Deep in the woods was a town called Green Frond.
Inside that town was a park and a pond.
Inside that pond, Red lived in a cave.
(His home under water was where he felt safe.)
Red liked what he liked. He saw no need to try new things or go new places. In fact, Red feared the unknown. One might say he was inflexible. Rigid. Stuck.
But Red is about to learn there's more to life than just collecting rocks and playing with strings. Sure, he can continue to enjoy his favorite things, but if he is brave and tries something new, he might be surprised at the delights that await him. Because...
"This world is so big and full of surprise.
Some bad but most good! You don't know 'til you try."
Summary:
Red is a red-eared slider turtle. He is a shy young boy who enjoys collecting rocks and watching pieces of string wave in the water. He is very rigid with his routines and preferences. When his mother chooses to eat breakfast in the sun, Red must decide if he will remain in his comfort zone and eat boring pellets in his cave, or join his mom and take a chance on something new.
About this book:
Little Red Slider Steps Out is a fun, engaging rhyming children's book designed to gently expose learners to the benefits of flexibility and using coping strategies. It is targeted for young children but enjoyable for learners of any age.
The author and illustrator, Elizabeth Bart, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst(R) (BCBA(R)) who has had the honor of working with neurodivergent individuals for over 30 years. Since she began her career, she noticed some existing gaps in traditional educational and therapeutic interventions. She has always sought to encourage her learners to grow in the areas of problem-solving, flexibility, executive functions, coping skills, and perspective taking. It's harder than it seems, because most neurotypical individuals learn these skills over time from the natural environment. Experience tends to be a great teacher. We experiment, we fail, we observe, we try again, we succeed, etc.
Unfortunately, many neurodivergent individuals struggle to learn these skills from the natural environment. But, that is OK! They often just need to be taught in different, clearer, more concrete, or more creative ways.
This book is the first in the Red Slider series to help learners of any see the practical benefits of stepping out of their comfort zone. It demonstrates the benefits of flexibility and also provides ideas for coping strategies, because we all need tools to help us be brave.