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Shrinking Violet
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26An inspiring modern fairy tale about a brave girl who shrinks and grows depending on how she feels, showing how all of us—no matter our size—are so much bigger than our fears. From Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning author Laurel Snyder and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator LeUyen Pham.
Violet knows what it’s like to be when you’re afraid, you feel helpless and small. But when Violet is afraid, she doesn’t just feel small—she actually shrinks! It’s tough to stop feeling frightened when you’re only a few centimeters tall. But when Violet’s best friend is in danger, she’ll have to learn to deal with her fear in a new way—and save the day in the process.
Shrinking Violet is a beautifully illustrated story about fear and bravery for anyone who has ever felt scared and small. Readers will root for Violet as she finds her voice, stands up for her friend, and, most importantly, discovers the tremendous power of her own inner strength.
BIG Feeling small and afraid is a universally relatable experience. The shrinking metaphor at the core of Violet’s story will resonate deeply with young readers and demonstrate that being (or feeling!) small isn’t a weakness—it’s normal and completely okay.
EMPOWERING Violet is a strong female character who solves her own problems by learning to control and ultimately accept her feelings. Her story will feel familiar and wonderfully relatable to kids, and Violet is a positive role model in whom all young readers (especially girls!) can see themselves represented.
ALL-STAR Author Laurel Snyder, Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner, and illustrator LeUyen Pham, Caldecott Honoree, are children’s literature superstars with many bestsellers to their names. They're also real-life friends! This is the first project they've collaborated on, and they've combined their all-star talent to make a truly special story.
Perfect
Young readers experiencing worry or anxiety about scary things happening around them or in the world
Parents and caregivers looking for books that will help assure kids that it's okay to be afraid sometimes
Readers seeking stories that have a classic fairy tale feel
Gift-givers seeking a beautifully illustrated and deeply moving story
Violet knows what it’s like to be when you’re afraid, you feel helpless and small. But when Violet is afraid, she doesn’t just feel small—she actually shrinks! It’s tough to stop feeling frightened when you’re only a few centimeters tall. But when Violet’s best friend is in danger, she’ll have to learn to deal with her fear in a new way—and save the day in the process.
Shrinking Violet is a beautifully illustrated story about fear and bravery for anyone who has ever felt scared and small. Readers will root for Violet as she finds her voice, stands up for her friend, and, most importantly, discovers the tremendous power of her own inner strength.
BIG Feeling small and afraid is a universally relatable experience. The shrinking metaphor at the core of Violet’s story will resonate deeply with young readers and demonstrate that being (or feeling!) small isn’t a weakness—it’s normal and completely okay.
EMPOWERING Violet is a strong female character who solves her own problems by learning to control and ultimately accept her feelings. Her story will feel familiar and wonderfully relatable to kids, and Violet is a positive role model in whom all young readers (especially girls!) can see themselves represented.
ALL-STAR Author Laurel Snyder, Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner, and illustrator LeUyen Pham, Caldecott Honoree, are children’s literature superstars with many bestsellers to their names. They're also real-life friends! This is the first project they've collaborated on, and they've combined their all-star talent to make a truly special story.
Perfect
Young readers experiencing worry or anxiety about scary things happening around them or in the world
Parents and caregivers looking for books that will help assure kids that it's okay to be afraid sometimes
Readers seeking stories that have a classic fairy tale feel
Gift-givers seeking a beautifully illustrated and deeply moving story
- GenresPicture BooksFriendship
56 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 31, 2026
20 people want to read
About the author
Laurel Snyder
39 books807 followersLaurel Snyder is the author of six children's novels, "Orphan Island," "Seven Stories Up," "Bigger than a Bread Box," "Penny Dreadful," "Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains OR The Search for a Suitable Princess" and "Any Which Wall" (Random House) as well as many picture books, including "Charlie & Mouse," "The Forever Garden," "Swan, the life and dance of Anna Pavlova," and "Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher."
A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and a former Michener Fellow, she also writes books for grownups, and is the author of a book of poems, "The Myth of the Simple Machines" (No Tell Books) and a chapbook, "Daphne & Jim: a choose-your-own-adventure biography in verse (Burnside Review Press) and the editor of an anthology, "Half/Life: Jew-ish Tales from Interfaith Homes" (Soft Skull Press).
Though Baltimore will always be her home, she now lives happily in Atlanta.
A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and a former Michener Fellow, she also writes books for grownups, and is the author of a book of poems, "The Myth of the Simple Machines" (No Tell Books) and a chapbook, "Daphne & Jim: a choose-your-own-adventure biography in verse (Burnside Review Press) and the editor of an anthology, "Half/Life: Jew-ish Tales from Interfaith Homes" (Soft Skull Press).
Though Baltimore will always be her home, she now lives happily in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
As a parent of a child with crippling anxiety, this book hit home - hard. My child reacts in a domino fashion to situations which cause him discomfort or fear. He often reacts so quickly that it creates a new situation which is worse than the initial problem, much like Violet. The underlying theme of strength and bravery is written into this book in such a way that the reader immediately feels stronger and more confident, just by reading about Violet. The illustrations are breathtaking. The colors and details create a fantasy world for the reader to experience with Violet, almost allowing an escape from reality. What a wonderful book to add to your collection!
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January 3, 2026Violet lives in a castle on an island with her dear friend Bird. There are things in the castle - like spiders and strange noises - that frighten Violet. And when she is frightened she shrinks. She fears that one day she will shrink away to nothing. But her mindfulness techniques and her friendship with Bird sustain her.
Then one evening she wakes up and Bird is gone! She hears his frightened cries. She reaches for her courage and goes to find her friend. But she gets smaller and smaller. Will she be able to help Bird?
Then one evening she wakes up and Bird is gone! She hears his frightened cries. She reaches for her courage and goes to find her friend. But she gets smaller and smaller. Will she be able to help Bird?
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews