Families who loved Widget by Lyn Rossiter McFarland 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 entering a new social environment and feels the pressure to act like everyone else just to be accepted. It is a perfect choice for the preschooler who is mimicking peers or the child who feels like a square peg in a round hole. The story follows Widget, a lonely stray dog who finds a home with a group of cats by learning to meow, purr, and use a litter box. It is a humorous but deeply resonant look at the lengths we go to for belonging. While the story is lighthearted and perfect for ages 3 to 7, it carries a powerful message about the value of our unique strengths. Parents will appreciate how it validates the need for connection while celebrating the moment when being ourselves actually saves the day.