Know how to start
Use practical scripts for introductions, apologies, asking for help, expressing sympathy, and speaking up respectfully.
What Can I Say? The Social Skills Guide Kids Need When Words Are Hard
What Can I Say? The Social Skills Guide Kids Need When Words Are Hard
✓Give them ready-to-use words for awkward, emotional, or unfamiliar social moments.
✓Build friendship skills through listening, empathy, inclusion, and healthy boundaries.
✓Prepare them for bullying, gossip, and peer pressure with calm, practical scripts.
Regular price
$34.99
Regular price
$34.99
Sale price
$59.99
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What Can I Say? The Social Skills Guide Kids Need When Words Are Hard
Regular price
$34.99
Regular price
$34.99
Sale price
$59.99
Unit price
per
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3–5 business days · Delivering to United States
Real words for difficult moments
Help them find their voice before they need it
Friendly scripts and graphic-style examples help kids ages 10 and up communicate clearly, build healthy friendships, and navigate awkward situations.
Listen, include, and set boundaries
Practice empathy, inclusion, trust, thoughtful advice, and the skills that help relationships feel safer and stronger.
Respond with confidence
Prepare for bullying, gossip, peer pressure, and offensive comments with calm language children can actually remember.
What is inside
The hardest part of growing up is not always knowing what to say.
Your child wants to join the conversation, but freezes.
A friend says something hurtful, but they do not know how to respond. Someone is being excluded, but they are afraid to speak up. They need help, but cannot find the words to ask.
These moments may seem small to adults. To a child, they can shape friendships, confidence, and whether they feel understood.
What Can I Say? by Catherine Newman gives children ages 10 and up practical words for the social situations they face at school, at home, and around friends.
Your child will learn how to:
- Start and continue conversations
- Listen thoughtfully and show genuine interest
- Stand up for themselves respectfully
- Respond to bullying and offensive comments
- Include others and become a better friend
- Express sympathy when someone is hurting
- Give advice without making things worse
- Talk about uncomfortable or sensitive subjects
- Set boundaries and communicate more clearly
- Become someone others can trust
Real words for real situations
Instead of offering vague advice like “just be confident,” this supportive guide provides accessible scripts children can use when they are unsure what to say.
Humorous graphic illustrations bring familiar situations to life, while Catherine Newman’s friendly guidance helps young readers understand how their words can show confidence, empathy, care, and respect.
Help them find their voice before they need it.
You cannot stand beside your child during every awkward conversation, disagreement, or difficult moment. But you can give them words they can carry into those moments themselves.
Give your child a practical guide for speaking clearly, connecting confidently, and handling the conversations that come with growing up.
A New York Times bestselling social skills guide for children ages 10 and up.
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Is this the right guide for your family?
For kids who have something to say but cannot find the words.
Friendly scripts and illustrated situations offer a starting point for introductions, apologies, friendship challenges, and speaking up.
A few questions before you choose
What age is this suitable for?
What Can I Say? is intended for ages 10 and up, especially children navigating middle-school friendships and communication.
Does it give examples of what to say?
Yes. It includes practical scripts and guidance for situations such as introductions, apologies, asking for help, expressing sympathy, and speaking up.
Is this only for shy children?
No. Listening, inclusion, boundaries, and thoughtful communication are useful for outgoing children too. Choose the topics that match your child’s needs.
What topics should parents know about?
Alongside friendship and communication, the book discusses bullying, offensive comments, pronouns, inclusion, and asking someone out. Parents can preview topics and discuss them with their child.
Find the guide for the moment you’re in
| Guide | Who it’s for | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| The Parent You Aspire to Be | Parents & caregivers | Calmer responses and emotional connection |
| Murphy’s Law for Kids | Children reading with a parent | Judgment, assumptions, and everyday choices |
| Street Smart Kids | Ages 6–15 | Safety, personal boundaries, and asking for help |
| Investing for Kids | Ages 8–12 | Saving, investing, risk, and reward |
| What Can I Say?You’re viewing this | Ages 10+ | Friendships, speaking up, and difficult conversations |
What families are saying
Real parents. Real conversations.
4.5·1,743 reviews
Stephanie Walsh
My daughter always thinks of what she wanted to say after she gets home. Then we talk about it while I’m making dinner. I bought this because ‘just speak up’ clearly wasn’t very helpful advice from me.
Rebecca Hamilton
We’ve been reading together and trying out what we might say. Sometimes it gets silly, but I think that helps. She’s more willing to talk when it doesn’t feel like a serious lesson.
Jasmine Robinson
Bought it for my quieter child. She has plenty to say at home, but around other people she worries about getting it wrong. It’s been nice to talk about that without putting her on the spot.
Maya Campbell
My son is very direct and doesn’t always understand why someone got upset. Reading together has brought up some interesting conversations about how the same words can sound different to different people.
Alyssa Richardson
Not finished yet, but my daughter has already brought it over to me twice to talk about something. Usually I’m the one trying to start those conversations, so that felt good.
Claire Dawson
I wish I’d had more help with this growing up. Even now, I sometimes agree to things because saying no feels awkward. Reading with my daughter has given both of us something to think about.
Your experience matters
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