About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling intimidated by older kids or overwhelmed by scary stories they have heard on the playground. It is a perfect tool for de-escalating the 'legend' of a big sibling or a bully by showing how rumors grow out of control. The story follows a mouse who warns other animals that Big Bro is coming, and as the message travels, the description of Big Bro becomes more and more monstrous. This slapstick tale is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning to distinguish between their big fears and reality. It uses humor and repetition to normalize feelings of apprehension while delivering a punchline that instantly dissolves tension. Parents will appreciate how it opens a gentle conversation about how things are not always as scary as they seem once we actually meet them.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with fear and intimidation through a metaphorical lens. There are no real threats, and the resolution is entirely hopeful and humorous, defusing any anxiety built during the rising action.
