Additional information
by Clara Harper (Author), Sümeyye Demir (Illustrator)
Shame Is My Monster is a gentle and empowering picture book that helps children recognize shame, normalize embarrassment, and build emotional resilience. Through a warm, relatable story, this book gives young readers simple, practical tools to manage big feelings and grow in confidence.
"This story helped my daughter talk about something that happened at school. She realized she's not the only one who feels ashamed sometimes. It opened the door for healing." - Parent Review
The story includes helpful affirmations and emotional coping strategies that children can use when facing difficult moments:"I'm still a good person."
"It's okay to make mistakes."
"Everyone gets embarrassed sometimes."
When Evelyn freezes during her school play and rushes offstage in tears, she feels overwhelmed with shame. That night, she meets Sally-the Shame Monster-who grows bigger every time Evelyn hides her feelings. Sally follows her to breakfast, clings to her backpack at school, and whispers self-doubt in her ear, making her feel small and alone.
But everything changes when a classmate shares her own experience with shame. Evelyn realizes that feeling embarrassed is something everyone goes through. Shame is not something to fear. With understanding and self-kindness, it can be faced and gently managed.
Evelyn's journey helps kids learn to face difficult feelings and speak kindly to themselves. With practice and support, Sally the Shame Monster begins to shrink, and Evelyn starts to feel stronger and more confident.
This story teaches children:- That shame is a normal and temporary emotion
- How to talk about embarrassment in a safe and healthy way
- How to use imagination and empathy to manage difficult feelings
- That kindness toward yourself helps build self-worth
- That making mistakes is part of growing and learning
Written by children's author Clara Harper, Shame Is My Monster is part of the My Inner Monster series. These social emotional learning books use storytelling and metaphor to help children understand and name their emotions while building lifelong coping skills. Perfect for kids who feel embarrassed easily, struggle with self-doubt, or find it hard to recover after making a mistake. This book is ideal for emotional learning at home, in classrooms, therapy offices, or during bedtime reading.
If your child enjoys Anger Is My Monster or I Am Stronger Than Anxiety, they will love Shame Is My Monster.Recommended for ages 3 to 8, pre-K through second grade.
