Warm & Fuzzy
Scott Rothman sent me a manuscript about two friends, one down for anything, one worried about everything, including whether there would be toilet paper. I said yes right away.
Scott’s character development is spot on. Fuzzy's anxiety isn't something to fix. It's just part of who they are, and Warm loves them anyway.
The hardest part was figuring out what these two actually looked like. Warm went through a lot of versions, polar bear, regular bear, mouse bear, before landing on the big furry creature you see in the book. Fuzzy took even longer. I grew up an anxious kid, and I always thought no one captured that feeling better than Alan Tiegreen's illustrations for the Ramona books. I really didn’t want to mess this up.
Mostly I just hope some anxious kid picks this up, feels a little less alone, and also laughs at the toilet paper jokes.
Words by Scott Rothman
Pictures by Brian Won
Published by Tundra Books
Alan Tiegreen’s illustration of Romona Quimby 
“Rothman’s latest picture book gives new meaning to the common phrase warm and fuzzy. . . . The soft, rounded art style creates a gentle atmosphere amplified by warm light and the earthy hues encountered on their journey. A fun and helpful read about overcoming anxieties that doesn’t hit too close to home.” —STARRED REVIEW, Booklist
“With themes of coping with anxiety, choosing to venture out even when it’s scary, and finding wonderment in every day events, Rothman’s book is a near ideal read-aloud for children.” —School Library Journal
“Warmly lit digital artwork by Won, with characters rendered in soft textures of colored pencil hatching, visualizes how getting out of one’s comfort zone can be liberating and fun.” —Publishers Weekly
“Won’s art, rendered digitally in a palette of soft greens, browns, and purples, is reminiscent of colored-pencil drawings; orange and yellow pastel hues create stunning sunrise and sunset skies. This one will soothe young worrywarts and empower their caregivers.”
—The Horn Book
“For the worriers and their steadfast counterparts who offer reassurances, Scott Rothman gives us Warm and Fuzzy, a touching example of anxiety and the gentle ways in which to handle it. . . . This funny, heartwarming, and touching story about resilience, anxiety, growth, and overcoming our worries is perfect for young readers with a million questions.”
—Young Adulting
