A CURE FOR THE HICCUPS

A girl learns to solve a pesky, persistent problem.

Plagued with the hiccups, Max tries several methods to banish them, from holding her breath and drinking water upside down to standing on her head and somersaulting. All fail. Max’s grandmother offers sage advice: Be patient, and “they’ll tiptoe away on their own.” Max recalls that her grandmother’s always encouraging her to slow down (“To pause. To wait. To be”), so she can listen to the rustling trees and feel the sun’s warmth on her face. But impatient Max doesn’t have time for that right now. Suppose she has hiccups forever and sets a world record? Suppose, when she’s president, her hiccups are heard around the world? Max contemplates dire possibilities for a long time. While doing so, she waits—and hears the trees and feels the sun. “For the first time all day, she just is.” Before Max knows it, the hiccups are gone. Children may not realize it, but grown-ups sharing this humorous, thought-provoking tale will surely note that it’s also a gentle guide to mindfulness. Scott’s cheery digital illustrations are enlivened by numerous “hics!” incorporated throughout the artwork. Saucer-eyed Max has curly red hair; she, her grandmother, and her younger brother have light tan skin. Background characters are diverse.

No hiccups here: a charmer about helping a child handle a familiar problem realistically.