One Upside-Downy Day

Renée Kurilla has illustrated several books for children including Chicks Rule! and Chicks Rock! by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Right This Very Minute by Lisl H. Detlefsen, My Pet Slime series by Courtney Sheinmel, and the Ada Lace series by Emily Calandrelli. She both wrote and illustrated One Springy, Singy Day and TheFlower Garden. Kurilla lives in the woods just south of Boston with her illustrator husband, Keith Zoo, and their daughter, Zoey. One Upside-Downy Day was inspired by growy, throwy, showy Zoey and is a love letter to every kiddo who shows grit and resilience while making it through to the other side of a tough day. Kurilla can otherwise be found with her nose in a book, drawing, or attempting an ill-fated headstand. Learn more about her at kurillastration.com.

Whether everything is “too much-y” or not “enough-y,” a book like this, addressed to readers directly, can help. A clear and useful message: Feelings change, and, ultimately, “It’s all going to be okay.”