32 p., Knopf, 2004. When you're shy, sometimes your way of coping with it is also a way to make connections with other people. Halibut Jackson is shy, and so determined not to be noticed that he has clothes for every occasion that help him to blend into the background - literally. For example, for the library, he has a suit that looks like books. When Halibut is invited to the queen's birthday party, he's faced with a dilemma. He wants to see the silver, gold, and jewel-covered palace for himself. But because he's shy, he doesn't like parties. Halibut dreams up a solution: he makes himself a silver, gold, and jewel-covered suit for the party. He reasons that if he wears this, he won't be noticed at the party. To his surprise, it turns out to be a garden party. Everyone notices him, and everyone wants a beautiful suit like his. He makes suits for everyone, and opens a shop that sells all kinds of clothes. His shyness seems not to matter so much any more. Whimsically illustrated in a style that recalls Maurice Sendak, this story is especially wonderful because it doesn't tell kids to stop being shy, but instead, encourages them to be exactly who they are. Ages 4-8
Showing posts with label shyness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shyness. Show all posts
Henry's Show and Tell by Nancy Carlson
32 p., Viking, 2004.
Shyness can make some parts of life really difficult. Little mouse Henry loves everything about kindergarten except for Show and Tell. He feels too scared and shaky to speak in front of his class. His sympathetic teacher suggests that he bring something that he enjoys talking about and practice his presentation in front of a mirror. Henry takes her advice and brings his pet lizard, Wallace. But just as he's about to talk, Wallace escapes. By the time he catches Wallace, Henry forgets to be shy, and easily tells his class all about lizards. When it's time for Show and Tell again, Henry is silent. He explains that he has nothing to talk about because his pet spider has escaped. As his teacher calls recess, the story ends. With its bright, child-friendly illustrations, this empathic story shows children that they're not alone in their shyness, and that it's possible to overcome it even when - and possible because of - unexpected events.
Ages 4-7
Shyness can make some parts of life really difficult. Little mouse Henry loves everything about kindergarten except for Show and Tell. He feels too scared and shaky to speak in front of his class. His sympathetic teacher suggests that he bring something that he enjoys talking about and practice his presentation in front of a mirror. Henry takes her advice and brings his pet lizard, Wallace. But just as he's about to talk, Wallace escapes. By the time he catches Wallace, Henry forgets to be shy, and easily tells his class all about lizards. When it's time for Show and Tell again, Henry is silent. He explains that he has nothing to talk about because his pet spider has escaped. As his teacher calls recess, the story ends. With its bright, child-friendly illustrations, this empathic story shows children that they're not alone in their shyness, and that it's possible to overcome it even when - and possible because of - unexpected events.
Ages 4-7