A book we handpicked because every kid needs it.
Middle school throws a lot at kids—awkward silences, friendship drama, standing up for themselves, and knowing what to say when someone’s upset. This book gives kids practical words for real-life moments, helping them build confidence, kindness, and stronger social skills—all in a fun comic-style format they’ll actually enjoy reading.
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Great book for kids who struggle with social skills! My fifth-grader has autism and often has difficulty knowing how to handle social situations. I got him this book and it really helped him!
A sneak peek
Most social-skills books tell kids to "be confident." This one gives the literal words to use, for kids who freeze up or overthink.
Comic-strip format and a non-judgmental tone mean kids read it on their own, without being nagged.
Bullying, exclusion, apologies, showing kindness — the conversations parents most want help starting.
Each topic stands alone, so kids come back to whatever they're facing that week.
Every parent knows the moment — a friend group turns cold, a joke lands wrong, someone says something hurtful, and your kid has no idea what to say. What Can I Say? exists for exactly that moment: real scripts they can pull from, so they're never standing there speechless.
Help your kids find the right words for different situations.
Illustrated scenes, real exercises to keep them engaged!
Honest guidance for the in-between years. Recommended for Ages 10+
Help your kids find the right words for different situations.
Illustrated scenes, real exercises to keep them engaged!
Honest guidance for the in-between years. Recommended for Ages 10+
My teen and I loved this book! Cute illustration, accessible design, warm and funny writing, kind, humanistic view of the world. I have an 18 year old, who is autistic. He's a bit older than the book's official target audience but it still helps him a lot! Easy to read and understand for those who often miss social cues but still want to connect. I've already recommended it to tons of other folks with autism and their loved ones as well as to all my family members with grade-schoolers/tweens. SO GOOD. If everyone read this book, we'd live in a much safer, more communicative world.
I can literally see my child's self-worth building every time they use these suggestions to set a healthy boundaries in social situations. It is honestly amazing to watch them handle conflicts with such calm and respect for themselves and others. Truly a must-have for families. I'm sure even adults would find helpful tips!
My 10 year old was the first to grab this book when it arrived and really likes it! It's advice for what to do in situations that might seem easy, like running into someone you recognize in public. But so many kids (and adults as well, TBH) struggle and end up hiding to avoid such interactions. The author is hilarious and extraordinarily empathetic in her advice. I ordered a few additional copies to give out for all the sweet, awkward middle schoolers around me. I would also recommend the card game that comes free! Try it with your family, really increases quality family time!
This book is well-written and gave some good insights. Recommend this to any child that may be having issues with social skills or school-life.
This book is awesome for children but, also for adults! They are just 2 pager, short lessons. Like social stories about how to handle real life situations appropriately. We read a chapter every night, like a bedtime routine! I'm so happy my child enjoys this book as I prep them for the scary tween years!
As a single parent dad, it's such a relief to find this book and have these scripts. They have helped us talk through some big feelings with so much more clarity. I also appreciate the freebie conversation cards that came with so much. I don't always know what to say during meal times. These have helped me bond with my kids much better!
What a surprise find! A super gentle way to teach kids how to be good friends and stand tall, be themselves. My daughter is definitely finding her voice!
I bought this book for my 11-year-old who was struggling with social anxiety at school. Within weeks, I noticed him initiating conversations and handling awkward situations with so much more ease. The real-life scenarios really clicked with him. Now he actually looks forward to group projects and lunch with friends. This book gave him the tools he needed to express himself well. One of the best parenting resource I've purchased so far! The Parent Toolkit given with the books was also helped heaps, thank you!
Dad got me a bunch of books. and okay this is the one i actually needed bc i never know what to say when it happens and i just go quiet. this actually helped and i liked that it wasn't boring to read.
I am a grandparent to 3 children (aged 9, 10 and 12.) I want them to feel supported through their school years. Thankfully, they have found it useful and have good comments about it so far. Can recommend as gifts! I want to also highlight that the free gifts (stickers were well loved), and book for parents were really good value provided by the shop.
I wanted the review to come from my child. She said, "This is actually kind of useful, not boring-adult-book useful, like ACTUALLY useful for stuff that happens at school!"
I honestly think it helped me alot as a parent as well. Sometimes I don't really know how to advise and having this as a guide has been a lifesaver!!!
My daughter (who's 10) said this book was very informative and helpful. The language and style made it interesting and enjoyable to read. A lot of useful information provided covering a lot of topics and situations. No regrets from a clueless parent!
Really appreciate how simple and direct these tools are. It takes the guesswork out of teaching social emotional skills to my kids. The illustrations make it fun to read too.
Honestly wish I had such resources when I was younger. It teaches such valuable skills for situations that actually happens in the kid's daily life, not just textbook examples! I had gotten the 3 book bundle and honestly the value is amazing! I loved the free resources that came with it, we have so much fun together with the conversation cards!
Takes a little practice to apply them in actual situations. My child used one of the scripts at school today when someone was being unkind. This book really helped them feel braver in these situations and I am just so happy!
I purchased a 2 book bundle for my 9 and 10 year olds. Honestly, It's been a game-changer for our whole family. We read it together at bedtime, and it sparked amazing conversations. They used to come home upset about school conflicts or not knowing how to respond to rude comments. Now, we talk it through together and they know how to handle these situations better. Highly recommend for any parent wanting to raise socially confident, empathetic kids.
Written for ages 10 and up — perfect timing for kids heading into or navigating middle school. The scenarios inside (friendship conflict, group dynamics, hard conversations) are written for that stage specifically.
A physical paperback — 160 pages, shipped straight to your door.
A genuine mix. It's built around comic-strip style illustrations and speech-bubble scenarios, alongside clear, easy-to-read scripts so it works well even for reluctant readers.
Please allow 14–21 days for delivery, with tracking sent as soon as your order ships. You'd be able to track your order as soon as we process it. We'd rather be upfront about timing than promise something we can't guarantee!
Yes, definitely! It's a thoughtful pick for birthdays, young ones starting middle school, or just because you care.
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