Books Like Good Boy
Families who loved Good Boy by Andy Hirsch often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Good Boy by Andy Hirsch often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child's anxiety has started to manifest in physical ways, such as stomachaches, nausea, or a fear of being in the spotlight. It is an ideal choice for kids who struggle with perfectionism or who feel like their big emotions are a hurdle they cannot clear. The story follows Charlie, a boy whose anxiety causes him to physically vomit, and his chaotic rescue dog Ralph. As the pair enters the world of dog agility training, the book beautifully illustrates how a support system, even a four-legged one, can provide the grounding needed to face stressful situations. It normalizes the physical experience of anxiety with humor and empathy, making it approachable for readers aged 8 to 12. Parents will appreciate how it reframes 'success' not as winning a trophy, but as the courage to simply show up and try.
