A very nervous ostrich pushes past her anxiety in this funny, endearing picture book by the author/illustrator of Bodies Are Cool (co-written with her sister).
When Opal the ostrich is anxious, her neck feels as wobbly as a spaghetti noodle. Her family lovingly calls this “The Noodles,” and tries their best to help. But it’s not easy to calm down when you’re a worrier like Opal—especially when you’re worrying about somebody else’s opinion of you.
Now it’s the day of her family’s annual party, and Opal is in charge of picking up the triple-layer-double-custard-beet-and-berry tart from the bakery—a big responsibility! What if she does something wrong? What if somebody gets mad at her? Opal is having a serious case of the Noodles.
This light-hearted take on social anxiety is just the right amount silly and sweet—perfect for young children and anyone else who has ever gotten The Noodles.
"A comforting story about a problem many kids deal with; it reassures them that worries aren’t unusual and don’t have to feel overwhelming. The authors leave readers with the realistic yet optimistic view that anxiety doesn’t disappear altogether but can be confronted through one’s own positive outlook and support from family and friends. Colorful, cartoony digital illustrations are lively and endearing; note the enjoyable seek-and-find opportunity at the end." —Kirkus
"Tyler Feder and sister Cody Feder wisely don’t try to solve their protagonist’s concerns, but by giving anxiety a specific name and reiteratively showing the world to be an essentially benevolent place—portrayed via crisp cartooning in bright pastel colors—they underscore both the bird’s bravery and her burgeoning self-knowledge that when the Noodles come, 'she would be okay'." —Publishers Weekly
"This gentle bookabout children dealing with anxieties reassures kids that even if they get a case of the Noodles,they will be OK. The bright illustrations, which make great use of Opal's long neck to visualizeher anxiety, offer a chance to find the hidden chameleon throughout the book." —Booklist
"Tyler and Cody Feder collaborate on this sweet and silly picture book that teaches children how to cope with social anxiety. This is an excellent read-aloud to reassure readers that everyone can have a case of The Noodles, and the book has potential for a fun reread to search for Opal’s chameleon friend hidden in theillustrations." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"llustrations are digitally created and capture Opal’s emotions effectively. This title will be helpful to children in recognizing their own anxiety and also how other children might befeeling." —School Library Journal
Tyler Feder is a Chicago-based artist whose work explores Big Feelings, feminism, and pop culture. She graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Radio/TV/Film and a fancy certificate in Creative Writing for the Media. After college, she studied comedy writing at The Second City Training Center and began posting drawings online, both of which were equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Since then, Tyler has illustrated Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin’s Unladylike, Leah Henderson’s Together We March, and many angsty self-portraits. Tyler wrote andillustrated the acclaimed picture book Bodies Are Cool, and she continues to sell prints and the occasional portrait at her long-running Etsy shop, Roaring Softly. Tyler’s favorite color is pink (obviously).
View titles by Tyler Feder
A very nervous ostrich pushes past her anxiety in this funny, endearing picture book by the author/illustrator of Bodies Are Cool (co-written with her sister).
When Opal the ostrich is anxious, her neck feels as wobbly as a spaghetti noodle. Her family lovingly calls this “The Noodles,” and tries their best to help. But it’s not easy to calm down when you’re a worrier like Opal—especially when you’re worrying about somebody else’s opinion of you.
Now it’s the day of her family’s annual party, and Opal is in charge of picking up the triple-layer-double-custard-beet-and-berry tart from the bakery—a big responsibility! What if she does something wrong? What if somebody gets mad at her? Opal is having a serious case of the Noodles.
This light-hearted take on social anxiety is just the right amount silly and sweet—perfect for young children and anyone else who has ever gotten The Noodles.
Praise
"A comforting story about a problem many kids deal with; it reassures them that worries aren’t unusual and don’t have to feel overwhelming. The authors leave readers with the realistic yet optimistic view that anxiety doesn’t disappear altogether but can be confronted through one’s own positive outlook and support from family and friends. Colorful, cartoony digital illustrations are lively and endearing; note the enjoyable seek-and-find opportunity at the end." —Kirkus
"Tyler Feder and sister Cody Feder wisely don’t try to solve their protagonist’s concerns, but by giving anxiety a specific name and reiteratively showing the world to be an essentially benevolent place—portrayed via crisp cartooning in bright pastel colors—they underscore both the bird’s bravery and her burgeoning self-knowledge that when the Noodles come, 'she would be okay'." —Publishers Weekly
"This gentle bookabout children dealing with anxieties reassures kids that even if they get a case of the Noodles,they will be OK. The bright illustrations, which make great use of Opal's long neck to visualizeher anxiety, offer a chance to find the hidden chameleon throughout the book." —Booklist
"Tyler and Cody Feder collaborate on this sweet and silly picture book that teaches children how to cope with social anxiety. This is an excellent read-aloud to reassure readers that everyone can have a case of The Noodles, and the book has potential for a fun reread to search for Opal’s chameleon friend hidden in theillustrations." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"llustrations are digitally created and capture Opal’s emotions effectively. This title will be helpful to children in recognizing their own anxiety and also how other children might befeeling." —School Library Journal
Author
Tyler Feder is a Chicago-based artist whose work explores Big Feelings, feminism, and pop culture. She graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Radio/TV/Film and a fancy certificate in Creative Writing for the Media. After college, she studied comedy writing at The Second City Training Center and began posting drawings online, both of which were equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Since then, Tyler has illustrated Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin’s Unladylike, Leah Henderson’s Together We March, and many angsty self-portraits. Tyler wrote andillustrated the acclaimed picture book Bodies Are Cool, and she continues to sell prints and the occasional portrait at her long-running Etsy shop, Roaring Softly. Tyler’s favorite color is pink (obviously).
View titles by Tyler Feder
