find out why it's here. Because you might discover something amazing about your problem� and yourself.
What are problems for? They challenge us, shape us, push us, and help us to discover just how strong and brave and capable we really are. Even though we don't always want them, problems have a way of bringing unexpected gifts.
So, what will you do with your problem? Now that's up to you.
36 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2016
50 people are currently reading
6,352 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 870 reviews
May 29, 2022
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Winston Churchill
If I was to sum up this book in one quote, it would undoubtedly be the above. This is a book that tries to teach children that with every problem, there is an opportunity to go along with it. Facing problems can be hard, or scary� but there's potential beyond them.
This concept is explained in story form and with beautiful illustrations� and when I say beautiful, I mean it.
Interesting use of darkness and grays, until a solution starts to change the style. Very nice.
Overall I liked this book, but I think it is one that will be hard for a child to fully grasp. My daughter enjoyed it, but it really feels like one of those children's books written more for the adults than the kids. Still, a nice read, and one that hopefully will linger in a child's mind when a problem does arise. 4/5 stars
- Winston Churchill
If I was to sum up this book in one quote, it would undoubtedly be the above. This is a book that tries to teach children that with every problem, there is an opportunity to go along with it. Facing problems can be hard, or scary� but there's potential beyond them.
This concept is explained in story form and with beautiful illustrations� and when I say beautiful, I mean it.
Interesting use of darkness and grays, until a solution starts to change the style. Very nice.
Overall I liked this book, but I think it is one that will be hard for a child to fully grasp. My daughter enjoyed it, but it really feels like one of those children's books written more for the adults than the kids. Still, a nice read, and one that hopefully will linger in a child's mind when a problem does arise. 4/5 stars
July 3, 2016
Too overtly didactic in my opinion. I'm not a fan of books that are written solely to teach kids a lesson at the expense of any meaningful storyline.
October 13, 2022
Love this series by Yamada! This one inspired a great conversation with my nephew, almost 5, about different ways of looking at, and therefore approaching, frustrations.
December 21, 2016
Not only is What Do You Do with a Problem visually stunning, there is an adorable teaching point that captured my son's attention--a winning combination that is definitely mother-approved.
November 14, 2016
Each year I and my family read and rate all the ŷ picture book nominees. This one is nominated for 2016. I make a few comments and then add their separate ratings and a comment. There's 20 (15 first round and 5 new ones for the semi-final round) and this is the eleventh being rated. My rating might be somewhat influenced by the family, naturally. I might have rated this lower but they seemed to like it, and Harry loved it (for reasons not clear to me).
This is a non-fiction book about how to approach and solve problems that could be useful for kids. Unfortunately, as I see it, it is abstract--we get no examples of problems one might face to show how his principles might be enacted. Thus it comes off didactic, just a set of principles, none of them surprising or fresh. The art by Mae Besam was good, sketchy, expressive, so this was what I liked about it. Me? 2 1/2 stars.
Tara (my wife): 3 1/2 stars. For cool illustrations,
Harry (11): 5 stars. What DO you do with a problem? This guides you.
Hank (10): 3 stars. Good.
Lyra (9): 3 stars. Not great but I love the problem he has.
This is a non-fiction book about how to approach and solve problems that could be useful for kids. Unfortunately, as I see it, it is abstract--we get no examples of problems one might face to show how his principles might be enacted. Thus it comes off didactic, just a set of principles, none of them surprising or fresh. The art by Mae Besam was good, sketchy, expressive, so this was what I liked about it. Me? 2 1/2 stars.
Tara (my wife): 3 1/2 stars. For cool illustrations,
Harry (11): 5 stars. What DO you do with a problem? This guides you.
Hank (10): 3 stars. Good.
Lyra (9): 3 stars. Not great but I love the problem he has.
June 18, 2016
So many problem solving techniques to discuss with readers.
Perfect for the beginning of the year.
Perfect for all readers.
Picture books are for everyone.
Perfect for the beginning of the year.
Perfect for all readers.
Picture books are for everyone.
June 19, 2021
بخشی از کتاب:
هر مشکل فرصتی برای یک اتفاق خوب است.
فقط کافی است خوب دنبالش بگردی تا پیدایش کنی.
هر مشکل فرصتی برای یک اتفاق خوب است.
فقط کافی است خوب دنبالش بگردی تا پیدایش کنی.
July 17, 2016
#bookaday This story starts out great. There are many middle schoolers who come to school every day with problems. The illustration of the problem was so realistic of how a adolescent feels when they have this problem hanging over their head. I could see the anxiety. Illustrations are breathtaking.
About 1/2 through book the character decides to tackle the problem. The message here is that every problem is an opportunity to learn, grow, be brave.
