About This Book
Reach for this book when you notice your child navigating the tricky social waters of exclusion or when they are struggling with the guilt of leaving someone out. This story follows two cousins, Annie and Molly, who are thrilled to have their own playhouse in the woods while visiting their grandmother. However, their desire to keep their space private leads them to exclude a lonely local girl, a decision that soon weighs heavily on their consciences. Through a gentle mystery involving a missing key, the girls must confront the consequences of their unkindness. It is an ideal choice for elementary-aged children as it models how to take accountability for social mistakes and the importance of empathy. Parents will appreciate how it handles the complex feeling of shame without being overly preachy, providing a natural bridge to discuss how our actions affect others.
