A CBC Recommended Book

Gloria loves to sing, dance, and act in her bedroom, but not in public. No way. Gloria’s big problem makes sure of that, following her wherever she goes and constantly reminding her that she’s anxious and frightened, that she’s not good enough, and that everyone will laugh at her. Anxious Gloria worries all the time, about everything. Until, one day, Gloria summons all her courage to try out for a community theater production. She marches herself to the audition, and her big problem marches right in behind her. She gets up on stage, and her big problem takes a seat in the front row and starts to laugh at her. And then at last she yells “STOP!”, and her big problem shrinks to a little problem, and Gloria wins a part in the play.

Sarah Stiles Bright teaches college English and writes from Portland, Maine. Her deep appreciation for place, wildness, and the restorative power of the land and sea―along with her love of playful teaching―underlies much of her current writing, including essays and a children’s story based on Passamaquoddy legend. She lives with her Bernese mountain dog and has two grown children who are resoundingly present in Gloria.

Mike Deas (Salt Spring Island, British Columbia) got his flair for illustrative storytelling from an early love of reading and drawing. He fine-tuned his drawing skills and imagination at Capilano College’s Commercial Animation Program in Vancouver, then work as a concept artist, texture artist, and art lead in the video game industry took him to England and California before he returned to with his family to sunny Salt Spring Island.

“There’s a lot of empathy and solidarity in these pages.” — Publishers Weekly

“A clever story for young people to help them overcome their fears and insecurities.” — Kids’ BookBuzz

The book accurately depicts the way that anxiety often makes some outlandish what-ifs seem very probable and small things seem just as devastating. It also makes the case for Gloria's family and friends to treat her needs seriously, and it emphasizes that although she sometimes feels "bonkers," she definitely isn't. In the collection of books that conceptualize mental conditions, this one respects the afflicted protagonist and politely insists that others should as well. Sensitive and emotionally realistic. - Kirkus Reviews

Gloria's BIG Problem