About This Book
Reach for this book when your child seems unusually withdrawn, irritable, or 'grumpy' during times of celebration and you suspect there is an underlying worry they cannot quite articulate. While the rest of Room 3B is buzzing with the excitement of learning about various winter holidays, Harry is notably out of sorts, even ignoring his favorite things like the class pet and his best friend, Doug. This gentle chapter book explores the reality that the holidays are not always a happy time for everyone. It validates feelings of anxiety and sadness through Harry's relatable struggles, eventually revealing that his behavior stems from a deep concern for a loved one. It is an excellent choice for elementary-aged readers to help them build empathy for peers who might be having a hard time and to normalize the idea that it is okay not to feel festive all the time.
