Never, Not Ever

Reach for this book when your child is digging in their heels and flatly refusing to start school, perhaps even wishing they could shrink you down and keep you in their pocket. This quirky story follows Pascaline, a little bat who is so determined not to go to school that her parents actually shrink until they are the size of peanuts. She tucks them under her wing and heads to class, only to discover that bringing your parents to school is much noisier and more exhausting than she imagined. It is a brilliant choice for children ages 4 to 8 who are struggling with separation anxiety. By using absurdist humor and imaginative collage art, the book validates a child's desire for proximity while gently showing them that they are actually ready for independence. It turns a stressful transition into a laugh-out-loud moment of empowerment.