About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the social fallout of being a 'sore winner' or when bragging is starting to alienate their playmates. It addresses the natural preschool impulse to want to be the best at everything and the unintentional hurt that boasting can cause. Through Dog, a lovable but over-excited narrator, children see how his claims of being the fastest or biggest make his friends feel small and sad. The story gently shifts to show that every individual has a unique 'best' quality, fostering empathy and self-awareness. It is perfectly paced for 2 to 5-year-olds with its bright, bold illustrations and simple, repetitive text that models how to apologize and celebrate others.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is entirely secular and metaphorical. It deals with the concept of ego and social rejection in a very gentle way. The resolution is hopeful and realistic: Dog doesn't lose his personality, but he gains perspective.
