
The Shy Book
by Howard Pearlstein, illustrated by James Munro
Interest age: 5 to 7
Reading age: 7+
Published by Graffeg, 2024
About this book
One thing I should warn you about this book is that it is shy. So shy, in fact, that it doesn’t want you to read it. It will hide itself when you turn the page and ask you to leave it alone. You see, this book doesn’t feel confident when meeting new people. But it has a plan within its pages to help it make friends. You see, this book can also ask you questions about yourself. By doing so, it becomes more and more comfortable until it finally feels…happy!
Pearlstein and Munro’s innovative title plays with the standard picture book format by directly addressing the reader. The ‘book’ is a very likeable character and Munro’s clever illustrations add a sense of joy as readers search for it on each page or laugh at its silly disguises.
As with many other self-referential books, this works best when read aloud to a child so that they can participate in the questioning and call and response features, and so the adult reader can embody the ‘character’ of the book.
Not only is this book funny, interactive and creative, but it also teaches children genuine social skills for those who may find it hard to make friends. This would be an ideal class read for a PSHE lesson or circle time to talk about themes of self-confidence or friendship.
More books like this
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Press Here
by Hervé Tullet
2 to 9 years
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The Book with No Pictures
by B J Novak
2 to 6 years
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Boss of the Underworld: Shirley vs the Green Menace
by Tor Freeman
6 to 9 years
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The Bear-shaped Hole
by John Dougherty, illustrated by Thomas Docherty
6 to 9 years
Lists of recommended reads
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Books we love in October 2024
The books we love this month, carefully selected for you