So I tried the books, and it totally didn't help. She just threw them at her sisters behind her (at least they were soft though, right? ) So I reclined the captains chair just a tad, so that her feet weren't resting almost on top of the head rest (the seat was straight up, and now its slightly reclined) My 4yr old rides right behind her and still can't touch the seat with her feet, so I know its not too reclined. If you want I can take some pictures and post. I'm just wondering if its ok for the seat to be like that. She didn't complain in the car, and is riding in an evenflo triumph advance