Books Like Safe at First
Families who loved Safe at First by Dean Hughes 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 Safe at First by Dean Hughes 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 is paralyzed by the fear of making a mistake in front of their peers or feels like one bad performance defines their worth. It is an ideal choice for the young athlete who loves their sport but is currently struggling with the 'yips' or performance anxiety that has drained the fun out of the game. The story follows Gene, a talented ballplayer who loses his confidence after a series of errors and must learn that his identity is not tied to a perfect stat sheet. Written for children in the 8-12 age range, this chapter book provides a safe, relatable space to discuss the heavy weight of expectations and the importance of resilience. It is a gentle but effective tool for normalizing the shame that often accompanies public failure, modeling how to bounce back with the support of friends and a shift in perspective.
