To Fraidy Dog, sofas are spooky, cupboards are creepy and houseplants are horrifying! Will he ever learn not to be afraid?” I read “Fraidy Dog” by Kate Sheehy with my autistic son, Odhran. Odhran is five and loves stories but can be less engaged in stories that don’t fit within his particular interests. I was unsure how he’d take to “Fraidy Dog” but he LOVED it!
The story follows Fraidy Dog as he comes to terms with all the scary things in his home, only to find, with the help of a friend, that many of the things were not so scary after all. The story is told in short, simple sentences which makes it ideal for shared reading time. The illustrations are bright and engaging and do a wonderful job at telling the story without words.
The story begins a little spooky, perfect for those tiny thrillseekers, but by the end it dispels any lingering fear or doubt the reader has about Fraidy’s fears. It teaches us about changing perspectives and about the power of friendship.
It can be difficult to deliver a narrative that hits so many strong notes in so few words but Sheehy has created a wonderful entry-level tale that teaches children about overcoming adversity. It was a beautifully gentle story and I think it will appeal to kids from toddler to about about 6 or 7 years of age. It’s also a great story for identifying some feelings like fear and bravery, especially for kids like my son who communicate differently.
Overall, Odhran and I really enjoyed the adventures of Fraidy Dog and I intend to add more of Kate Sheehy’s books to our family library. 5/5 stars
By Leigh Kenny.
“Fraidy Dog” by Kate Sheehy, published by O’ Brien Press, is on sale now for €10.99 (P/B).
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, O’ Brien Press, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review.
