Too Shy for Show and Tell

Welcome to the new blog "Ready to Read" - the place to find out all the things you need to know to help get 0-5 year-olds ready to read. Stop by regularly for information on library programs, book recommendations, and tips that can help your child prepare for kindergarten success.

Sam doesn't talk much. He likes trucks and dogs but none of the kids in his class know that. The thought of show-and-tell at school sends Sam into a panic fueled tummy ache. What if he says something dumb? What if he says the wrong words? What if he cries, or worse, throws up?!!

Other kids take turns before Sam. None of them cry or throw up. No one laughs at them either, so Sam works up the courage to try show-and-tell himself. The illustration of Sam's friends sitting on the rug eagerly waiting to hear what he has to say is priceless. Mostly, friends just want to be your friends. No one is waiting for Sam to mess up - they want to know what his cool show-and-tell thing is!

Next time, show-and-tell is easier for Sam because that's how shy works...practice helps make handling it better. I should know. I routinely threw up in the morning in elementary school - fearful the first few weeks; and later if I was expected to speak in front of the class for some reason. Show-and-tell? No, thank-you! That lasted until about fifth grade. I guess that was finally enough practice!  Author: Beth Bracken

• Google Preview: Too Shy for Show and Tell
• Jennifer Bell Official Website

If you have a shy child here are some websites that might give you ideas to help your child practice. Practice really does help.

• KidsHealth: Shyness
• KidsHealth: How Can I Help My Child Overcome Shyness?
• American Academy of Pediatrics HealthChildren.org: Shyness in Children
• Livstrong.com: Games for Shy Kids
• eHow: Games for Shy Kids

Here are some more books like Sam's; stories about other kids who are also shy. Knowing a friend understands, even an imaginary book friend, helps too!

	Disappearing Desmond - Desmond is so skilled at disappearing that sometimes even his teacher cannot find him but when he meets Gloria, a new student at school, his attitude slowly changes.
	Shrinking Violet - Violet, who is very shy and hates for anyone to look at her in school, finally comes out of her shell when she is cast in a play about the solar system and saves the production from disaster.
	Louder Lili - Lili is so shy that her voice is never heard in class until the day a good friend needs her help.
	The Boys - A shy boy, seeking the courage to play baseball with the other children in a park, is coaxed out of his shell by some "old timers" sitting nearby who, in turn, discover they are still in the game.