A Children’s Picture Book by Melissa Sullivan-Noonan
Age Range: 6–9
Word Count: ~1,100
Illustrated Picture Book
Hook:
In the hush of the forest lives Bluff, a gentle Bigfoot who carries an invisible backpack of what-ifs. When he meets Avery, a loud boy who sees right through his hiding, Bluff begins to unpack his worries and discover the courage to step forward.
Illustrator Notes
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Forest setting inspired by the Pacific Northwest: soft fog, dappled light, moss-covered rocks.
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Bluff: Large, gentle Bigfoot with fur like a fuzzy mood ring that changes color with emotion.
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Repeated motifs: moss earmuffs, invisible backpack, toe-pulled footsteps.
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Avery: Loud, expressive boy with untamed hair, mismatched clothes, constant motion.
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Emotional metaphors (backpack, what-if weights, footprints) visualized literally but softly.
Story Summary
Bluff is big, quiet, and very good at hiding. He tiptoes with curled toes, muffles the world with moss earmuffs, and shoulders an invisible backpack weighed down with endless what-ifs.
Then comes Avery, an expressive boy with wild hair and big feelings, who sees Bluff not as a legend, but as a friend.
Together, they journey through the forest, meeting animal friends who teach them ways to breathe, laugh, name feelings, and let go of hidden worries. One by one, Bluff releases his what-ifs until he no longer needs to hide his footsteps.
Calling Bluff is a tender, metaphor-rich story about anxiety, self-acceptance, and the power of connection.
Themes & SEL Connections
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Anxiety & Worry – Represented through Bluff’s invisible backpack of what-ifs
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Emotional Regulation – Breathing with Bear, naming with Porcupine, moving with Rabbit
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Friendship & Trust – Avery’s encouragement helps Bluff step into the open
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Self-Acceptance – From hiding footprints to walking proudly forward
Comparable Titles
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The Invisible Boy (Scholastic, 2013) – Explores themes of invisibility, belonging, and friendship.
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Ruby Finds a Worry (Bloomsbury, 2019) – A child-friendly metaphor for managing anxiety.
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After the Fall (Roaring Brook Press, 2017) – A story about facing fears and finding resilience.
