Daniela Palumbo
5+
Peter Tomato (Beginners, Fiction)
Synopsis Peter is very shy. Whenever somebody talks to him he turns red as a ripe tomato. Then when Eleonor is around he becomes even more red to the ears and neck. At school he does not pass unnoticed by his shyness. And everybody teases him. Almost everyone except Eleanor who protects him. But every day gets worse at school and Peter is fed up. One morning, he decides that he will not go to school anymore. Useless are the speeches of his mother and father. Then grandpa, who was a boxer in his young days, comes to visit him. He tells him that they are not the others who have to accept him but he has to accept himself, so shyness will vanish. Grandpa teaches Peter Tomato, as he is called by his companions, to fight shyness within himself as if this were a boxing match. He trains and supports him. Until Peter feels more confident and well enough to beat shyness. “And when you do not succeed”, teaches him granpa, “The important thing is to know how to laugh at our own defects!”
Excerpt “You must deal with this matter seriously, Peter. As if you were a gladiator who fights against the Lions. You must absolutely win!” “But Grandpa, this is not a race.” “Yes it is! It’s a match with yourself, Peter. Think about it: when you feel redness coming get redness, is it not AS IF YOU WERE GIVEN A FIST?” “Yup! Right here.” Peter replies with a hand on his stomach. “I knew it. This is shyness. Your opponent is hiding inside you. But you do not want to give up, right?” Grandpa Valentino says. Peter looks down. He feels so small when it comes... How can you overcome shyness? “Now you and I are allies, Peter. We will defeat the shame. We'll train like for a boxing macth. I was a boxing champion, did you know?” “Really?!” the child looks at him as if seeing him for the first time. “I'll be your coach, but we will win without doing harm to anyone. At work, the ring is waiting for us!”
Rights Sold: Italy, Turkey Extent: 128 Target Group: 5+ About: Shyness, Bullying, Frienship
For any further information: FIND OUT Team Srl, Novara, Italy Email: rights@findout-team.com