My heart goes out to those kids who are experiencing family problems such as abuse, drug/alcohol, death and sickness. I'm afraid this solution may be a little too simplistic. The learning may not come until years later when they have had time to mature, grow and reflect.
About 1/2 through book the character decides to tackle the problem. The message here is that every problem is an opportunity to learn, grow, be brave.
My heart goes out to those kids who are experiencing family problems such as abuse, drug/alcohol, death and sickness. I'm afraid this solution may be a little too simplistic. The learning may not come until years later when they have had time to mature, grow and reflect.
March 30, 2022
Author Kobi Yamada and illustrator Mae Besom, whose previous picture-book collaboration,
was a surprise best-seller, return with this second inspirational tale. A young boy, troubled by a problem that he cannot seem to get rid of, finds that his avoidance of dealing with it only causes it to grow larger and more threatening. Finally, upon deciding that he simply must do something about it, he discovers that his problem has a hidden blessing: it provides an opportunity.
As with its predecessor, I really liked the way that text and illustration worked together in What Do You Do With a Problem?, appreciating both the changes in color scheme - as the boy moves from avoidance to accepting and dealing with his problem, the palette changes from a fairly dreary black, white and gray, to a more vibrant and colorful range of hues - and the way that the problem itself is depicted as a black cloud following the boy. Although by no means an original idea, the use of the cloud, and the way that it grows as the boy ignores it, was well done, communicating visually the message that the text is also working to impart. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed Yamada and Besom's previous foray into picture-books, or who is looking for stories about problem-solving for young children.
As with its predecessor, I really liked the way that text and illustration worked together in What Do You Do With a Problem?, appreciating both the changes in color scheme - as the boy moves from avoidance to accepting and dealing with his problem, the palette changes from a fairly dreary black, white and gray, to a more vibrant and colorful range of hues - and the way that the problem itself is depicted as a black cloud following the boy. Although by no means an original idea, the use of the cloud, and the way that it grows as the boy ignores it, was well done, communicating visually the message that the text is also working to impart. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed Yamada and Besom's previous foray into picture-books, or who is looking for stories about problem-solving for young children.
May 20, 2016
Another winner from Kobi Yamada & Mae Besom! This should be paired with their What Do You Do With An Idea and placed in every child's library. And, yes, us big kids can learn something from it too.
February 22, 2020
A Zen üzenetekre és az Oroszlán a könyvtárbanra emlékeztet a hangvétel és a vizuális élmény is. Szeretem az ilyet, ahol csendesen, szépen tanít a szöveg, miközben egészen fantasztikus képeken jelenik meg a történet. Fontos megtanítani a gyerekeknek, hogy a probléma elől nem elfutni kell, és nem félelemmel kezelhetetlenné dagasztani, hanem bátran beleállni, és megoldani. Kiderül, hogy egy lehetőség van benne (bocs a spoilerért). Csodásan követik a rajzok a lelki folyamatokat. És minél előbb rögzül a mondanivaló, annál jobb, olyan sok felnőtt sem tudja ezt. Persze nem elég mondani, meg is kell mutatni annak a gyereknek, nem prédikációból tanulnak ugyanis, hanem példából.
November 3, 2018
The first half of this book is basically my life -- a kid has a problem, which follows him around like a storm cloud. He avoids and avoids the problem and it keeps getting larger and larger. Eventually the kid sinks into a deep depression and never wants to get out of bed (the bed part might just be me). He decides to tackle the problem, and it cracks open and gold light spills out because "every problem has an opportunity for something good."
That line is so sweet it makes my teeth hurt. And really, every problem. Similar to the last book, What Do You Do with an Idea?, it says every _________ is _________.
I don't like encouraging binary thought in children. That's a problem. Maybe it does have an opportunity within it -- that I can write my own complicated weird kids' book. Shit, maybe this book was right after all.
That line is so sweet it makes my teeth hurt. And really, every problem. Similar to the last book, What Do You Do with an Idea?, it says every _________ is _________.
I don't like encouraging binary thought in children. That's a problem. Maybe it does have an opportunity within it -- that I can write my own complicated weird kids' book. Shit, maybe this book was right after all.
July 1, 2017
"What Do You Do with a Problem?" and its predecessor, "What Do You Do With An Idea?" are so, so great for kids' development. While there's not a fantasy story going on, the text provides a life lesson that will serve children well along with fantastical drawing elements that will provide the wonder. I will read and use any book Kobi Yamada cares to write in my classroom.
July 13, 2016
Excellent book, it shows how running away or hiding from problems won't solve them. As well as teaching you how in every adversity there is an opportunity.
