On the Shelf by Tara Michener: Little Cat Feels Left Out by Dori Durbin

Have you ever had a friend...find another friend...and then you wonder if you are still your friend's friend? Dori Durbin recognizes that many children encounter this scenario. Friendship can be viewed as one of the most special bonds that humans get to experience but the heart break of uncertainty when a child feels like that friendship is in jeopardy is a lot for a kid to bear. In Little Cat Feels Left Out this topic gives young people a mirror to see their own insecurities about losing a friend, measuring up, and figuring out how to resolve frustrations related to the dynamics of being friends. 

So many of us know what it is like to be the last one chosen to be on a team or to not be chosen at all, and this book gives a nice lesson on coping but also identifying with concepts like jealousy, insecurity, and more. I talked to Dori and she is dedicated to making sure that her books provide a way for kids to get reassured but also soothed by seeing examples that they may go through on a daily basis. Let's face it...kids are told to go and make friends but they are not always told how to make friends. They also are not always told how to keep a friend if something goes wrong. Dori Durbin writes books that help young people to understand social skills and the struggles that can come with playground squabbles and misunderstandings. I enjoyed reading this book with my son and talking through how friendships can shift when a friend finds another friend. I would suggest this as a classroom read, a bedtime story, and it has found a nice home on my own shelf. This is a very timely text for back to school and teacher gifts.  

Dori Durbin and Tara Michener
holding each other's books

Tara Michener is the author of six children's books that focus on self-esteem, diversity and anti-bullying. She is a TEDx speaker, therapist and owns her own private practice in Novi, MI. Tara has been recognized in publications such as Prevention Magazine, Essence Magazine, FREEP and more! She is the Committee Chair of E&I at SCBWI-MI. Her favorite days usually include spending time with her hubistrator, Jason, her son Cannon and her favorite snack Twizzlers and Diet Coke. You can follow her on Twitter @Taramichener.