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Shy
Shy loves birds. He'd love to watch them fly and hear them sing, but he's only ever read about them in books. . .until a real bird comes along. He's dying to meet her, but there's just one problem: Shy is, well, shy--so shy, in fact, that he's afraid to leave the gutter of the book. Can Shy overcome his fears and venture out onto the page?
This sweetly relatable picture book from the acclaimed Deborah Freedman speaks to every child who's ever felt like hiding instead of facing the daunting world.
This sweetly relatable picture book from the acclaimed Deborah Freedman speaks to every child who's ever felt like hiding instead of facing the daunting world.
40 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2016
9 people are currently reading
1379 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Freedman
14 books208 followersOnce upon a time, I was an architect. But now I'd much rather build worlds in books. :)
I am the author and illustrator of 12 of them, featuring protagonists that include an earthworm searching for its purpose in life, a house that dreams of its origins, and a character that is almost too shy to appear in its own book.
My stories have been translated into ten different languages, adopted in classrooms across the country, and honored with many starred reviews and awards. I live in a colorful house in Connecticut, where I'm always busy at work on my next books.
I love reading books and telling you about them; I hate rating them! Let's just say that if I didn't like a book, it isn't here at all.
Website: www.deborahfreedman.net
—with tons of free resources for readers, and a sign-up for my eNewsletter
Bluesky: @DeborahFreedman.net
Facebook: Deborah Freedman, Author & Illustrator
Instagram, Threads: @FreedmanIllustrates
—stop by and say hi!
I am the author and illustrator of 12 of them, featuring protagonists that include an earthworm searching for its purpose in life, a house that dreams of its origins, and a character that is almost too shy to appear in its own book.
My stories have been translated into ten different languages, adopted in classrooms across the country, and honored with many starred reviews and awards. I live in a colorful house in Connecticut, where I'm always busy at work on my next books.
I love reading books and telling you about them; I hate rating them! Let's just say that if I didn't like a book, it isn't here at all.
Website: www.deborahfreedman.net
—with tons of free resources for readers, and a sign-up for my eNewsletter
Bluesky: @DeborahFreedman.net
Facebook: Deborah Freedman, Author & Illustrator
Instagram, Threads: @FreedmanIllustrates
—stop by and say hi!
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
August 30, 2024
I get it, but I just don't care for it. Message has been done and isn't worth redoing, art is too delicate, simple, and difficult to see. I'd be willing to bet that, in general, more adults than children will love it. When I was a shy child (which I do remember), I would not have liked this.
And I especially don't like someone getting defined by one attribute, and that attribute being one that is defined as negative... and, of course, why is being shy defined as negative anyway?
And I especially don't like someone getting defined by one attribute, and that attribute being one that is defined as negative... and, of course, why is being shy defined as negative anyway?
July 29, 2016
Deborah Freedman is amazing. Shy will blow readers away.
October 20, 2020
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...
Deborah Freedman can do no wrong. Her ability to illustrate differently depending on the story and her ability to tell such a wide variety of stories just moves her to an all-star level. In Shy, Freedman tells us a story of Shy who could represent any kid who fears doing something. His story helps kids who may feel like him go through his journey of facing his fears. I also love that books are such a large part of Shy’s life and really help him with the real world.
Deborah Freedman can do no wrong. Her ability to illustrate differently depending on the story and her ability to tell such a wide variety of stories just moves her to an all-star level. In Shy, Freedman tells us a story of Shy who could represent any kid who fears doing something. His story helps kids who may feel like him go through his journey of facing his fears. I also love that books are such a large part of Shy’s life and really help him with the real world.
May 23, 2016
I have read this book dozens and dozens of times with my son. He absolutely loves the story. When my husband walked him upstairs to bed the night after we got the book, he didn't even make it to the top of the stairs before he requested his reading choices for the night, "Race car books and Shy, please." The book features a character who is Shy and who is unable to say hello to a yellow bird. I won't give anything away, but this is a book that will teach many lessons to readers (and not just the shy ones!). It's a daunting, scary world out there, and all kids will be fearful in situations. This book teaches lessons of courage and friendship. This stunningly beautiful book captured my attention from the start, and I immediately shared it with colleagues.
Full review available in September, closer to publication: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...
Readers will fall in love with this book.
Full review available in September, closer to publication: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...
Readers will fall in love with this book.
August 30, 2019
Shy loved stories, and he loved birds. He especially loved stories about birds. Having never heard a bird's trill in real life, but only read about them in the pages of his beloved books, Shy is delighted when one flies by, and sets out to follow him. Will he succeed in making contact with this enchanting avian stranger, or will he prove too shy...?
