About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is spiraling into 'what-if' scenarios about starting school or a new activity. It is the perfect antidote for the child who feels like the only one in the world who is nervous, as it uses humor to externalize those big feelings onto a relatable, inanimate object. By focusing on the perspective of the building itself, the story provides a safe psychological distance for children to process their own anxieties. The story follows the newly constructed Frederick Douglass Elementary as it navigates its first day with students. The school worries about being liked, feels embarrassed by a messy lunchroom incident, and finds comfort in a quiet conversation with a shy student. It beautifully illustrates themes of empathy, mutual vulnerability, and the transition from fear to belonging. For ages 4 to 8, this book is a gentle, funny, and deeply reassuring choice that reminds children that everyone, even the walls around them, is learning how to be brave.
