Shy Ty is a children’s social issues picture book written by Anne Toole and illustrated by Richa Kinra. Ty didn’t like being lonely and having no friends or anyone to talk to. He definitely did not like being shy, but he had no idea what to do about it. When he was outside, he’d sit under his favorite tree and think about his shyness and how alone he felt. School was no better. He avoided meeting the eyes of other students as he walked through the school corridors. Even saying ‘hi’ seemed too much of a risk for him. Ty was actually happiest when he was in his room at home. He loved to draw and ink the funny cartoons he’d create so easily. He was good at drawing and soon had completed funny pictures of his brother and sister and even some of the kids in his class. Ty knew it wasn’t good to just sit in his room all day, but he did love to draw. Then one day something magical happened.

Anne Toole’s Shy Ty addresses a common issue for both kids and adults -- just about everyone has experienced shyness and some, like Ty, have it to a degree than it cripples their lives. This book teaches shy kids that they’re not alone in having those feelings and demonstrates that everyone has something special to offer. The story also helps foster feelings of empathy in kids for those of their peers who, like Ty, are lonely and seem out of the loop. Shy Ty is an excellent selection for story hour, especially when followed by a discussion about feelings of shyness, loneliness, and fear. I’d also imagine that passing out art supplies afterward could inspire the budding Shy Tys and other kids to explore their own artistic gifts and talent for funny drawings. Richa Kinra’s bright and colorful illustrations make Ty, his teacher and his classmates come to life brilliantly. Shy Ty is most highly recommended.

As the title Shy Ty indicates, Ty is a little boy dealing with shyness. He feels sad that he has no friends, and he does not play with his classmates during recess. In the school hallways and playground, he looks down at the ground and does not talk to the other children. What Ty enjoys most is drawing funny cartoons. After school, he runs home and spends hours in his room drawing his siblings, animals, and ghosts. He wishes he could do this all day rather than going to school and being shy. When his teacher assigns a class project, at first Ty did not know what he could do. But, when he decides to draw funny pictures of his classmates and shares them, he receives praise and acceptance. Soon, he has many friends in his class. In the children’s book, Shy Ty, written by Anne Toole, a delightful story of overcoming shyness is presented.

Shy Ty is engaging and is written for the child who is shy – and for other children who need to learn more about the shy child in their family or classroom. It illustrates how all children, even the quiet ones in the background, have special talents. The story may encourage children to reach out to those children who are hesitant to talk or are on the sidelines during recess. The illustrations by Richa Kinra are beautifully drawn and will engage a child’s interest. The story is written in a poetic format which is also enjoyable for children (and for parents to read out loud). Author Anne Toole certainly knows how to capture a child’s imagination in her book Shy Ty.