Missing Out

In Missing Out, readers follow Matt, a young boy looking forward to his friend Dev's birthday. But when the invitations are handed out and Matt doesn't receive one, he feels excluded, hurt, and confused. The narrative gently guides young readers through the process of managing disappointment and expressing feelings in a respectful, constructive way. As Matt considers what to do with the birthday present he had already chosen for Dev, children are invited to reflect on empathy, emotional expression, and the importance of communication in friendships. This thoughtful story also highlights the challenges of misunderstandings and the positive outcomes of resolving conflict. With vibrant illustrations and an age-appropriate storyline, the book provides a safe and familiar context for exploring the concepts of inclusion, emotional wellbeing, and forgiveness, helping readers develop key interpersonal and self-awareness skills.

Educational Benefits:

• Supports development of emotional literacy and vocabulary for expressing feelings
• Promotes healthy relationship skills and empathy
• Encourages conflict resolution through positive communication
• Reinforces character education themes such as inclusion and forgiveness

Classroom Ideas:

• Role-play different ways to respond when feeling left out
• Create an emotion wheel and discuss feelings shown in the story
• Write journal entries from Matt and Dev's perspectives
• Use discussion cards to explore how to manage misunderstandings

Safety & Information:

• Ages: 6-8 years
• Book size: 150 x 200 mm
• Page count: 12 pages
• Safety: No small parts or materials requiring supervision