Just Fine the Way They Are

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with a transition or insists that the old way of doing things is the only right way. While it is framed as a history of American transportation, it is actually a masterful study in the human tendency to resist change. By looking at how people once feared the very inventions we now take for granted, like steam engines and cars, the book helps children realize that 'new' doesn't have to mean 'bad.' Appropriate for elementary-aged children, this story uses humor and historical facts to validate the anxiety of change while gently nudging the reader toward curiosity. It is an excellent tool for building cognitive flexibility, showing that progress often requires leaving a bit of comfort behind to find something even better.