Tori Comes Out of Her Shell: When You Are Lonely (Good News For Little Hearts Series)

My five year old daughter is really loving these Good News for Little Hearts books. She asks for them all the time. They are on the longer side, but the detailed illustrations and relatively simple text are able to engage pre-schoolers (they're a bit long for my three year old son as a comparison). Tori Comes out of her Shell is particularly good for those who struggle with shyness and anxiety. Highly recommend.

Our older kids between 4-7 love listening to this story being read. It describes a turtle who is shy, afraid of being made fun of, and as a result withdraws and is lonely. She learns a valuable truth throughout the story, that in Jesus, we have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. This is a truth that encourages her to share with another, and together form a friendship and her family come along with them to church gathering the following Sunday. Contains bible verses at the back that kids can cut out and put in their pocket as reminders.

As part of the CCEF's biblical counselling series for kids books - which tackle everyday issues and encourage parent-child interactions - this book focuses on the common issue of loneliness; it teaches children, through animal families, that we can find friendships and safety by stepping out and looking for those who may also be uneasy and scared; when we take our eyes off self and listen not to the little voice within, there we will find joy.