Scaredy-Cat Catcher

Reach for this book when your child is facing a crisis of confidence after a setback, particularly if they have developed a fear of physical injury or failure in sports. It is an ideal resource for the young athlete who was once enthusiastic but now hesitates or wants to quit because they are 'scared of the ball.' The story follows a young baseball player struggling to regain his courage as a catcher after a painful incident, highlighting the psychological hurdles of performance anxiety. At its heart, this is a story about the messy process of resilience. It moves beyond the 'just try harder' trope to show how supportive friendships and small, consistent steps can rebuild a shattered ego. Written for the 7 to 10 age group, it uses the familiar setting of youth sports to normalize the feeling of fear and the shame that often accompanies it. Parents will appreciate the realistic portrayal of a child's internal struggle and the healthy, low-pressure support system modeled by the protagonist's peers.