Published: 2022
Author: Randy Casciano | Illustrator: Bijan Samaddar
Genre: Children’s Picture Book / Humorous Fiction
Audience: Pre-K–Grade 3
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆
Goodreads/Amazon Link: I Stepped in Something
Themes: Friendship, Resilience, Mindful Presence, Pet Companionship.
Publisher’s Summary
A wonderful children’s picture book about a boy and his dog, Harlee, who go for an adventurous walk. Along the way, they step into several mysterious, messy situations that keep the reader guessing exactly what or whom may have left them behind. Regardless of the sticky, gooey trouble the boy’s feet land in, having a loyal, four-legged friend by his side is all he truly needs. Through clever rhymes and humorous twists, young readers will be thoroughly captivated by this beautifully illustrated, fun visual journey.
Full Review
This is an incredibly cute picture book that is a perfect fit for any student at the elementary level. The plot centers around a simple, highly relatable dilemma: a young boy wants to enjoy a peaceful walk with his dog, Harlee, but his feet keep finding every sticky, gooey, and messy obstacle in their path.
What makes the book shine is its simple, rhythmic reading style and its heartwarming perspective shift. At the end of the story, the main character concludes: “The next time I step in something, I will just let it be. I will be fine if I have Harlee with me.” The underlying moral is beautifully clear—no matter what small frustrations happen, or how dirty you get, it doesn’t matter if you are spending quality time with your best friend. It highlights the importance of staying present in the moment and prioritizing fun over perfection. Anyone who has ever braved a muddy dog park can deeply appreciate the sweet, kind-hearted nature of this story. It makes for an excellent addition to any home, school, or local library collection—especially as a showcase for a wonderful local author!
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- Social-Emotional Learning (Mindfulness & Coping Skills):
- Activity Idea: “Let it Be” Anchor Chart. The boy decides not to let a ruined pair of shoes spoil his afternoon. Brainstorm a list of “small messes” or minor accidents that happen in school (e.g., spilling water, dropping a pencil box, tearing a paper). Discuss how students can use the boy’s mindset to “let it be” and keep their day on a positive track.
- ELA & Early Literacy (Rhyme & Predictable Texts):
- Activity Idea: “What Did I Step In?” Capitalize on the book’s mystery element. Before turning the page to reveal each new mess, have students use the rhythmic rhyming clues to guess what the character stepped in. This builds phonemic awareness and inference skills.
- Sensory Exploration & Science (Descriptive Language):
- Activity Idea: Sensory Adjective Matching. The book describes items that are sticky, gooey, or yucky. Fill sensory bags or bins with different textures (e.g., slime, wet sand, shaving cream). Have students plunge their hands in and match the tactile sensation to the vocabulary words used in the story.
- Art & Community Connection (Local Spotlights):
- Activity Idea: Because this book highlights the work of a local creator, have students design a picture book cover about an adventure they took with their own real or imaginary pet, modeling it after Casciano’s fun, visual style.
