I wanted to share a new addition to our Christmas Gift Guide 25: Captain Courage And The Fear-Squishing Shoes written by Stacey Marshall and Illustrated by Andy Catling. I received a copy of the book in exchange for this review. Inside this post is my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the products, you purchase.
Charlie had fun looking at the cover of Captain Courage And The Fear-Squishing Shoes with the Superhero on the cover. Charlie liked the Superhero’s shoes with different colors on them and stars on the shoes.
The Superhero’s wearing a yellow shirt with a C and a red cape. Charlie said he needed a shirt like this because the C could stand for Charlie. I liked the lady in the pink dress with Strawberries and glasses. Look at the students and the Turtle.
The sign says welcome to Class! Charlie said but mom do we need to read a book. I reminded Charlie we should read for 30 minutes every day to keep learning and not sliding backwards even though Charlie has graduated.
I opened Captain Courage And The Fear-Squishing Shoes and found myself engrossed in the story. I didn’t want to put the book down. We learned all the children were excited to come to class except Katie which remined me of Charlie and David when he went to school.
The Principal even tried to make Katie feel comfortable. The kids would raise there hands to answer questions but Katie felt like her hands were stuck to her side. In music class Katie wanted to sing but again she couldn’t.
Katie sat by herself at lunch while the other kids chatted together. Katie wondered why her parents had to move her here. Carlos asked Katie to sit with him. Katie said no. At recess all the kids played together except Katie.
Sophie asked Katie to come swing but Katie said no. Then Show-and-Tell arrived. Mr. Magico the Principal came in dressed in a costume. Mr. Magico asked Katie if she wanted to show something and she said no, because everyone might boo here.
Mr. Magico let’s Katie know he is Captain Courageous and he has fear-squishing shoes. The Principal asked if he could say something. He wrote with his super Rocket pen “Stand Tall, Chip Up and Speak Strong”. Then he pushed a button and the pen flew to the ceiling.
Captain Courageous stomped on the ground and sat down by Katie. He stomped out his fears. Katie raised her hand to share because she was tired of being the scared new kid. Katie begin to play her harmonica.
The kids loved it. For the rest of the day Katie raised her hand in class. She talked to everyone at lunch and played at recess. Katie stops by the Principals office to thank him for helping her when she was shy and he tells her he had moved as a child and was shy as well.
I love how Captain Courage And The Fear-Squishing Shoes teaches us how to get over being shy and that being shy isn’t a bad thing. Not only are kids shy but adults as well as I know first hand. How about you. Are you shy?
Captain Courage And the Fear-Squishing Shoes was written for children in upper elementary school but both smaller children and adults will enjoy the story as well. I liked how the Author included “Captain Courage’s Top Tips for Speaking with Confidence and “How Grown-Ups Can Help Inspire Confidence in Kids Communication and the tips should be shared by parents and teachers.
About the book: Captain Courage and the Fear-Squishing Shoes
Every child (and grown-up) needs to read this delightful story about how to speak with confidence and courage in any situation!
“The perfect story to entertain readers and give them a boost of bravery.” -Karin Larson, Author of Alphabet Zoo
Every child in Ms. Berrycastle‛s class is excited for the first day of school-every child except Katie. As the newcomer in school, poor Katie feels like she‛s swallowed a bowlful of butterflies!
Whether it‛s participating in class, presenting at show-and-tell, or joining in lunchtime chats, Katie finds herself shrinking with fear. But everything changes when a remarkable superhero swoops in, equipped with his incredible, fear-squishing shoes!
Through captivating, fun-filled storytelling and whimsical illustrations, Captain Courage & the Fear-Squishing Shoes will enable kids to:
– Look and feel as brave as a superhero in school and beyond;
– Attain confident communication skills
– Take a transformative and heartwarming adventure with Katie, discovering how to conquer worries and self-doubt
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
