About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing their first performance, recital, or big event and is oscillating between excitement and pure panic. It is a perfect choice for the creative child who loves to be the center of attention but struggles when things do not go exactly according to plan. This early chapter book follows the endearingly dramatic Sock Monkey as he prepares for a dancing debut that quickly devolves into a series of hilarious mishaps. Cece Bell uses humor and physical comedy to explore themes of embarrassment and resilience for the 6 to 9 age group. By seeing a character survive a public 'disaster' with his dignity (mostly) intact, children learn that mistakes are not the end of the world. It is an excellent tool for normalizing performance anxiety and modeling how to pivot when life throws a curveball.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with social anxiety and the fear of public humiliation. The approach is secular and metaphorical, using the absurdity of a toy's life to ground very real human emotions. The resolution is hopeful and empowering, focusing on self-acceptance rather than perfection.
