I am not the audience for this book, I Am a Spicy Nugget by Loryn Brantzas. This is due to the fact that the illustrations were “awkward” for me. Plus the story itself just did not have a “solid” hit in my “like this book” category. However, if you want a more modern take on the feelings theme, especially on anger, this can be a fun book.
The character of our story asks their mother if they can have a penguin and feed them carrots. The mother (probably pretty used to the random, absurd demands of her child) says “Not now dear.” And like any child, they throw a fit at this denial. But instead of damaging and being a royal brat, our child feels out their big feeling with the use of their BTBFF (Best Toy Bear Forever Friend). Usually you’d have the child go off to an imaginary world, or have a “big bad witch” (ie: the mother) to fight. But instead, we are in the “here and now” for the duration of things.
There is one thing that I was not keen on, which is that the child throws their BBTFF. However, later there is a description in the extras that throwing things is only okay as long as no one gets hurt. Okay, that works. And within the story, the part that I did like is that she does immediately feel sorry for tossing her BTBFF (who is very forgiving. I’m sure this isn’t its first rodeo). Things are realistic and relatable, but also has a cartoon element. Overall it was good, just not great for me.
Due Sept 2026 I read via an online reader copy. I might read again, as it might be one of those books I need multiple reads t o really “get the feel” of things.
