Shy Steve - by Katerina Spaeth (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A FOREWARD INDIES 2024 FINALIST FOR PICTURE BOOKS!
A Children's Book Council Summer 2024 Showcase: Imagination Celebration! Pick

A gentle lesson about overcoming shyness takes center stage in this uplifting and beautiful picture book. Stuck in a mundane routine caused by his own shy behavior, Steve gets coffee from a barista who constantly misspells his name, rides to work on rickety bus, and gets piles of work from his grumpy boss. But one day, Steve's life changes when he meets Marianna, a guitarist, who brings out the hidden, confident songwriter he holds deep inside. With collage-style illustrations coupled with a whimsical story, Shy Steve will speak to kids hindered by their own shyness and fear, and inspire them to let their inner light shine.

Review Quotes

Shy Steve's life changes after a moment of bravery and the spark of new friendship.
Shy Steve finds comfort in his routine. Every day, he goes to the same coffee shop (where they misspell his name on the cup), goes to the same gloomy office building, and takes the same bus home. On an unusually unpredictable day, Steve meets and then slowly befriends Marianna, who plays her guitar and hums on the bus. Side by side on their ride, he writes lyrics while she plays. Bolstered by his newfound friendship, Shy Steve makes dramatic changes in his life and has a revelation that he should have spoken up for himself long before he did. Spaeth's unique illustrations are three-dimensional collage, with textured elements like buttons, felt, fabric, yarn stitching, and clay. Shy Steve and the other characters (some human, some animal) appear Claymation-like. Steve has pale skin and fiery red hair with tightly twisted curls, while musician Marianna has brown skin and tightly coiled black hair with purple highlights. Shy Steve works an adult job and has an adult boss, but children will surely relate to his timidity and anxiety. The book has meaningful ideas for little readers to note: One small act of bravery can be enough to positively effect change, and all voices deserve to be heard.
A story with distinctive illustrations and a definitive message. (Picture book. 5-7)

Shy Steve overcomes his shyness to form a band with his new friend Marianna. A simple young man who keeps to himself and works in a small cubicle, Steve has a daily routine in which he goes to a coffee shop and by memory knows the coffee menu where he barely whispers his order. The Barista constantly writes down the wrong name on his coffee cup but Steve never corrects him. One of Shy Steve's favorite things to do is writing poetry. One day while waiting to get on the city bus, he hears a humming and a guitar being played but with no words. He turns to see a young lady playing the guitar. Through brave acts, Steve ends up sitting with her on the bus, writing songs. Even after befalling terrible accidents, the two friends separately and together create music; their friendship and creative collaboration bring him happiness, even after he is injured and hospitalized. This beautiful and sad story resonates about how life can be for many. The collage art used is so unique, appearing to be made of clay and fabric, while the diverse characters put humans and animals (anthropomorphized) on equal footing. VERDICT Although the story is about young adults, the theme of shyness will definitely resonate for children. A melancholy and sweet addition to any children's collection.--Annmarie Braithwaite

About the Author

Originally from Ukraine, Katerina works and lives as a professor and artist in Northern California. She received her BFA in illustration from San Jose State in 2019.