Friday the 13th – Mom Read It

Don’t Be Mean to 13, by Douglas Harris/Illustrated by Robyn E. Blumner, (Oct. 2023, Label Free Publishing LLC), $12.95, ISBN: 978-1952843136

Ages 4-8

I’ve always gotten a kick out of Friday the 13th, but I get that it’s a real phobia for some people. Harris and Blumner mean to help folks get past that fear with this informative and fun book that dives into triskaidekaphobia, or the fear of the number 13. Our narrator is a kid who introduces us to their friend, 13, illustrated as an adorable black fluff with googly eyes and a big smile. They’re cuddly and affectionate, and seem to be pretty horrified that folks would be afraid of them… or their buddy, Friday, shown as a bright red sphere with a “FRI” headband. The narrator discusses triskaidekaphobia and friggatriskaidekaphobia, the fear of 13’s friend, Friday and works on quelling fear through education: some think the fear of the 13th comes from Norse mythology; others, from ancient cultures. A conversational tone paired with sweet illustrations of a friendly fluff who wouldn’t hurt a fly ease readers into confronting fears, but Harris leaves room for growth by acknowledging that just one book may not be enough. A good addition to consider for collections.

What better way to greet a Friday the 13th than with a specially created Warren the 13th story just for you?

Readers met Warren the 13th in his first adventure, Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye, in late 2015. The story is a little bit steampunk and a lot of fun as we meet Warren, an orphan working in his family’s hotel and trying to thwart his evil aunt and clueless uncle. Warren’s second adventure, Warren the 13th and the Whispering Woods, will be hitting shelves in March, but author Tania del Rio couldn’t let a Friday the 13th go by unnoticed! She’s created a special short story, celebrating Warren’s unlucky day on Friday the 13th, and you can enjoy it right now, along with additional activities! The booklet is available for download on Scribd, absolutely free.

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