When Auggie Learned to Play Chess
When Auggie Learned to Play Chess by Meredith Rusu is a heartfelt picture book published by Random House on September 9, 2025. This 48-page edition is presented in English and follows the journey of a shy boy named Auggie as he learns to play chess with his father, which ultimately helps him gain the confidence to make new friends in a new town.
Readers will discover how Auggie’s experience with chess not only enhances his skills in the game but also aids in his social development. As he practices with his dad, Auggie transforms from feeling like a tiny pawn in a big school to taking the initiative to teach another boy, Luke, how to play. This story explores themes of family life, friendship, and the importance of social skills, illustrating how activities like chess can foster connections and ease the challenges of growing up.
Official synopsis Publisher
In this heartfelt picture book, a shy kid’s dad teaches him how to play chess… and chess gives him the confidence to make a new friend.
When Auggie finds an old chessboard that once belonged to his grandfather, he decides he wants to learn how to play chess. And his dad, his Tatâ, is happy to teach him.
They’ve just moved to a new town, and Auggie is struggling to make friends at his new school. In the big, busy hallways, he feels like a tiny pawn. But after every hard day at school, he can’t wait to play chess with his dad. Slowly, slowly, he gets better at the game… until he can beat Tata!
Then, Auggie finds a chessboard in his classroom. When he sees that another boy looks interested in it, he knows just what to do: he can teach Luke how to play chess, too!
Here is a moving father-son story that shows how chess helps one boy feel at home in a new environment.
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