Party Panic‪!‬

A reassuring, rhyming picture book about sensory overstimulation and what kids can do when a party becomes overwhelming, from the creative team of Too Much!

Too sugary! Too smelly! Too people-y! Too yell-y!
When overwhelm weighs down on me,
I pause, relax, set myself free.

Who hasn’t felt some anxiety before attending a party? This highly relatable story about a child’s experience at a skating rink birthday bash will feel familiar to many kids and their caregivers. From the smells to the food to the VERY loud DJ, it’s all totally overwhelming to the main character, who also starred in Too Much!: An Overwhelming Day, now in its ninth printing, with seven foreign editions.

Writing from her own experience with sensory processing disorder (SPD), Jolene Gutiérrez’s compassionate text explores the struggles of a sensorily sensitive child at a birthday party. Angel Chang’s charming illustrations show young readers that it’s OK to take a moment for themselves in a quiet spot. An extensive author’s note to caregivers and educators explores party panic, how best to prepare for a social event (like creating a script to follow!), and other ways to self-soothe.