Field Day from the Black Lagoon

Reach for this book when your child is facing an upcoming school event with a mix of dread and overactive imagination. Whether it is Field Day, a concert, or a new club, children often invent terrifying 'worst-case scenarios' that make small challenges feel like life or death. This story provides a humorous outlet for those anxieties by leaning into the absurdity of a child's fears. Hubie is convinced that Field Day will be a series of impossible, monster-themed trials led by a drill-sergeant coach. Through Mike Thaler's signature blend of puns and hyperbole, the book validates a child's nervousness while gently leading them toward the realization that the actual event is never as scary as the version in their head. It is an ideal bridge for early readers (ages 6 to 9) who are transitioning into chapter books and need a relatable, funny protagonist to mirror their own school-life jitters.