Sometimes Shy

by Julie Bliven, Dang Khoa Tran (Illustrator)

A boy notices everything around him that can be shy--a seedling slow to sprout, a marker timid to let its color out. But no one accuses objects of being too shy. On a seaside stroll home from school with his older brother, the boy doesn't feel shy at all. Because, like the ocean tides, sometimes we're shy, and sometimes we're like big, booming waves with a lot to say at the end of the day.

A lyrical exploration of situational shyness, and how sometimes inanimate objects can be shy too.


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Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Emotion

36 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2023

Reviews

[Kirsten - Children's Library Lady]

A shy young boy out for a seaside stroll with his older brother notices the shy nature surrounding him. The sun gradually rises, buds on a windowsill bloom, and the ocean's waves ebb and flow harmoniously. Sometimes Shy encourages us to embrace our and others' changing moods and appreciate the beauty of life's shy and energetic moments.

[Annie Radke · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family and I absolutely loved this book. My son quickly saw aspects of himself in the main character and even started quickly making connections in our home of things that are "shy." This is the fantastic read for all children- those finding their own way/confidence socially, as well as those understanding their "shy" peers. Highly recommend this book!

[Jennifer Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute read with a wonderful message. I haven’t read another children’s book that looks at this topic so it’s unique and a wonderful reminder that we move at our own pace and it’s ok to be shy. Beautiful imagery and illustrations.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who was a really shy child I LOVED Sometimes Shy and wish I had access to it when I was as younger.

Highly recommend for anyone with young kids or anyone with inner child healing to do ☺️

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who was a really shy child I LOVED Sometimes Shy and wish I had access to it when I was as younger.

Highly recommend for anyone with young kids or anyone with inner child healing to do ☺️

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Shyness, Small Harbor Town Living, Asian Author

The illustrator lives in Vietnam.

[Mary Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

There examples of things that are shy are ok, but I loved the ending where he's talking to his brother.
This is my children. This was me.

[Lafcadio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you ever stop talking?

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: At first, the sun barely stretches through the crack between my curtains. The morning is slow to cast its glow over the harbor in our little town. Still, no one calls the sun shy.

My thoughts: This one felt PERFECT to me.

Premise/plot: Sometimes Shy is a unique (and lovely) twist on the traditional book about shyness. It stars a little boy who is sometimes shy. In addition to being shy (at least sometimes) it shows that he is observant and thoughtful/wise. There are many observations he makes about the world around him. For example, he notes that while no one does call the sun "shy," it certainly can act that way. It is in some ways a day-in-the-life book. After the school day where he is shy, readers meet him in his element, among his immediate family. He is NOT always shy. Sometimes he's exuberant, talkative, playful, joyful, full of energy and life, holding nothing back.

My thoughts (part 2): I loved this one so much!!! Shyness is NOT condemned in this one. It is honestly explored. I also LOVED that it was not a problem to be solved by the end of the book.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book to let the world know that we all have an on and an off switch – the main child character here is a bit shy and quiet, certainly in comparison to some things he can mention, but when he looks around in his observant "shy" manner he sees other things be shy – the sun hesitantly peeping over the horizon, a bud on a windowsill plant taking its time, even the waves in the bay being subdued and limpid at times. Of course, at other times the child will be talking nineteen to a dozen, the sun will be blazing and the waves crashing into surf like nobody's business. Very pleasant illustrations bring all this to life, and the welcome message is not the most commonly delivered one, so this has little reason to fail.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes Shy is a quiet book, but as all introverts know, there is strength in reticence. This book shows its strength from the very first lyrical line to the very last beautiful illustration!

The young child, feeling sometimes shy himself notices how the world around him can also be shy. The ocean waves, the sunrise, the dusty book in the corner… all of these things can be slow to show themselves, just like him! This story will immediately resonate with those kids who might hesitate to open up, at least until they feel the comfort this boy feels with his brother.

A great read for ages 4-7.

[Manasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s too easy to assume the world is made for the ones who make the most noise. So often, shy observant children regretfully notice what makes them different (and even lacking) from their louder peers. [Sometimes Shy] is refreshing in how it portrays a reserved child in a new light, one in which they appreciate the ways nature can be shy and wonderful too. How I wish my younger self could hear this powerful and poetic validation of being just who you are!

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about how sometimes shy people can be quiet in their classrooms, on the playground, etc., but if they are in the right, comfortable, situation then they can talk and talk. This perfectly personifies one of my nieces. Most people call her quiet and think she doesn't talk much but with certain friends and family she can talk for hours.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this book that has a boy labeled shy and bashful wondering why the reluctant sun or the last drops of cereal are never so labeled.

I read a digital advanced reader's copy courtesy of the publisher

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story proving that we all have different layers to our personalities and how a good mix of sometimes shy and sometimes not can be a pretty special combination. Bright illustrations complement the lyrical text!

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy explores the world and what is shy like him, which includes seedlings on the windowsill, the morning sun, and the sea. This book would pair well with _Why are you Quiet?_, which also compares objects in the world to a child's personality.

[LS Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes it takes just the right listener to help the "shy" person open up, when they want.

[Emily Guerette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great choice for a family’s or an educator’s library. It’s a celebration of a child’s self acceptance and his observations of the natural world and school day. Similar to the boy, things around him can be shy, or bold at times (low tide, seedlings slow to sprout, etc). This character realizes that feelings come and go and do not define a person. The message is not heavy handed but instead encourages reflection or drawing/journaling or recognizing with whom we feel most comfortable being ourselves.