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Shy Girl

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Book Synopsis

From bestselling fiction author and renowned poet JJ Bola comes this enchanting picture book about finding your voice.

Shy Girl dreams of singing, but whenever anyone is listening, she can’t make a sound. At school, she watches from the sidelines, too afraid to join in. But when a talent competition is announced, Shy Girl has to choose: Can she overcome her fears and find her voice on stage?

Masterful, heartfelt, and an ideal conversation starter for parents wanting to discuss the importance of self-expression and confidence with their children. An unforgettable follow-up to Fly Boy.

Our Review Panel says...

There is a thoughtfulness and beauty to the story ‘Shy Girl’. The story revolves around a nameless ‘shy girl’, so it is easy to put yourself in her shoes. She loves to sing and also the sound of music; however, when others were looking at her, she would become nervous and was scared that she would be laughed at.

This is a truly lovely story about self-belief and confidence in oneself, after having self-doubt and worries about not being special like everyone else. The key message of everyone being special and unique is a strong theme throughout. The illustrations are amazing, and when the girl sings, the colours swirl and burst around her, often full of musical notes. There is not a lot of text on each page, so this story would be suitable for an early reader or for a child who enjoys a story with lots of pictures.

It is an excellent book to share with a class where most children can think of a time when they feel nervous to do something, but with courage and encouragement, they too can ‘find your voice and shine bright’. It is a book that could be used within class to support confidence-building and celebrating who you are.