About this book

From #1 New York Times bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds and talented debut author Marc Colagiovanni comes an inspirational story about optimism, overcoming adversity, and forging your own path.

“One day for no particular reason, nothing was going right. Absolutely positively, nothing was going right. So, I decided to go left . . .”

Told through creative language play, and with depth and whimsy, this picture book reminds readers of their own agency and the power they have to direct their own path. Marc Colagiovanni’s lyrical text and Peter H. Reynolds’s stunning art create an enduring message of strength and perseverance that is both universal and personal, and one that readers will be drawn to over and over again.

This first of two new picture books created in collaboration with Marc and Peter will inspire, affirm, and reassure readers at key milestone moments in every young reader’s life. When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left makes an inspiring graduation gift as well as a must-have, uplifting read sure to bring positivity to all who read it and remind us that even when nothing is going right . . . we can always choose to go left.

Reviews

Praise for When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left:

"Resilience and optimism win the day -- and the long game -- in an encouraging fable about finding one’s way." -- Publishers Weekly

Praise for Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds:

An Amazon Best Children's Book of 2021

* "In Reynolds’ established tradition, this story is simple and full of heart, celebrating the wonder and possibility of being human and being in relationship... Sweet and timely for today’s families." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Reynolds tells the story simply and illustrates it expressively… A reminder of what really matters.” -- Booklist, starred review

Praise for Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds:

"What is remarkable about the book is that even though the instructions and the brief sentences explaining them are at times vague, the illustrations expand on them in ways readers will find endearing and uplifting... Both beautiful and inspiring as graduation gift or guide to life." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Say Something! by Peter H. Reynolds:

"A motivational must-have for every collection." -- School Library Journal

"This book's encouragement to kids to find their voices can also be used to start a conversation about how they can make a difference in their world." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds:

"Peter H. Reynolds always manages to walk a delicate line with his books -- make that a couple lines: weighty but not weighed down. Universal yet kid-centric. No easy feat." -- Travis Jonker, School Library Journal

"Capture[s] the beauty of words and the wonder of sharing them with others... enchanting." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Packs a powerful punch... capture[s] both the joy of learning and the power of kindness." -- School Library Journal

Praise for Happy Dreamer by Peter H. Reynolds:

"The message of acceptance and patience comes through clearly, and the exhortation to 'carve your own path' and 'show the world who you are' will be appreciated by anyone who has ever felt misunderstood." -- Booklist

"Celebrates individuality, self-expression, and the joys of being a dreamer... a liberating validation of dreaming as restorative, comforting, and powerful, while giving kids full license to be themselves." -- Publishers Weekly

"A sweet gift to praise spirited individuality, this choice encourages readers to dream big. Let those sparkles fly!" -- Kirkus Reviews