A sweet picture-book tribute to shy bookworms everywhere, Shy pairs an engaging tale, one which will keep young reader/listeners guessing as to its eponymous hero's identity until the end, with lovely artwork that captures the beauty of the world, both real and imagined, around Shy. Recommended to anyone looking for stories that offer affirmation to shy children, and encouragement to the idea of venturing out into the world and making friends.
A sweet picture-book tribute to shy bookworms everywhere, Shy pairs an engaging tale, one which will keep young reader/listeners guessing as to its eponymous hero's identity until the end, with lovely artwork that captures the beauty of the world, both real and imagined, around Shy. Recommended to anyone looking for stories that offer affirmation to shy children, and encouragement to the idea of venturing out into the world and making friends.
September 25, 2016
One of the things I remember most about my classroom years, kindergarten through high school graduation, is knowing the answers over and over again but being too afraid to raise my hand. I was painfully quiet except when with close friends. My solace was in books; books allowed me the freedom to be everything I felt inside on the outside as long as I was reading.
Upon finding out a speech class was required for all incoming freshmen in college, I felt true fear. What saved me were grim determination and a deep desire. Teaching was my passion. If I was going to teach and teach well, this shyness had to go. In our speech class we were given the opportunity to give our speech the week before it would be graded. Every single time I not only elected to do this but also volunteered to go first. To fulfill a dream I forced the fear away.
Reading a book about a character who views their world in much the same way we do ours, encourages us. Shy (Viking, September 27, 2016) written and illustrated by Deborah Freedman is a book which calls to readers as soon as they see the title. Let's answer the invitation!
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
Upon finding out a speech class was required for all incoming freshmen in college, I felt true fear. What saved me were grim determination and a deep desire. Teaching was my passion. If I was going to teach and teach well, this shyness had to go. In our speech class we were given the opportunity to give our speech the week before it would be graded. Every single time I not only elected to do this but also volunteered to go first. To fulfill a dream I forced the fear away.
Reading a book about a character who views their world in much the same way we do ours, encourages us. Shy (Viking, September 27, 2016) written and illustrated by Deborah Freedman is a book which calls to readers as soon as they see the title. Let's answer the invitation!
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
April 17, 2019
While this book has pretty pictures, it's very light on story.
Shy is... shy. He mostly just reads books. One day, he sees and hears a bird. Then he follows the bird, and eventually makes friends with it. The end. (No, really. That's about all there is to it.)
The illustrations are soft and colourful and quite nice to look at, but I was kind of distracted by not knowing who Shy was for most of the book. A person? An animal? We don't find out until closer to the end. And then we're left with questions
Because of the secret identity of Shy being revealed, this book will only be surprising on the first read, and there's not much else about it that would make readers want to open it up again. I'd recommend getting this one from the library if you want to read it... because I can't really see it being a favourite on repeat.
Shy is... shy. He mostly just reads books. One day, he sees and hears a bird. Then he follows the bird, and eventually makes friends with it. The end. (No, really. That's about all there is to it.)
The illustrations are soft and colourful and quite nice to look at, but I was kind of distracted by not knowing who Shy was for most of the book. A person? An animal? We don't find out until closer to the end. And then we're left with questions
Because of the secret identity of Shy being revealed, this book will only be surprising on the first read, and there's not much else about it that would make readers want to open it up again. I'd recommend getting this one from the library if you want to read it... because I can't really see it being a favourite on repeat.
March 3, 2017
Beautiful pictures and a gentle, lovely story that I could completely relate to.
January 10, 2018
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is the lovely Shy by Deborah Freedman, a gorgeous fable about overcoming fears and shyness.
Shy is a very timid sort. He’s most comfortable hidden between the pages of a book (this one, to be precise). Still, he dreams of having the courage to explore “a land far away,” where so many of his books are set. One day, he sees a beautiful bird, one of his favorite reading subjects, a decides to do the unthinkable: he leaves home. What follows is a beautiful tale of what can happen when we step out of our comfort zones to create our own “Once upon a time…”
We loved this book. The concept is unique and well-executed, the text is soothing yet inspiring, and the story’s message of courage and inner strength is wonderful. The art is also breathtaking: the colors of each page tell stories of their own, weaving together muted and understated with bright and vibrant depending on what the story calls for. This is an awesome book with a great length for baby bookworms, and JJ adored it, so definitely check this one out. Baby Bookworm approved.
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
March 28, 2017
Can we talk?
I HATE the word shy. I especially hate it when people come into the library with their kid and say, "This is Melania. Melania is shy," right in front of them.
Shy kids are LISTENERS. Shy kids are OBSERVANT. Shy kids are entitled to be exactly who they are!