July 10, 2020
این سه گانه رو خیلی دوس دارم
February 25, 2025
((هر مشکلی فرصتی است برای یک اتفاق خوب))
February 9, 2017
The best picture book to read after the 2016 elections.Problems challenge us, shape us, push and help us discover how strong and capable we are.W e as the people need to stick together because we just might have dark times ahead of us.
September 8, 2017
I loved the message and thought the illustrations in this book were perfectly created and completely matched the meaning of each page!
Children (and adults!) learn the problems do not control you and you have the power to turn them into opportunities you never knew existed.
Children (and adults!) learn the problems do not control you and you have the power to turn them into opportunities you never knew existed.
March 26, 2022
تصویرسازیه� رو خیلی دوست داشتم ولی خود قصه رو نه خیلی.
June 28, 2020
Not as potentially harmful as the other two books in the series.
January 15, 2023
تصویر سازی قوی داشت به طوریکه کاملا فضارو آماده میکرد و باعث میشد خواننده اون چیزی رو که باید حس کنه.
داستان اونقدر که باید خوب شکل نگرفت بنظرم.
با توجه به موضوع نتیجه گیری خوبی داشت ولی خیلی جا داشت برای بهتر شدن.
داستان اونقدر که باید خوب شکل نگرفت بنظرم.
با توجه به موضوع نتیجه گیری خوبی داشت ولی خیلی جا داشت برای بهتر شدن.
June 6, 2016
Excellent, just like the last one. A must get for elem. libraries. So many kiddos who build up their problems into something giant when they aren't always. Not really. Plus lovely illustrations.
January 5, 2017
I read this to a group of 2nd graders. I think it was too abstract--they thought his problem related to the wind pushing the umbrella opened (in the illustration).
July 23, 2022
Pakankamai graži, rimta, stipri.
Bet lyg kažko ir pritrūko mums su dukra...
Bet lyg kažko ir pritrūko mums su dukra...
August 5, 2017
Mama got this for me to read with my youngest nephew who needs a little help with his reading. His two older sisters helped me with it, and the four of us took turns passing it around tonight. The youngest struggled with some of it, but I'm really pleased with the progress he's made since the last time I read with him which has been a couple of months. He actually got some of the harder words, so that's nice.
This is a good book for introducing a basic life skill to kids, though I think it's philosophically beyond its targeted age group. Still, it's never too early to start introducing it. I could see such ideas settling in a little later in life. It reminds me of that old saw of Winston Churchill's:
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
That's not exactly where the message was going, but it's close enough for government work. It also reminded me of some other stuff I've checked into over the years. When I focus on the problem, the problem grows. When I focus on the solution, the solution grows. It was basically that put into a short kid's book with pictures. There's no story, so to speak, unless you look at the pictures, which were pretty neat, but nothing to write home about.
I guess this is first grade level? I'm not a teacher, so it's hard to say. I think I saw somewhere it was suggested for ages 4-7. Check it out if you've a kid learning to read.
This is a good book for introducing a basic life skill to kids, though I think it's philosophically beyond its targeted age group. Still, it's never too early to start introducing it. I could see such ideas settling in a little later in life. It reminds me of that old saw of Winston Churchill's:
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
That's not exactly where the message was going, but it's close enough for government work. It also reminded me of some other stuff I've checked into over the years. When I focus on the problem, the problem grows. When I focus on the solution, the solution grows. It was basically that put into a short kid's book with pictures. There's no story, so to speak, unless you look at the pictures, which were pretty neat, but nothing to write home about.
I guess this is first grade level? I'm not a teacher, so it's hard to say. I think I saw somewhere it was suggested for ages 4-7. Check it out if you've a kid learning to read.
August 10, 2016
Really beautiful illustrations, look at it for them alone-but purely didactic. No hint of a story or characters to make it connect. Might be good for working with older anxious children, having them use it as a jumping point for talking about specifics.
June 27, 2016
This book would make a great mentor text for dealing with problems of all kinds.
March 11, 2017
Seems like this one will come in handy when worry hits the house.
April 14, 2024
خیلی شبیه «مهمانی به نام غصه» بود، برای همین خوندمش ولی اونو بیشتر دوست داشتم. برام خیلی جالبه که برای معرفی احساسات و مسائل مختلف به بچه ها سعی کردن اون ها رو به شکلی مجسم کنند.
«۲۶ فروردین ۰۳»
«۲۶ فروردین ۰۳»
May 8, 2021
Dieses Bilderbuch ist nicht nur großartig illustriert, nein, es spricht mir auch noch aus der Seele. Denn auch ich mache oft aus einer Mücke von Problem einen Elefanten, stresse mich und mache mir Sorgen über eine Aufgabe, die ich dann nach etlichen Tagen des Selbststresses in fünf Minuten erledige.
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