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PICTURE BOOKS
Faruqi, Reem

I Can Help

40 pp. | Eerdmans | August, 2021 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8028-5504-6 $17.99
(2) K-3 Illustrated by Mikela Prevost. Zahra's classmate Kyle struggles with reading and penmanship (and other fine motor tasks), and he sits on a large ball, instead of a chair like the other students. When their teacher asks for someone to help Kyle, Zahra always volunteers, because Kyle is generous and kind and she enjoys spending time with him. Then a group of classmates starts picking on her about it. She caves to peer pressure, avoids contact with Kyle, and refuses to help, telling him to "do it yourself!" Zahra later moves to a new school without ever having apologized to Kyle or ­making amends, and she is haunted by her actions (à la Woodson and Lewis's Each Kindness, rev. 1/13). She decides from then on to be the kind of person who is helpful, and reaches out to a new classmate in need of assistance. Mixed-media illustrations home in on facial expressions, ranging from openness to disapproval to delight. The strength-based representation of a child with a disability is welcome; Kyle is a whole person with some challenges but many gifts. Author and illustrator notes delve into the autobiographical roots of the story and reinforce the message that "being kind is always the right decision."
Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

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