About the Holiday

National Stress Awareness Day was established in 1998 by Caroline Spiers, the chairperson of the International Stress Management Association (ISMA). ISMA promotes knowledge about stress and helps people recognize, manage, and reduce stress in their personal and professional lives. The first Wednesday of November was chosen as this holiday’s date as Wednesday is typically seen as the most exhausting and stressful day of the week. The day encourages people to “take a deep breath and embrace peace.” Children also feel stress and learning ways to decompress and lesson those feelings now can lead to a happier and healthier life. Today’s book can help families get blasting in the right direction.

Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books for sharing a digital copy of this book with me for review!

I Need Space

Written by Molly Harris | Illustrated by Jon Corby

For Rocco the rocket ship, outer space was like “one gigantic playground.” He loved swinging from satellites and sliding along Saturn’s rings. “It was all a blast” until the “hoggers,” “line-cutters,” and “toy-stealers” showed up. Even moving farther away didn’t help when the rough-housing meteors crashed through, knocking Rocky here and there and into space debris. Rocky just wanted some space.

Rocco and his friend zipped off to the edge of the solar system, where it was quiet and peaceful—”all the things he needed to cool his jets and refill his tank.” Here he could appreciate the universe and his place in it “in a whole new way.” Back home, Rocco retrieved his toys and kept a comfortable distance from the meteors while playing hide and seek—his favorite game.

Back matter includes a few fascinating facts about space and a list of techniques that can help kids recharge or recover when big feelings become overwhelming.

In Molly Harris’s pun-filled, metaphorical story, Rocco’s experiences with more rowdy playmates, his escape to a calmer quadrant of space, and his return with a new perspective, more patience, and ideas for games he’ll enjoy opens many avenues for children and adults to talk about emotions, different personality types, and how to tend to self-care when feeling overwhelmed. The book also offers the opportunity to for discussions on friendship, playing fairly, and being aware of others’ feelings. Harris’s fun, fast-paced storytelling is entertaining, with examples children will readily recognize and a supportive relationship between Rocco and his alien friend.

Jon Corby’s adorable characters and brilliant color palette make I Need Space a visual treat that immediately captures readers’ attention and puts them squarely in Rocco’s corner. As Rocco comes to the end of his tether after being bumped and tossed by the meteors, Corby draws him in closeup, straining against the sides of the page in a burning red swirl. In a moment he shoots himself into deep, black space, where he feels most at home. Crosby presents relatable scenes that cause Rocco stress, as well as a magical view of space that children will love to linger over.

Comforting, reassuring, and fun, I Need Space twinkles with personality and practical help for stressful situations would be a go-to book on home bookshelves and is highly recommended for all library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1665980579

About the Author

Molly Harris is the author of picture books The Big Squeeze, Whirby, and I Need Space. She is a technical writer by trade who enjoys world traveling and working on too many projects at once. Originally from Massachusetts, she now lives in Ireland with her husband and two sons. Visit her at MollyHarrisBooks.com.

About the Illustrator

Jon Corby is an illustrator and children’s book designer. He earned his BFA in illustration from Syracuse University and is currently based in Pennsylvania. I Need Space is his debut picture book. Learn more about his work at JonCorbyArt.com.

National Stress Awareness Day Activity

Starry Mindfulness Jar

You can capture the beauty of starry space with this easy craft perfect for calming contemplation.

Supplies

• Small to medium mason jar or other decorative jar with a tight lid
• White glitter glue,
• Light blue glitter glue,
• Fine white and/or blue glitter
• Large white and/or blue glitter
• Warm water

Directions

1.For every 1/2 cup of warm water add:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons white glitter glue
• 1/2 teaspoon blue glitter glue
• 2 teaspoons fine glitter glue
• 1/2 teaspoon large glitter

2. Close lid tightly

3. Shake

4. As glue dissolves, the liquid will become clearer and the glitter will remain suspended in it

You can purchase I Need Space from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

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