The Shy 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.