Sit Still. Be Quiet.A Wiggle-Friendly™ bookA storytime read-aloud that actually quiets the room — by letting it move first.
You know the kid. Front row. Wiggly. Doing their best. Sit Still. Be Quiet. turns that kid into the protagonist — and gives the whole circle a tool to use together. It's an easy add to any SEL, feelings, or sensory-friendly storytime collection.
Three reasons librarians keep recommending it.
- Storytime-tested rhythm. Bold refrains, page-turn momentum, and a built-in movement break — kids stay with you.
- Inclusive illustration. The classroom spread shows kids of varied skin tones, abilities, and a child who uses a wheelchair — joining in, not watching.
- Fills a real collection gap. Most "calm down" books bypass the activation stage. This one centers it — useful for sensory storytimes, neurodiversity displays, and family programming.
Five ways to use it in your library this season.
Wiggle-Friendly Storytime
Build a sensory-friendly storytime around it. Open with this book. Lead the Dinosaur Stomp. Read a quieter book second.
SEL display
Pair with The Way I Feel (Cain), Listening to My Body (Garcia), I Am Peace (Verde), and Wiggle (Cronin).
Back-to-school programming
Use during the first weeks of school for any storytime serving K–2.
Family literacy nights
Read it together with adults in the room. Hand out a one-page Dinosaur Stomp guide for home use.
Outreach to schools & daycares
A book paired with an activity travels well. Bring it to classrooms with a 10-minute storytime + Dinosaur Stomp combo.
Author visit / virtual program
Mr. Twisty performs school assemblies and library programs. Booking info →
For your record.
Title: Sit Still. Be Quiet. — A Wiggle-Friendly Picture Book About Big Energy, Self-Regulation, and Learning to Focus
Subtitle: A Social Emotional Learning Picture Book for Self-Regulation, Focus Skills, Emotional Control, Classroom Movement Breaks, and High-Energy Kids
Author: Chad Currin (Mr. Twisty)
Format: Paperback & Kindle (KDP / IngramSpark distributed)
Audience: Children, ages 4–9 · Parents · Educators
Genre / classification: Juvenile fiction; Social emotional learning; Self-regulation; Picture book
Suggested subject headings (LCSH-style):
Self-control — Juvenile fiction Behavior — Juvenile fiction Emotions — Juvenile fiction Attention — Juvenile fiction Dinosaurs — Juvenile fiction Schools — Juvenile fiction Social-emotional learning Sensory processing ADHD Picture books for children
For an InfoSoup or MARC-friendly metadata block, use the contact form.
How to add it to your collection.
Available wholesale via IngramSpark for most library vendors. For purchase orders or to confirm availability through your distributor, please request "Sit Still. Be Quiet." by Chad Currin. Direct retail purchase via Amazon and Walmart for evaluation copies.
The next storytime favorite.
Children laugh in the right places. Caregivers cry in the right places. Everybody dances at the end.
Order a copyThe one-page lesson guide
The lesson, talk-about-it questions, words to notice and the Dinosaur Stomp steps on one printable page. Ready for circle time, a K–3 morning meeting, or library storytime.
⬇ Download the free guide (PDF)Read-aloud permission: Teachers, librarians and caregivers are welcome to read Sit Still. Be Quiet. aloud in classrooms, storytimes and live or virtual library programs. Please don't post full recordings online.
Who wrote itMeet Mr. Twisty
Chad Currin, better known as Mr. Twisty, is the son of an elementary school librarian and grew up in libraries. Today he's a storyteller and comedy magician who performs for kids at schools, libraries and festivals. He has watched thousands of wiggly kids up close, and he wrote this book for them.
🎩 Book Mr. Twisty for a visitThe Oliver & Penny series
Three true stories about Mr. Twisty's real dogs. The dogs never talk, so kids read their ears, tails and bodies to figure out how they feel.
Raised in a library
Mr. Twisty (Chad Currin) is the son of an elementary school librarian. He grew up in libraries: reading stories, writing stories, reshelving books, and taking in everything a library had to offer. He has loved telling stories ever since.
On stage, his magic illustrates the stories he tells. His books are the stories that come from the rest of his life: the morning walks, the dogs, and the kids he meets along the way.
Magic on the stage. Stories on the page.