Freddy the Fox Will Not Share His Thoughts is the second installment in The Mindset School Series by Heather Lyn Davis. Written for Grade K-3rd children, it is designed to develop self-confidence in children. Freddy is a clever fox but he is very anxious. The story starts as he wakes up smelling the oatmeal his mother prepares for breakfast. Freddy loves oatmeal as long as it doesn’t have raisins in it. However, when his mother asks him what he likes in his oatmeal, he tells her that whatever she adds will be fine. He is too frightened to say that he prefers berries in his oatmeal. Unfortunately, his mom adds raisins to his oatmeal. The same thing happens at the playground before school when Jake and Tommy ask him what game he wants to play. Freddy wants to play a game he has invented but he can’t share his thoughts with his playmates. Can he finally gain confidence in himself and share his thoughts with family and friends?

Heather Lyn Davis’ Freddy the Fox Will Not Share His Thoughts is a charming story about a fox who is trying to gain the confidence to express himself without being nervous about what others will think of him. Beautifully illustrated by Corryn Webb, kids will surely fall in love with Freddy and his story. The plot is easy to follow with short sentences, large type, and picture clues that will keep beginning readers interested. This book should be read with children to help them explore their feelings and the fear they have of sharing their thoughts. As Freddy tries to improve his self-esteem and build confidence in different situations, most children can empathize with him. Reading his story should empower them not to be anxious about sharing their thoughts with their families and friends.

Freddy the Fox Will Not Share His Thoughts, written by Heather Lyn Davis and illustrated by Corryn Webb, revolves around Freddy and his discomfort in disclosing what he wants. The book begins with breakfast at home, where Freddy's mother asks what he would like mixed in with his oatmeal. Freddy does not like raisins but ends up with them when he can’t tell his mother what he wants. This continues at school, where Freddy is incapable of answering questions when he knows the answer. He also experiences this problem when telling his friends about a new game he invented. Freddy has a breakthrough during an art lesson and as his confidence grows, so does his ability to voice his thoughts.

Freddy the Fox Will Not Share His Thoughts is unique in that it does not specifically deal with shyness, a common theme in children's literature, which is not always the case for young readers who have a social anxiety disorder. Although there are similarities, being shy and having an anxiety disorder is not the same. Heather Lyn Davis makes this distinction through Freddy's fear of being judged even when in safe spaces, such as during mealtime with his mother. Freddy's breakthrough seems to be spontaneous and triggered by a single action; the simplicity of this change in him, requiring no significant behavioral therapy, may not appeal to some readers looking for a more realistic approach. The illustrations by Corryn Webb are exceptional. Freddy and his friends come to life with a bold color palette and expressive faces that convey emotion and environment wonderfully. This is a nice addition to an afternoon read.