Piper Chen Sings
By Phillipa Soo
The Story
A girl who sings to the sun, the moon, and the birds outside her window says yes to a solo in her school's Spring Sing — then has to face the butterflies of stage fright with her grandmother's help.
Why It's Special
For the kid who belts out songs in the car but goes quiet the second anyone's watching, this one names that exact flutter of nerves and shows it doesn't mean no.
- Big idea: Nervousness and excitement can live in the same belly at the same time, and having someone who believes in you helps you sing anyway.
- Vibes: warm, musical, and gently reassuring
Perfect For Kids Who
- love singing and making up songs
- are working on managing performance nerves
- enjoy stories about grandparents and grandchildren
- respond well to quiet, encouraging conversations about big feelings
Ask Your Little Reader
- Feelings & empathy: What do you think Piper meant when she said butterflies were having a dance party in her belly?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever felt nervous about doing something you actually wanted to do, like Piper did about her solo?
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think Piper went to find Nai Nai instead of someone else when she was worried?
- Imagination: If you could sing to anything like Piper sings to the sun and moon, what would you pick?
- Real-life connection: Who is someone in your family you go to when you need help feeling brave?
