Shy Me

A shy young child talks about situations when shyness takes over and what helps them engage more fully.

In this compassionate exploration of shyness, a child describes feeling shy in a variety of home, social and school situations. These include meeting a new person, being in a crowded place and being on stage for a class performance. Sometimes the child feels shy with friends or when trying to make a new friend.  

When feeling shy, the child tries to be brave and identify what might help in each situation. Sometimes it helps to go slowly, find a quiet place or practice for a performance. And sometimes what helps is finding a buddy or noticing that other children feel shy too.

Sandra V. Feder’s nuanced text and Ashley Barron’s cut-paper collage illustrations together create an endearing character who finds a way to cope with shy feelings. Joining Angry Me and Peaceful Me in the Emotions and Me series, Shy Me is sure to strike a chord with anyone who has ever felt or still feels shy.

Key Text Features

explanation;illustrations

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4

Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

SANDRA V. FEDER is the author of the highly acclaimed books in the Emotions and Me series, including Angry Me and Peaceful Me, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell (Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year), and Shy Me and Lonely Me (the latter forthcoming in 2026), illustrated by Ashley Barron. Sandra’s other books include Bitter and Sweet, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker (a PJ Library selection), and The Moon Inside, illustrated by Aimée Sicuro. She lives in California.

ASHLEY BARRON’s vibrant cut-paper collage illustrations appear in many books, including This Is a Tiny Fragile Snake by Nicholas Ruddock, Chaiwala! by Priti Maheshwari (TD Grade One Book Giveaway), My City Speaks by Darren Lebeuf (Schneider Family Book Award), City Baby by Laurie Elmquist (a Bank Street Best Book of the Year) and Pretty Tricky by Etta Kaner (a Kirkus Best Picture Book and an Outstanding Science Trade Book). Ashley lives with her partner in Toronto, Ontario.