I love this book! Basically a take on the “bull in a china shop” idiom, Clovis the bull takes over his Granny’s china shop. Although he finds himself much calmer running the tea shop than he did when he used to play football, some former opponents make fun of him for his new vocation. He uses various techniques to curb his anger at being bullied, such as breathing exercises and cuddling his cat, but when the bullies break his granny’s favourite tea cup Clovis finally loses his cool. The last second before charging into the antagonists, a tea bag dangling in his face reminds him of his granny’s words that broken things can be fixed. With these words in his heart, Clovis invites the bullies over for tea and they work together to clean up the china shop.

Aside from the play on the bull on the china shop idiom, I also really liked the concrete examples given for dealing with big feelings. I know from personal experience that cuddling my cat or dog makes me feel better, and I really want to try breathing exercises more! Although I can’t say I’d ever want to invite bullies over to my house to share a hot beverage, I suppose it is an option! Regardless, I really like this story and enjoyed reading it to my library classes today!