Messenger, Messenger

A parent might reach for this book when their child is about to take a small but significant step towards independence, like walking to a friend's house alone or starting a new school. It beautifully captures the mix of pride and nervousness that accompanies a child's first solo mission. The story follows a young boy named Mateo who is asked to deliver a letter to his grandmother across the park. What is usually a familiar walk becomes a grand adventure filled with new sights, sounds, and a flicker of fear. This book is a gentle and poetic celebration of growing competence, self-confidence, and bravery. It validates a child's big feelings about a seemingly small task, making it an excellent tool for encouraging confidence and normalizing the anxieties of growing up for children ages 3 to 7.