A Little Stuck

What the Story is About

Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree. Naturally, he wants to get it down. But what he does next is anything but natural—he throws up his shoe to dislodge it… and the shoe gets stuck, too. Then comes a cat (really!), a ladder, a bucket of paint—all unimaginable things. Everything gets stuck.

This playful, slightly absurd story makes children giggle while quietly inviting them to reflect on what it means to try again… even if your way of trying is a little sideways.

Why This Book Matters

Children don't always go about solving problems in the most logical way. And honestly, neither do adults. A Little Stuck offers a delightful mirror to this tendency—how we sometimes react to problems with more panic than pause.

The book's beauty is in its tone: gentle, silly, non-judgmental. Floyd isn't made fun of. He's just doing his best in his own way. That opens up room for discussions about trying different strategies, asking for help, or simply taking a breath.

Let's Talk About the Illustrations

Jeffers' art feels hand-drawn and spontaneous—almost like a child's drawing but full of clever detail. The growing pile in the tree can be a visual entry point for kids to observe what gets added and laugh at the absurdity.

Ask children to look closely: what do they notice about Floyd's expressions? The calm tree? The wild solutions? There's always more happening in the images than the words suggest.

Deeper Reflections for the Teacher

At its heart, this is a story about being stuck—something every child (and teacher) has felt. The "stuckness" might involve solving a math problem, making a new friend, or calming down when upset.

Floyd's way out isn't conventional, but it's creative—and that opens the door to discussing how problem-solving doesn't always follow one path.

Some children might even relate to Floyd's determined (and a little frantic) way of solving things. That's okay. This book allows us to talk without blame or shame.

Reflection Questions for Children

Here are some gentle prompts to help children explore their thoughts:

• For Ages 4–6

  • Have you ever gotten something stuck? What did you do?

  • What do you think Floyd could have tried instead?

  • Which thing that Floyd threw made you laugh the most?

• For Ages 6–8

  • Why do you think Floyd didn't ask anyone for help?

  • Have you ever repeatedly tried new ways to solve something, even when it didn't work?

  • What would you do differently if you were Floyd?

Activities and Extensions

1. "What Would You Throw?" Game

Let children imagine what they might throw if they were Floyd—then draw it. The sillier, the better.

(Helps with divergent thinking and emotional release through play)

2. Problem-Solving Circle

Bring a small classroom problem (e.g., pencils always go missing) and ask:

"What would Floyd do?"

"What would you do?"

(Helps with collaborative thinking and creative problem solving)

3. Mime "Stuck" Situations

Ask children to act out everyday moments when they feel "stuck" (can't solve a math problem, forget homework, etc.). Others guess and offer solutions.

(Helps with empathy, perspective-taking, and expressing emotions)

Closing Thought for the Teacher

This book isn't just about kites or trees or fire trucks. It's about those moments when we all feel a little stuck and don't know what to do next. By reading it together, we can remind children—and ourselves—that even when our first idea doesn't work, there's always another way.

Sometimes, it just takes a little pause. Or a lot of cats.