When No one is Watching
Written by: Eileen Spinelli
Illustrated by: David A Johnson
Published by: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Imprint of Eerdmans Publishing Co 2013
Ages: 4 – 6 years
Theme: Shyness, friendship
Opening Lines: When no one is watching, I dance. I leap and I spin and I prance round the room. I twirl with my pillow and whirl with the broom. When no one is watching, I dance. But…
Synopsis: From Amazon – When no one is watching, it’s easy to be brave — to dance and sing, growl and cheer. But when everyone’s watching, this book’s shy young narrator finds it far easier to hide. With her best friend, Loretta, though, she doesn’t feel shy, embarrassed, awkward, or odd — not one bit. Together they’re like two peas in a pod, whether anyone’s watching or not.
Why I like it: I loved this book the minute I picked it up. I suppose it’s because told in first person this shy character is sharing her thoughts and private moments with me. Anyone, like myself, who knows what it’s like to be shy will understand her need to hide away when people are around. Alone we are treated to her real abilities to shine. We are introduced towards the end to her equally shy friend whom she shares her active and quiet times with, and it is great to see her not feeling so shy around someone she obviously trusts. This book shows how it is okay to be shy and that with time and in the right place, one learns to shine. The illustrations are warm, earthy and colourful, attracting the eye with lovely rhyming text.
Edit: Eek! I forgot to add:
Resources/Findings: Here is the book trailer… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cBRYeMP4j4
This was also an interesting program to come across should your child be suffering from fear or anxiety causing the shyness. http://www.turnaroundanxiety.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwnZShBRDfxqzr55rcyMEBEiQA1iRNP0uedXsNI7VNetMR0zQh3D85kZbX6bwLwukVSxdYa3AaAjCz8P8HAQ
A fun exercise I thought kids could do in the classroom is to write down ten things they would do when no one is watching and have them explain why they would do these things.
I’m so pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view. So pop over and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors.
I’m also off to enjoy some Birthday time with family this weekend, since it’s Saturday already. Have a great weekend everyone!
Writer and Dreamer at work 
This sounds like a book I would’ve loved as a kid. I’ll check it out. Thanks.
Thanks Joanne, I think a lot of us can see ourselves in this character, and wish the book had been around years earlier.
There are many, many kids who will relate to this sweet story!
True, Joanna. Thanks for commenting.
What a beautiful story. So many kids will relate to this wonderful and imaginative little girl. I love her personality. What a great choice today!
Thanks you Patricia. So glad you liked it. Certainly many kids will relate.
Great choice. Kids will love this book and relate to it (as will some adults!) Enjoy your weekend with friends.
So true, Darlene. Thanks for being here.
What a lovely little book!
Thank you, rhythm.
I would have loved to read this book as a child. And I adore Eileen Spinelli’s books but hadn’t read this one (she is so prolific!). Thanks for highlighting it.
Thank you, Wendy. I have read a few of her books too.
This is a book I would have loved as a kid, and one I wish had been around for my youngest, who was very shy (but is thankfully overcoming that as she grows up :)) Thanks so much for sharing it, Diane – it will be a great one to have on our list!
Thank you so much, Susanna. It will be a great choice for kids, glad you liked the choice.
I haven’t read this one yet. I watched the trailer and love your idea for resources. A good exercise for children and adults alike.
Thank you so much Stacy for your kind comments.
I love this book! Mrs. Spinelli is one of my favorite writers! 🙂
She is a great writer, Erick. One we can learn a great deal from. Thanks for being here.
So happy to read about this one, Diane. I have a manuscript I’m working on and I think this could be a perfect mentor text! Yay! I put it on hold at my library 🙂
Cool! Glad you liked the choice and I am now very curious with your story. Hopefully I get to read it one day soon (in hardback :))
It was a good one to read with my manuscript in mind! Yes…I hope it’s in hardback, too, some day 🙂