Ten Little Beasties

Reach for this book when a playdate takes a sudden turn from joyful dancing to a tearful standoff. It is the perfect tool for a toddler who is just beginning to navigate the complex social dynamics of group play, where excitement can quickly morph into impulse control issues. Through a cast of neon colored monsters, the story illustrates how one person's behavior can change the energy of the whole room. The book follows a group of beasties who gather to dance, counting up from one to ten as the party grows. However, when one beastie starts trouble, the counting reverses as the characters leave one by one. This dual purpose book teaches basic numeracy while modeling the natural consequences of acting out. It is ideal for ages 2 to 5, providing a gentle way to discuss how our actions affect our friends without being overly preachy.