Pop! — Karen Kilpatrick

Pop!: Otto, the Kernel Who Didn't Pop is one of the heartwarming kids picture books that explores self-acceptance, resilience, and the courage to embrace what makes us different. In this self confidence book, Otto is a young Kernel eagerly awaiting Pop Day, the moment when every Kernel fulfills their destiny by popping. But when the big day arrives and Otto doesn’t pop, he feels left behind and unsure of his purpose. As Otto returns to his jar, feeling alone and defeated, a surprising scent leads him to an unexpected realization: he doesn’t need to pop to achieve his dreams. Brought to life by award-winning author and illustrator duo Kilpatrick and Blanco, this is one of those empowering self confidence books for kids that uses vibrant illustrations and a quirky narrative to teach children that it’s okay to stand out. Perfect for ages 3 and up, these read-aloud back to school books support social-emotional learning (SEL) by encouraging kids to embrace differences, diversity, build self-confidence, and overcome setbacks. A delightful choice for kindergarten books for classroom, family reading, or gifting, Pop! is one of the inspiring stories for kids, parents, families, teachers, librarians, and as classroom storytimes for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary students celebrating inclusion and diversity. Ideal for fans of The Good Egg and The Bad Seed. Otto’s journey is a gentle reminder that being true to yourself is the best kind of pop there is.