Picture Book Review: Timid by Harry Woodgate

Timid by Harry Woodgate

Publisher: Little Bee Books
Publication Date: June 28, 2022
Library Purchase: We sure will!

Synopsis

Timmy is struggling with their inner cowardly lion in this picture book about friendship and overcoming anxiety.

Timmy loves nothing more than performing, that is, until they have an audience. They live in the shadow of their inner cowardly lion who loves to come out and ROAR all their confidence away. As Timmy dreads the upcoming school play, they form a powerful friendship with their classmate Nia. Together, they work to overcome their shyness and tame the lion. But when it's time to take the stage, Timmy feels the familiar swoosh of the lion's tail.

Will Timmy be able to calm their anxiety and put on a show-stopping performance?

Review

What a sweet story! Timid feels like the picture book version of the middle grade book Living with Viola. Timmy is very shy and that shyness is personified by the form of a lion. While Timmy loves to perform, they can't imagine getting on stage in front of so many people. 

With the help of their new friend Nia, Timmy practices as many calming techniques as they can think of and there is something so beautiful about that. I love seeing Timmy working to regulate their emotions and what I love even more is that they don't necessarily work all the time. 

When Timmy is finally able to work with the lion and not fight against him, they make a great team!

This is such a beautiful picture book, both the story and the illustrations and I can't wait get it on my library shelves. 

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