Don't Put Yourself Down in Circus Town

Gold Medal winner, Mom's Choice Awards

Ringmaster Rick fosters confidence in his fellow circus performers by discouraging self-talk and put-down statements, encouraging them to be persistent and to ask for help, and by focusing on effort not results. 

Children with self-confidence trust in their abilities, have realistic expectations, know their strengths and weaknesses, are able to adjust to difficult situations, and meet different challenges presented to them. But self-confidence isn’t something that happens easily or automatically. Rather, kids learn to be self-confident from practice and persistence even if mistakes are made. In Don’t Put Yourself Down in Circus Town, children will hear how Ringmaster Rick fosters confidence in Lion Tamer Larry, Polka Dot Patti, Juan, and Juanita by discouraging negative self- talk and put-down statements, by encouraging them to be persistent and ask for help, and by focusing on their efforts, not results. With practice and time, they learn to bounce-back from mistakes and mishaps and feel more confident!

Includes a Note to Parents and Other Caregivers with more information and strategies for building self-confidence in children and helping them develop positive feelings and beliefs about themselves.

Silver Medal, Moonbeam Children's Book Awards

Gold Medal winner, Mom's Choice Awards

"will help readers learn some valuable life skills...Circus Town describes a circus whose performers are suffering from flagging self-esteem but who become more self-assured through the encouragement of Ringmaster Rick,,,include(s) notes for parents and caregivers on the subjects, strategies for helping children cope, and web resources."—School Library Journal

“Dr. Frank Sileo has scored yet another hit with Don’t Put Yourself Down in Circus Town. Like the young circus performers in the story, most of us can remember a time when our own self-confidence had slipped a notch or two, and we can also remember what it felt like. With sensitivity and skill, Frank offers a clear perspective on a concern relevant to so many kids today. Better still, he offers real-life, doable solutions to young people, as well as special tips for parents, teachers and other caregivers. Don’t Put Yourself Down in Circus Town is a great book with an oh-so-timely message.”—Dr. James Sutton, Psychologist and host of The Changing Behavior Network

“Don’t Put Yourself Down in Circus Town has a wonderful message that makes you stop and think about how you could help your child and perhaps even yourself. It deals with self-confidence, one of the most serious challenges in life. The Circus children who are overcome by making mistakes are re-taught by Ringmaster Rick to face those mistakes and believe in themselves. Hurray! Polka Dot Patti falls off her bike and loses her bowling pins, but she doesn’t give up. She works hard and prepares for the show. Larry the Lion Tamer realizes anyone can make a mistake, and tries again. Dougie the Dog Trainer learns that putting yourself down is almost like bullying yourself. At the end of the book there are serious in-depth notes to parents by psychologist Dr. Frank Sileo explaining how self-confidence works and how it affects every moment in life. Dr. Sileo’s book was a treat to read. The illustrations are great, colorful and fun."—Bob McGrath, “Bob” from Sesame Street

"Don't Put Yourself Down in Circus Town is a great lesson in self-confidence for children. It is also a good reminder for us parents to not beat ourselves up unnecessarily. It has great talking points as well. Thanks Dr. Frank!"—Jason Priestley, Actor, Director, Father

“Children putting themselves down is one of the hardest habits to break. Kids think their parents only think the best of them, because they are their parents, when in fact every child has the potential to accomplish anything they are willing to try hard enough in. Don’t Put Yourself Down in Circus Town is an amazing book for any parent who is sick of hearing their child call themselves stupid, dumb, weak, etc. Author Frank J. Sileo does an amazing job using circus characters to describe how no one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes we just have to practice more to get the job done. This is a book parents should have on their child’s bookshelf, no matter what age.”—Portland Book Review

"This is another important book for parents to have at home and for teachers to put on their bookshelves to help boost self-esteem in children. Well done!”
—Children’s Books Heal