What a Cold Needs by Barbara Bottner, Chris Sheban
Published by Neal Porter Books on February 12th 2019
ISBN: 0823441725
Pages: 32
Goodreads

This singularly focused picture book, for readers ages 2-6, portrays the ebbs and flows of someone suffering from a pesky cold with precision.  From the red sore nose to the comforts of grandma’s chicken soup, Bottner captures the experience well.  Even after the young girl in the story has recuperated, the cold has found another victim in the multi-generational family.  The layout includes a variety of spreads that match the text and draw out the misery of a stuffy nose.  Sheban’s grey based colors provide the spot-on atmosphere of those feeling the effects of a cold, showing expression and the correct amount of sick weariness.  Pair this with Stead’s A Sick Day for Amos Mcgee as a perfect panacea for someone staying in bed due to a cold or a story time about health.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library