How Smoolie Became a Shy-entist
By Steve Barancik

Ages 3+

Children's book review by P.J. Rooks
(P.J. blogs at Tell It Again Tales.)

One delightfully-named little gal called Smoolie is having some difficulty making new friends. She wants to play with kids on the playground but is feeling apprehensive about how to break the ice.

She wants to play with kids on the playground but is feeling apprehensive about how to break the ice. Lucky for Smoolie, her mom is a very sharp lady.

Giving her an observation notebook, Smoolie's mom guides her on many scientific observations of others and how they cope with social situations.

At the end of the experiments, Smoolie has not only advanced her own emotional intelligence considerably by realizing that others can be shy too, but has picked up several useful tactics for handling uncomfortable situations.

Frankly, I didn't know what to expect from How Smoolie Became a Shy-entist, it was our first foray into bibliotherapy, but I was really quite impressed. Providing gentle guidance as much for parents as for kids, Smoolie and her mom lay out a logical step-by-step approach that just about anybody can do. What this book does not do -- preach! Hooray!

How Smoolie Became a Shy-entist is intended to be illustrated by your child. This is a fantastic idea, even for very little kids. My own daughter, who is three now, enjoyed the story quite a bit and gleefully decorated each page with horizontal purple lines. That she was too small to really draw in the pictures didn't seem to detract from the story for her, she asked for it over and over.

Older kids, however, who are able to draw in the pictures, will probably benefit from the story even more.

How Smoolie Became a Shy-entist is truly an E.Q. builder. We are looking forward to reading Steve's other books as well.

Webmaster's note: Thanks so much, P.J., for reviewing my book!

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