This book (at the time of my writing) is the latest by New York Times bestselling author Kobi Yamada. His other titles include What Do You Do With an Idea? (2014) and What Do You Do With a Problem? (2016). I highly recommend all three, and I will be reviewing What Do you Do With a Problem? at a future date! (Follow this link to purchase all three books as a set!)
At the beginning of the story, the main character–an unnamed boy–sees a chance. At first, he is tentative: unsure of whether he’s ready or brave enough to take it. Soon, however, when the next chance comes, he decides to seize it, but trips and falls. He feels so embarrassed that he decides to ignore all future chances, and the more he does, the less the chances seem to come. But the boy realizes he still wants a chance–so he starts to prepare for it. He realizes he doesn’t need to be brave always, but simply “at the right time”. So when he sees the next chance on the horizon, he is prepared: “It wasn’t that I was no longer afraid, but now my excitement was bigger than my fear,” he says. He takes that leap, and holds on hard, realizing that this chance may lead to an unknown and beautiful future.
“It wasn’t that I was no longer afraid, but now my excitement was bigger than my fear…”
What Do You Do With a Chance? by Kobi Yamada
Content: 4
Style: 4.5
This story about taking chances is less of a specific person’s story and more like the story of all of us; less about a specific kind of chance and the specific fears it may bring and more about any chance, every chance, and its accompanying fears.
On the one hand, this is a good thing, as the non-specific language and illustrations make the book easily applicable to any person, facing any opportunity, dealing with any kind of fear. On the other hand, the lack of characterization and specificity makes the story “stick” with the reader less; however, what the books lacks in story line, it makes up for with it’s clear, universal message and breathtaking illustrations.
Design: 5
The illustrations are beautiful and so different from what one normally finds in the children’s books. The illustrator uses pencil and watercolor and light to draw the reader’s attention toward the main character and his chance, leaving plenty of white space on the page for the reader to reflect on the book’s message, filling that empty space with his or her own story of chasing–and missing–opportunities. The content and art in this book make it a fabulous read, keepsake, and gift for both kids and adults.
Overall: 13.5/15
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