Play Pretty, Jack
By Josh Cassidy
Jack had lots of ability, but fear devoured his confidence. Whether his fear was of swimming or loud noises, the anxiety it produced caused Jack to miss out on a lot in life. As the son of a musician, he had learned to play guitar by the time he reached kindergarten. Jack was a natural, but once again fear kept him from shining the way God intended.
Then one day Jack’s father invited him to play in his band. Jack was speechless. Ever since he began playing guitar, he dreamed that he would one day join his father’s band on stage. But suddenly he was afraid. Will fear keep Jack from fulfilling his dream, or will he learn that not giving into fear makes one bold?
Play Pretty, Jack inspires children to be bold and not allow fear to cripple their potential. It encourages them to shine as God made them to shine and “play pretty” in whatever they do.
Jack could also swim like a dolphin, but missed the class trip to Splash N' Slide because he was petrified of the deep, choppy water of the wave pool.
“I have to at least be able to touch the bottom with my tippy-toes”, Jack would say.
Instead, he settled for simulating the experience at home, in the bathtub. Needless to say, it was not the same.
Fear causes Jack to make a lot of excuses.
Josh Cassidy has had a lifelong interest in painting and drawing, and his paintings have been purchased throughout the world. A professional musician, Josh studied elementary education and children's literature at Arizona State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He and his wife, Layza, reside in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Play Pretty, Jack is Josh’s first book. The phrase “play pretty” came from his grandfather, who taught Josh his very first chords on the guitar. Just before his grandfather died, he told Josh to “play pretty” as Josh left to lead a worship service. It struck Josh as a beautiful proclamation that no matter what you do in life to “play pretty'” and be bold.