Too Shy to Say Hi

May 1, 2021

PreS-Gr 1-This didactic attempt at bibliotherapy collapses under the weight of its awkward rhyming text and unclear goal. Shelli walks her dog daily, but unlike him, is too shy to interact with people. She decides to change and reaches out to a classmate. After being welcomed to sit, she suggests playing at recess, which works out well. Happy, and proud of her success, she acknowledges that "I know I have a ways to go/ but I'm peeking out of my shell." The forced rhyming text is a poor choice here.The scansion wavers throughout, weakening the story. Some vocabulary is a poor fit with Shelli's first-person narration. Nakata's illustrations, appearing to be watercolor, are appealing, with round-faced, simple characters, lots of movement, and effective use of color to depict mood. The initially blue backgrounds change to a warm yellow as Shelli reaches out. Shelli, who is white, has reddish, flyaway hair in pigtails and an expressive face which shows a variety of emotions. Her new friend has brown skin and curly brown pigtails. There is a mix of single and double-page full-bleed spreads and spot art, effectively creating motion and feeling. The book includes a two-page note for parents about shyness and social anxiety. VERDICT Despite its good intentions, this slightly muddled attempt to introduce shyness and social anxiety to preschoolers fails to merge its light rhyming text with the topic.-Amy Lilien-Harper, Wilton Lib., CT

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2021
A youngster takes timid steps toward making a friend. Shelli gets nervous around others. The thought of speaking up causes Shelli's insides to twist. Even a neighbor's wave from afar is a cause for concern: "What if I imagined it? / Should I tell her 'hi?' " Shelli's internal dialogue spins out of control. But one day, the shy tot has had enough. "I stare at myself in the mirror. / I wave and just say hi. / It feels a little silly, / but I know I want to try. // In the morning I decide: / Today will be the day! / I'm going to find the courage / to be friendly in small ways." Shelli begins with one simple--yet still so difficult--question: "Is anyone sitting here?" With great pluck (and confidence from practicing in front of the mirror), Shelli makes a new friend. Nakata's wispy, light brush strokes match the emotional impact of Shelli's uncertainty, shimmering and delicate across the page. Two pages of backmatter about social anxiety, along with coping tricks for children, are appended to aid caregivers of shy kids. Shelli presents White, and surrounding classmates are a happy mix; Shelli's newfound friend has dark skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-16-inch double-page spreads viewed at 56.3% of actual size.) Echoes the inner thoughts some anxious children may have, hopefully making them feel less alone. (Picture book. 4-7)

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