The Chicago Cubs’ pitchers and catchers will report to Mesa in just two short weeks. Time flies, right? Brett has some thoughts on the upcoming report date for the Cubs, and I’ll include those in the bullets below, but today’s top shelf is reserved for other Cubs reading.

Bleacher Nation’s very own Michael Cerami can now add “author” to his list of accomplishments with the upcoming release of his new children’s book, announced today!

I’ll let Michael describe it more, but congratulations are in order, and you should definitely consider pre-ordering your copy of ‘My First Trip to the Bleachers: Big Feelings at the Cubs Game’ today!

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You guys. I have been waiting for this moment for over a year. I almost can’t believe it’s finally here. Deep breath, and here it goes: I WROTE A CHILDREN’S BOOK FOR CUBS FANS! My first book ever. It’s called “My First Trip to the Bleachers: Big Feelings at the Cubs Game.” And it’s finally available for pre-sale. You can get your copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org.

The story is about a little boy (inspired by my son, Leo!) who gets surprised with a trip to his very first Cubs game. And it follows his journey from getting the tickets, to being stuck in traffic on the way downtown, to reaching his seats, experiencing “the troughs” for the first time, making friends in the bleachers, getting nervous about the game, eating snacks, throwing the other team’s home run balls back on the field, singing Go, Cubs, Go! (spoiler alert), and so much more!

The primary intention of this book, of course, is to entertain any little one in your life. With a three-year-old and an almost-one-year-old of my own, I know these stories and illustrations need to keep their attention from start to finish. But it’s also to prepare them for the emotional and sensory roller coaster of an experience like going to Wrigley Field for the very first time.

This book explores all of those feelings and senses (joy, anxiety, pride, community, disgust, hunger, boredom, etc.) so that when you finally take your kids, nieces, nephews, etc., they might know what to expect!

More specifically, I took a lesson from the world of Mr. Rogers (via Daniel Tiger … the parents out there know what I’m talking about), who wisely sang: When we do something new, let’s talk about what you’ll do!

When you talk about what your kids can expect from a new experience, it can help reduce anxiety and fear, build confidence, and set goals. We’ve done this a bunch with our kids for the dentist or the movie theater, and it makes a huge difference.

I am hopeful that this book can do the same for you and the kids in your life.

Pre-Order — My First Trip to the Bleachers: Big Feelings at the Cubs Game!

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