I had one child who sat outside my story room with his grandma for most of a year. He wouldn't come in the room. One day his grandma said to me, "You know, Miss L, he goes home and sings all the songs you sing with his daddy and tells his mommy all the stories." <3 <3 <3
So this could just be a sweet book about overcoming fear, being brave, and making a friend.
But it smacks of bibliotheraputic crap because of its title/heroine's name.
Sigh..................................
I HATE the word shy. I especially hate it when people come into the library with their kid and say, "This is Melania. Melania is shy," right in front of them.
Shy kids are LISTENERS. Shy kids are OBSERVANT. Shy kids are entitled to be exactly who they are!
I had one child who sat outside my story room with his grandma for most of a year. He wouldn't come in the room. One day his grandma said to me, "You know, Miss L, he goes home and sings all the songs you sing with his daddy and tells his mommy all the stories." <3 <3 <3
So this could just be a sweet book about overcoming fear, being brave, and making a friend.
But it smacks of bibliotheraputic crap because of its title/heroine's name.
Sigh..................................
October 11, 2016
This picture book is very cute and makes such clever use of the gutter (the place where the book pages are bound together). Shy spends all of his time hiding and reading books. One day a bird comes along and Shy is delighted by her singing, but he's too shy to say anything. Young readers, especially shy ones will appreciate Shy's journey to find this bird. The illustrations, made with pencil, watercolor, bits of colored pencil, and assembled in Photoshop, are just beautiful!
Read
June 11, 2022Deborah Freedman is so talented. Her soft watercolors and gently-illustrated animals mirrored the theme of being shy in this book. But then when Shy meets Florence, the illustrations are filled with the contrast of brighter colors! A beautiful metaphor of what it may look like to be brave as well as finding a friend. I think this could empower many young children who also feel a little hesitant to leave the book and follow the singing bird.
July 9, 2017
Sweet, charming story with beautiful, soft illustrations. I know exactly who I would want to hand this book to.
October 24, 2016
Lovely colors and soothing pictures detail this book about two unlikely animals who become friends.
October 25, 2016
Excellent concept about shy MC who hides in the gutter of the book. Beautiful colors throughout tell a gentle story of overcoming fears, longing, and friendship.
December 1, 2016
What a sweet story! The illustrations are luscious, as always, with the added bonus of Shy residing literally between the pages of the book until he is brave enough to step out.
February 9, 2017
Wow. Not only is the storyline deceptively simple & sweet, but the illustrations are stunning (also deceptively simple). I can see why it's getting a lot of well deserved buzz.
March 7, 2017
I couldn't get into this at all. Too abstract, maybe, for the subject matter? I didn't like that we don't see the main character until the end. Nice watercolors, though.
November 8, 2022
I got this sweet story for my niece for Christmas. I adore the message that you can be both brave and shy. The lovely and clever illustrations are soft and compliment the story beautifully.
December 9, 2019
Enjoyed reading this to my "shy" guys. Beautiful illustrations. They enjoyed the mystery.
December 4, 2017
Beautiful and sweet book. My kids were so excited to discover....SPOILER ALERT.....Shy was a giraffe.
November 14, 2017
Who is Shy? That is the fun mystery for the first portion of this book. Shy has learned about birds in books. And then he meets one. Shy is too shy to interact with the bird. But when he gets a second chance he does not let it pass him by!
August 18, 2020
Sweet story, and once again Deborah Freedman’s illustrations are gorgeous.
March 14, 2017
A subtle and sweet story with gorgeous illustrations that have a dreamy, soft feel about them.
July 25, 2017
I loved the illustrations and the gentle story. Shy comes across as a quiet thoughtful book lover who engages and dreams through reading until one day a bird flies by and lures Shy out to discover the world beyond books. I like the way the author keeps Shy hidden from the reader in the beginning. This book has a very delicate, soft touch that shows the slow to warm or reluctant to engage child the benefits of taking a chance.
September 10, 2023
This beautiful book will appeal to all of us who have ever been labeled "shy." The story gives a soft encouragement to readers to venture outside of books to meet and appreciate the real world and the friendships it has to offer.
March 6, 2017
Deborah Freedman's art is spectacular. The story is wonderful.
July 3, 2019
I used to be painfully shy, and it was very lonely, and this short picture book captures that experience so well! The character is invisible for much of the book, until they get brave and approach a friend. The language is poetic and beautiful, and the story is real, but hopeful.
December 20, 2018
Gently rendered in soft muted colors - this is a quiet, lovely story about shyness and courage.
March 23, 2017
The illustrations are just so perfect. The story is just what any shy kid needs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews