Too Shy to Say Hi

by Shannon Anderson, Hiroe Nakata (Illustrator)

Overview

Making friends can be tough, but this rhyming picture book will help navigate difficulties of shyness and social anxiety.

Shelli used to be pretty content in her little world, thinking that her pet friends with feathers, fins, and fur were enough. Her bird would keep her company at home, her fish would hideaway in his cave, and her dog was the social butterfly of the neighborhood. But now, Shelli is determined to try to make friends with kids at school. Readers will relate as Shelli takes brave steps toward breaking out of her shell.

Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers by Elizabeth McCallum, PhD, with more information about shyness and social anxiety.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433831584
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
Publication date:	03/09/2021
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	506,785
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	AD500L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Shannon Anderson has taught first grade through college level and loves to write books for children and teachers. She was named one of the Top 10 Teachers who inspired The Today Show and was chosen as the JC Runyon Person of the Year for her work writing and speaking about social and emotional issues for kids. She lives in Indiana. Visit shannonisteaching.com, on Facebook @authorShannonAnderson, on Twitter @Shannonteaches.

Hiroe Naka graduated from the Parsons School of Design. Illustrations from her first children's book were chosen for the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition. She lives in Tokyo, Japan.

Editorial Reviews

05/01/2021

PreS-Gr 1—This didactic attempt at bibliotherapy collapses under the weight of its awkward rhyming text and unclear goal. Shelli walks her dog daily, but unlike him, is too shy to interact with people. She decides to change and reaches out to a classmate. After being welcomed to sit, she suggests playing at recess, which works out well. Happy, and proud of her success, she acknowledges that "I know I have a ways to go/ but I'm peeking out of my shell." The forced rhyming text is a poor choice here.The scansion wavers throughout, weakening the story. Some vocabulary is a poor fit with Shelli's first-person narration. Nakata's illustrations, appearing to be watercolor, are appealing, with round-faced, simple characters, lots of movement, and effective use of color to depict mood. The initially blue backgrounds change to a warm yellow as Shelli reaches out. Shelli, who is white, has reddish, flyaway hair in pigtails and an expressive face which shows a variety of emotions. Her new friend has brown skin and curly brown pigtails. There is a mix of single and double-page full-bleed spreads and spot art, effectively creating motion and feeling. The book includes a two-page note for parents about shyness and social anxiety. VERDICT Despite its good intentions, this slightly muddled attempt to introduce shyness and social anxiety to preschoolers fails to merge its light rhyming text with the topic.—Amy Lilien-Harper, Wilton Lib., CT

School Library Journal

2021-01-27
A youngster takes timid steps toward making a friend.

Shelli gets nervous around others. The thought of speaking up causes Shelli’s insides to twist. Even a neighbor’s wave from afar is a cause for concern: “What if I imagined it? / Should I tell her ‘hi?’ ” Shelli’s internal dialogue spins out of control. But one day, the shy tot has had enough. “I stare at myself in the mirror. / I wave and just say hi. / It feels a little silly, / but I know I want to try. // In the morning I decide: / Today will be the day! / I’m going to find the courage / to be friendly in small ways.” Shelli begins with one simple—yet still so difficult—question: “Is anyone sitting here?” With great pluck (and confidence from practicing in front of the mirror), Shelli makes a new friend. Nakata’s wispy, light brush strokes match the emotional impact of Shelli’s uncertainty, shimmering and delicate across the page. Two pages of backmatter about social anxiety, along with coping tricks for children, are appended to aid caregivers of shy kids. Shelli presents White, and surrounding classmates are a happy mix; Shelli’s newfound friend has dark skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-16-inch double-page spreads viewed at 56.3% of actual size.)

Echoes the inner thoughts some anxious children may have, hopefully making them feel less alone. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews