Every classroom has a Rory.
A first-day-of-school story that helps young learners breathe through frustration, solve problems, ask for help, and try again. Built for classrooms, counselors, and SEL programs.
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Meet Rory
Starting school can bring big feelings—even when you're excited to be there.
In LiL Rory's Shoes Are Backwards, Rory is ready for a new school day, but something isn't going quite right. What starts as a simple problem becomes an opportunity to practice something every child needs to learn: how to pause, breathe, ask for help, and keep going when things don't work the way we hoped.
Rory's experience gives young learners a character they can recognize in themselves—and gives the adults around them a simple, shared language for talking about frustration, mistakes, confidence, and perseverance.
The goal isn't to get everything right the first time. It's learning what to do when you don't.
The Story
LiL Rory’s Shoes Are Backward follows Rory on his first day of school. Excited to be a “big boy,” Rory gets dressed by himself—but he puts his shoes on the wrong feet. His sister, dad, and mom each point it out, but Rory becomes frustrated and insists that he doesn't need help. LiL Rory's Shoes Are Backward … LiL Rory's Shoes Are Backward … LiL Rory's Shoes Are Backward … LiL Rory's Shoes Are Backward …
At school, Rory enjoys learning and participates in a classroom meditation activity where his teacher teaches the children to breathe slowly to feel calm and quiet inside. After meditation, the class gets ready to put their shoes back on. Rory discovers that he is still unsure which shoe belongs on which foot. LiL Rory's Shoes Are Backward … LiL Rory's Shoes Are Backward …
When a friend asks what's wrong, Rory stays quiet. He becomes embarrassed and overwhelmed, with tears filling his eyes. His teacher responds with patience and kindness, kneeling beside him and inviting him to take a deep breath. _LiL Rory's Shoes Are Backward …
Rory initially insists that he doesn't need help. Instead of forcing the issue, his teacher turns the moment into a playful class activity. The children toss their shoes in the air, laugh together, and learn how to match their shoes by placing the big toes together like a heart. Rory then puts his shoes on correctly by himself and proudly announces, “I did it!” _LiL Rory's Shoes Are Backward …
On the bus ride home, Rory can't wait to tell his mom what happened. When he gets home, he proudly tells her that he put his shoes on all by himself, and she celebrates him with a hug. _LiL Rory's Shoes Are Backward …
The Heart of the Story
At its core, the story shows that struggling with something doesn't mean you aren't capable. Rory learns that it's okay to feel frustrated or embarrassed, that taking a breath can help create space to think, and that accepting guidance can help us learn something new. Most importantly, his success comes from continuing to try until he figures it out.
The book closes by emphasizing three simple ideas for young readers:
BELIEVE.
BE KIND.
BE PROUD.
Free Educator Discussion Guide
Turn one story into a classroom conversation.
Get the free Educator Discussion Guide with questions and prompts designed to help young learners connect Rory's experience to their own.
Use it before, during, or after reading to explore:
Feelings • Problem-solving • Asking for help • Mistakes • Perseverance • Confidence
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Bring Rory to Your School
Classroom sets. School programs. District partnerships.
Whether you're purchasing for one classroom, an entire grade level, a counseling program, or a district initiative, school orders are available.
School and district options can support:
Individual classroom libraries
Classroom sets
Counselor and guidance programs
SEL initiatives
School-wide reading programs
Family engagement
District-wide distribution
Ready to bring Rory into your school?
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Purchase orders accepted.
Why I Wrote This
I've watched people become afraid of struggling in front of others—afraid that getting something wrong means something is wrong with them. I wanted to create a story that reminds young learners that struggling is part of learning, asking for help is a strength, and trying again is something to be proud of.
Jamel Randall
Bring Rory to Your Classroom Soon.
A first-day-of-school story can become a language children carry with them all year.
Breathe. Solve. Ask. Try Again.
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[Get the Free Educator Guide]
jamelrandall.com/schools