According to various studies* low self-esteem in children tends to be related to either physical punishment and/or withholding of love and affection by parents and only receive positive attention from authority figures (such as parents) when they act in a certain way. This reinforces to the child that they are only a person of value when they act a certain way (e.g. achieving A grades on a test).

Children with low self-esteem rely on coping strategies that are counterproductive such as bullying, quitting, cheating, avoiding etc.

Children with low self-esteem are often withdrawn or shy, and find it difficult to have fun. They avoid trying new things (for fear of failure) and will give up easily.

* McLeod, S. A. (2012). Low Self Esteem. Retrieved from simplypsychology.org

My new book The King of Average addresses issues that many children face if they come from a background of chronic unfair punishment or parents who withhold affection (for whatever reasons) or parents with unreasonably high expectations and conditional love. To some degree that’s all of
us at one time or another. And that’s why The King of Average will resonate with children and adults.
What James, our young hero aspires to, without knowing it is the presence of a benevolent, powerful father.
Without ever knowing a father, his ultimate fantasy authority figure is a King.

He is armed with the childhood graces of optimism, in the form of M. Roget, the French optimist and his sour companion Kiljoy the pessimist. He is also excused from guilt by a talking goat named Mayor Culpa whose job it is to shoulder the blame he would normally place on himself.
These elements allow James to journey into the Realm of Possibility to discover his true nature and escape his negative conditioning personified by a cruel and malevolent shadow-self.

That being said, the main thrust of the story is one of humor and friendship because that was the path I took as a boy to escape the oppression of my childhood love deficits.