Tell me about your Invisible String.
Who is connected to your Invisible String?
What can you do to remind yourself of this connection?
The author came up with the idea of "the invisible string" when her son started preschool in order to alleviate separation anxiety (for both mother and child). The story reminds readers that we are never alone — we are always connected to the ones we love by an invisible string, even when we are not with them. The gentle story provides comfort to children who have lost a loved one or are afraid to be away from their parents after a scary event.
Recommended age: 3 and up
What do you think happened to Sherman?
How do you think Sherman feels?
What would you do to help Sherman?
Who can you talk to about your feelings?
Sherman Smith is a young raccoon who saw something awful happen. He tries to forget about it, but over time it bothers him and makes his tummy feel sick. So Sherman starts to meet at school with sweet Ms. Maple, and he learns to talk about his feelings with her, which helps him feel better. The story never goes into specifics about what "terrible thing" Sherman saw, which makes it helpful for discussing everything from natural disasters to school violence to child abuse — whether experienced personally or heard about on the news or through the grapevine.
Recommended age: 4 and up
What are some things you are afraid of?
How did Scaredy Squirrel conquer his fear?
How can you conquer your fears?
What would you put in your own emergency kit?
Children right now can be feeling like their world is unsafe. They might feel scared at times, of things big and small. Scaredy Squirrel sure can relate. His general sense of nervousness makes him want to stay in his tree and never leave. What if there are spiders or martians or killer bees waiting for him? One day, he leaps into the unknown, and finds that there are many more good surprises than bad ones awaiting him in life.
Recommended age: 4 and up