WOWRUS LOOKS ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, by Monica Roe and Caroline McPherson, Penguin Workshop, Sept. 22, 2026, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-5)
A walrus learns how to cope with hard things in Wowrus Looks on the Bright Side, by Monica Roe and Caroline McPherson.
Walrus is such a good friend. In fact, he’s so good at cheering friends up and finding the bright side in any situation that sometimes his friends call him “Wowrus.”
But when Walrus breaks a tusk during the Great Iceberg Classic, it hurts! He doesn’t want to hear about the silver linings of having only one tusk! As he nurses his wound, Walrus starts to understand that pointing out the positive doesn’t always help. It takes Narwhal listening to him for Walrus to realize that perhaps not everything can—or should—be bright all the time…and that’s okay too. —Synopsis provided by Penguin Workshop
Wowrus is a gentle picture book that encourages readers to sit with feelings, even when they are uncomfortable. Author Monica Roe’s text is warm and inviting. And her explanation of how to recognize feelings is accessible. Illustrator Caroline McPherson’s sweet illustrations will resonate with little readers.
Excellent backmatter introduces readers to each of Walrus’ cute friends, and an author’s note goes into further detail on toxic positivity.
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