Holy Moly Roly Poly

What a FANTASTIC book! Pillbug (or roly poly, potato bug, woodlouse, take your pick) Polly B. Roly trains hard for a 10k. Over the course of the race, she is passed by several of the racers and encouraged to give up by another racer who decides to call it quits. While giving up and rolling into a safe little ball is tempting, Polly decides to stick it out, and draws upon her unique strengths to reach her goal and finish the race in fantastic form.This couldn't have shown up at a better time for us. We're working on guiding our 4.5yo in planning, preparing, practicing and persevering. The messages in Holy Moly Roly Poly are perfect for teaching these life skills. The book opens with scenes of Polly working out, with catchy lines acknowledging that even training and practice--and not just the final race--require determination and grit. During the course of the race, Polly experiences discouragement, and the story acknowledges that giving up isn't always a result of laziness, but that when we're vulnerable and don't think we'll succeed, it feels safe and comforting to just curl up and stop trying. Children who hesitate to try new things because they fear not being able to do them perfectly will find a friend and model in Polly as she gives herself a pep talk and overcomes negative self-talk.What we love best about this book is that the focus is *not* on winning (although Polly does win in the end) or proving anything to the critics, but on following through and finishing for the sake of finishing, and being true to oneself in accomplishing a goal. With lines like, "But then she thinks on the years, weeks, and days that she spent on the treadmill sweating away," "Keeping still in one place simply isn't her style," "She probably won't win, but she could finish this race" and "The least she can do is reach the top of the hill," Polly's encouragement comes from telling herself that she can finish what she set out to do. Impressively, the story avoids the "do your best" platitudes that can feel too touchy-feely for some parents. Polly doesn't just "do her best"--she pushes herself to overcome her own weakness in a positive way. "She puts her mind back on the goal: Come on, Polly, rock'n'unroll!" Even at the climax of the story, as it becomes clear that she's going to succeed, the line is, "Determined to finish no matter the toll." Winning isn't the focus (although she does win in the end), and not once does she concern herself with showing the other racers up. While a lot of children's books encourage perseverance, very few do so with such pure motivations.With a fantastic message, catchy lines and a fun rhyming cadence, this is sure to be a favorite for many families for years to come.

Great read aloud book! My grand kids love roly poly bugs so this was a fun story for them. Beautiful illustrations too.

This looked horrible. It was supposed to be used in very good condition. It looks like it was run over by a car! Horrible. Was going to give as a gift but it’s unacceptable for gifting.

My four year old daughter loves this one!

You would think a little pill bug (or roly poly, if you prefer) wouldn't have a chance on race day. This book shows what's possible when you believe in yourself, a great lesson for the kids and parents alike. With fun rhymes and silly visuals, this is a book I'm excited to read every time the kids pick it off the shelf.

What a wonderful children's book to teach the principle that sometimes the very quality we feel is holding us back is the very one that causes us to overcome. As you read this book you find yourself telling the pill bug not to give up. The word-play is incredible and the rhyming is wonderful.

Great book for kids. This is the 2nd book of Steve Duman's I have bought for my grandkids and am very pleased with both. Highly recommend this book.