Gloria's Big Problem

Gloria loves to sing, dance, and act in her bedroom, but not in public. No way. Gloria’s big problem makes sure of that, following her wherever she goes and constantly reminding her that she’s anxious and frightened, that she’s not good enough, and that everyone will laugh at her. Anxious Gloria worries all the time, about everything. Until, one day, Gloria summons all her courage to try out for a community theater production. She marches herself to the audition, and her big problem marches right in behind her. She gets up on stage, and her big problem takes a seat in the front row and starts to laugh at her. And then at last she yells “STOP!”, and her big problem shrinks to a little problem, and Gloria wins a part in the play.

Sarah Stiles Bright teaches college English and writes from Portland, Maine. Her deep appreciation for place, wildness, and the restorative power of the land and sea―along with her love of playful teaching―underlies much of her current writing, including essays and a children’s story based on Passamaquoddy legend. She lives with her Bernese mountain dog and has two grown children who are resoundingly present in Gloria.

Mike Deas (Salt Spring Island, British Columbia) worked as a concept artist, texture artist, and art lead in the video game industry in England and California before returning to his native Canada. He is the illustrator of The Buddy Bench, Gloria’s Big Problem, and Calvin Gets the Last Word.