The Big Slide

by Daniel Kirk (Author) Daniel Kirk (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

In this sweet story about facing fears, Little Pup has to call up all his courage--and the help of a friend--to go down the playground slide.

Little Pup isn't as little as he used to be, and he'd love to try out the playground's big slide. Day after day he eyes it, but he just can't seem to work up the courage. Fortunately he meets someone in the same boat--Little Duck--and the two provide each other with just the bravery boost needed to climb that ladder and enjoy the slide! Kids will relate to Little Pup's struggle to gain enough confidence to move out of his comfort zone and try something new.

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Hardcover
$17.99

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Kirkus Reviews

[Little Pup's] joy and pride [are] infectious. Kirk's many animal characters are highly expressive in both facial expression and body language, especially Little Pup's eyebrows, and Little Duck is a model of empathy for young readers. . . . Little readers will find a ready role model here for tackling their own fears.

ALA/Booklist

The illustrations give Little Pup's crisis oomph by contrasting the muted colors of the background with the deeply saturated red slide. A charming story that shows how tiny steps of repeated exposure, visualization, modeling, and practice can help kids overcome their fears. 

Review quotes

The shifting viewpoints and angled composition, along with straightforward text, convey the realistic disorientation of grappling with a fear that others have seemed to easily overcome. Kirk's simple color palette, composition, and seasonal-styled backgrounds illustrate the time it takes little Little Pup to reach his goal, focusing on his kid-relatable emotional journey and the gentle encouragement from friends and family. . . . This empowering picture book teaches little ones that it's okay to seek support and to take on challenges at their own pace. —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Daniel Kirk
Daniel Kirk is the bestselling author and illustrator of the beloved Library Mouse series and Newton and Curie: The Science Squirrels as well as a number of other picture books and novels for young readers. He lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780399169380
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Nancy Paulsen Books
Publication date
July 20, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Dogs
Picture books
Courage
Ducks

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