Up to Speed
The slow season is over, and all of Rubberdale is roaring back to life for the Derby. Suddenly there is a whole new schedule, new rules, and a routine that is nothing like the one you knew. It is a lot, all at once, and it is different. So where do you even start?
About This Story
What your child will experience
In Up to Speed, your child pilots one of the Rubberdale racers as the Derby season kicks back into gear — bringing new schedules, new rules, and a familiar routine that has quietly shifted. The story puts your child in the middle of that "too much, all at once" feeling and walks alongside their character as they find small ways to settle in.
Choices shape how the character responds: whether to push through, ask for help, observe before jumping in, or let a big feeling out before moving forward. Every path lands on still figuring it out — not suddenly good at the new way, and that is the point.
Why this approach helps
This story is built around transition adjustment and emotional regulation — the real challenge of "new" that isn't bad, just unfamiliar. Each character's coping style mirrors a different way children genuinely respond to change (needing structure, resisting rules, wanting to watch first). Over time, revisiting stories like this builds emotional vocabulary and the quiet confidence that hard starts do pass.
The approach draws on CBT-style ideas: noticing what stayed the same, taking one small step, and talking through the next move rather than freezing.
What to notice as a parent
Which character your child picks can hint at how they experience transitions themselves — do they crave control of the sequence, hate waiting, or need to watch before joining?
Choices around asking Boris for help may signal how comfortable your child is seeking support when overwhelmed. A gentle follow-up: "Is there a Boris in your life you could ask?"
If your child replays the story with different choices, that exploration is healthy — low-stakes practice for thinking through options.
Personalize This Story
Make this story truly special by adding these details:
- ✓Pick a racer.
Story Questions
Questions your child may be asked while creating this story:
- What was the first thing the main character thought?
- What did the main character feel?
- What stayed the same that the main character could hold onto?
- How did the main character start easing into the new way?
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