Watch Me Throw the Ball!

Reach for this book when your child is hesitant to try a new sport because they are worried about getting the rules wrong or lacking natural talent. It is a perfect choice for the perfectionist child who needs to see that joy is more important than technique. In this story, Piggie is bursting with excitement to throw a ball, while Gerald the Elephant takes the role of the serious expert, worrying about the technical aspects of the game. Through their hilarious exchange, children see that having fun and being 'good' at something are not always the same thing. Mo Willems uses minimalist illustrations and expressive speech bubbles to make the story accessible for early readers. It is an ideal tool for normalizing the messy, unpolished beginnings of any new hobby while celebrating a supportive, if slightly exasperated, friendship.