About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child is feeling overwhelmed by school expectations and is struggling to find their own unique talents. In this chapter book, the wonderfully quirky Clarice Bean is tasked with a school project about what makes people happy, which sends her into a classic worrier's spin. She observes her chaotic but loving family and her ever-sensible best friend, trying to crack the code to happiness while feeling like she has no special talents of her own. For ages 8-12, Lauren Child's signature humor and empathetic voice make this a perfect choice to help kids navigate the pressures of fitting in, normalize anxiety about performance, and celebrate the small, personal things that truly bring us joy.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book addresses common childhood anxieties, such as academic pressure, social comparison, and the fear of not being 'good enough.' The approach is gentle, humorous, and entirely secular. The resolution is hopeful and empowering, reinforcing that feelings of inadequacy are normal and that self-worth is intrinsic.
Ideal Reader
An introspective child aged 8 to 10 who sometimes feels overwhelmed by school pressures or lost in a bustling family. They are likely a worrier who compares themselves to peers and would connect with a character who processes the world through a creative, slightly anxious, and very funny internal monologue.
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