The Whatif Monster Chapter Book Series by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt is a creative series, featuring eighteen chapters and young characters that early readers will adore. The series presents a new challenge in each chapter — a fear to explore, a possibility that is daunting, and confidence is shaken to the core. Most suitable for early readers, the stories are centered on how to shift perspective and change emotions of fear and uncertainty, building trust in self and learning to be positive, even in the face of impossible odds. Jonathan James wants to be friends with the coolest girl in class, Sam. But he is uncertain if Sam can consider him as a friend. Sam has a dark secret, and she is unsure how her classmates will react if they learn about it. Sebastian wishes he could read like anyone in the class, but when it is his turn to read a paragraph out loud, his fear paralyzes him. The new kid in class bullies everyone; she is mean. How can Jonathan and his friends deal with her? Eighteen short and interesting stories with real problems to deal with, and there is one character who helps to sort things out for the adorable characters: The Whatif Monster.

Michelle Nelson-Schmidt has created a book that should be introduced to every family with early readers. Her characters are genuine and they reflect the world of children — fearful, doubtful, and uncertain. The monster that accompanies these characters is a friend who symbolizes rationality. The central message of the book is pretty simple: You’ve got to try something to know if you can actually do it or not. The stories teach young readers to think, to consider the different perspectives and possible outcomes of situations, and to hope for the best. There is no better way to teach young readers to trust their instincts than having them engage in characters they can relate to and discovering that there could possibly be other outcomes than what they are scared about.

The Whatif Monster Chapter Book Series is a gorgeous treat for early readers and they will love the characters. Each story presents a unique situation and the characters explore the best possibility for the situation. The writing is suitable for young readers and it features diction that is common and characters that are everything we once were as kids. As the characters in this series explore different possibilities to deal with the dilemmas they face in school, they also become aware of their strengths, the beauty of teamwork, the gift of tolerance, and the elegance of self-acceptance. The series presents an inspiring journey of self-realization, building confidence, facing our fears, and most importantly, the wisdom that things can actually work out differently if we tried. Michelle Nelson-Schmidt creates real and unforgettable characters that early readers will love to journey with. The creative genius of this series will hit home to readers and will provide tools that adults can use to help children explore their world. It is a series with characters that kids will stick with — engaging, explorative, and thought-provoking; it is filled with insights to start meaningful and creative conversations with children.