New York Public Library's Children's Books: 100 Books for Reading and
Sharing
Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices
ILA CBC Children's Choices List
A quiet boy with anxiety learns to shine in this award-winning picture
book that celebrates introversion
Alfie wants to participate in the best parts of being a kid, from his
friend Antoinette's birthday party to the relay races at school. But his
shyness keeps him from engaging. When Alfie wakes up with That Feeling
on the morning of yet another big event--the underwater costume
parade--his mom takes him to the aquarium.
There, Alfie meets a starfish who shines so boldly Alfie feels small.
But suddenly, a tiny clownfish swims up to Alfie for a quick hello and
retreats again. Alfie begins to understand that there's a happy medium
between hiding away and being the star, and that he needs to come out of
hiding every once and awhile to make meaningful connections.