Lena's Slippers

Reach for this book when your child is facing a small but world-ending setback right before a big event. Whether it is a lost uniform, a broken prop, or a missing piece of equipment, this story offers a calm and constructive way to handle the panic of a missing necessity. Lena is a young ballerina who discovers her white shoes are missing on the day of her recital, a moment that could easily lead to a meltdown. Instead, the book follows her journey through worry toward a resourceful solution. Ioana Hobai uses delicate, soft illustrations to mirror the quiet strength Lena finds within herself. It is a beautiful choice for children aged 4 to 8 who are beginning to navigate performance anxiety and the pressure of things going perfectly. Parents will appreciate how the story validates the child's distress while modeling grit and creative problem solving. It teaches that while we cannot always control the situation, we can control our response and still find joy in the spotlight.