Widget succeeds through the slapstick comedy of a dog attempting to mimic feline behavior to fit in with a group of cats. The story builds tension through his secret identity and rewards readers when he finally uses his natural bark to save his friends. Books in this family share themes of social mimicry and characters who discover that their differences are actually strengths.
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.
