Subtitle: A Children’s Book for Grown Ups
Author: Dan Schuck
Publisher: Archway Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4808-6739-9
Genre: Self-Help, Philosophy
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Hollywood Book Review
Are you an optimist or pessimist? …or a little of both? In author Dan Schuck’s ingenious book titled, A Glass Half Empty? …or Half Full?, you can page through it as if it were an illustrated children’s book, yet realizing it was written for and pertains to all of us; from ages 8 through 80. In a perfect-bound illustrated and colorful hard-copy, this book has the look and feel of a children’s book, yet its messaging is for grown-ups; you, me, all of us; as the appeal is universal. Furthermore, I believe this is one book which would be ideal to have translated into many languages, for a world-wide reading audience.
We have all used the expression of the glass being half empty or half full as a measure of a person’s view of the world – negative, positive, happy or sad; the glass with a varying water level is the constant. Dan Schuck takes this to a higher actualization of philosophy with the use of many adjectives, all portrayed in various fonts and sizes, along with modifications of the illustrations of a cartoon goldfish in the glass – which actually represents “you,” the reader. As one pages through these insightful fun-filled illustrations, one cannot escape the good sense being conveyed, simultaneously logical and softly humorous, drilling good sense into the readers’ minds.
Without being a spoiler, the best page I thought was when the picture of the goldfish was in a half-filled glass of water, and the “air” above the water level was given a definition. Can you guess what it’s called? Opportunity. Yes, you need just the right amount of opportunity to stay mentally healthy. Thinking too much about opportunity and not living in the present will fill in more air, lowering the water to a point where the fish can’t breathe. On the contrary, not enough opportunity will have the glass overflowing with water, again causing a life-threatening condition. To grasp fully these concepts, the best way is to be sure to get a copy of this book! That alone, is worth the price of admission, as they say.
Dan Schuck is the Dr. Phil of Dr. Seuss, combining both education with entertainment. Tackling such a basic psychological balance with the analogy of the glass of water, with the goldfish in it, is absolutely brilliant. As for the presentation, the genre of an illustrated children’s book for the grown-up market is ingenious, as well as quite humorous. All of the elements stated above converge perfectly into the balance of a book which will enhance the lives of – everyone! From school libraries, to waiting rooms in shrink offices, to gifts for loved ones, A Glass Half Empty? …or Half Full? is an ideal stocking-stuffer, birthday present or just what the doctor ordered for yourself to enjoy and share. After all, even if you poured out all of the water, an optimist would say there still is a moist residue on the inside of the glass, not all hope is lost…but since the goldfish wouldn’t be able to live, each and every one of us need to keep the water level just right.