Trini is the highest flyer, the strongest gripper, the most spectacular cartwheeler at her after-school club.
She easily masters any gymnastic move her teachers show her, and always says, "I can do that." But when she tries to construct buildings out of blocks like her friends do, she discovers that some things don't come as easily for her. Through the encouragement of her friends, Trini learns the value of collaboration and trying new things, even when they aren't so easy. An afterword by the founder and CEO of The Little Gym Europe, outlines why it's important to encourage children to try new and difficult things.
Trini says, "I can do that" about everything she tries at the gym. But what happens when a new activity isn't all that easy for her?
"Trini can do everything, or so she thinks, until she discovers she can't. In her flowery green dress, yellow boots, and red superhero cape, Trini can do anything. 'She was the highest flyer, the strongest gripper, the most spectacular cartwheeler at Bounce and Build'. But one day she finds her friends are not around her as she 'leaps and twirls and swirls and curls'; they are instead playing with blocks. When she tries to build 'a castle with a tower', Trini finally finds something she cannot do. After initial frustration she accepts help from her friends, and together they have a wonderful time building a castle. The next day Trini is back and ready to help her friends perform all the gymnastics that she is so good at, 'And in their own ways, with Trini's help, they did'. Trini is depicted with black hair and olive skin; of her friends, two are white and two are darker-skinned, one possibly black. In a lengthy afterword directed at parents, co-author de Wit explains the importance of exposing children to a variety of experiences both challenging and easy in order to promote their development, teach them to overcome obstacles, and maybe awaken a life calling.
Partly a parenting book, partly aimed at children, best read and discussed together.Kirkus Reviews
"Solid text depicts Trini as relatable and confident but never smug. The spare illustrations clearly show a child's enthusiasm and gymnastic skill in addition to her dismay at her inability to excel for the first time. An afterword for parents discusses the importance of exposing children to challenging experiences."-School Library Journal
"?encourages children to challenge themselves and others by exploring a variety of activities and experiences, having fun while forming healthy foundations for future success."-Foreword Reviews
