Come with Me
by Holly M McGhee (Author) Pascal Lemaitre (Illustrator)
"Together, the words and pictures work seamlessly to deliver a powerful message: What we do matters."--R. J. Palacio, The New York Times
When the news reports are flooded with tales of hatred and fear, a girl asks her papa what she can do to make the world a better place. "Come with me," he says. Hand-in-hand, they walk to the subway, tipping their hats to those they meet. The next day, the girl asks her mama what she can do--her mama says, "Come with me," and together they set out for the grocery, because one person doesn't represent an entire race or the people of a land. After dinner that night, the little girl asks if she can do something of her own--walk the dog . . . and her parents let her go. "Come with me," the girl tells the boy across the hall. Walking together, one step at a time, the girl and the boy begin to see that as small and insignificant as their part may seem, it matters to the world.
In this lyrical and timely story, author Holly M. McGhee and illustrator Pascal Lemaître champion the power of kindness, bravery, and friendship in the face of uncertainty.
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Publishers Weekly
In the wake of so much news about "anger and hatred--/ People against people," a girl asks her parents what she can do to help the world. "Come with me," each tells her, a simple phrase that McGhee (Matylda, Bright and Tender) transforms into an emotionally rich proclamation about not giving into fear. When the girl and her father ride the subway, a tense mood prevails; commuters are giving each other anxious glances. But the two tip their hats in greeting to their fellow passengers and know that their ride has "won a tiny battle/ over fear." Next, the girl and her mother make a point of shopping at the grocery store in their multicultural neighborhood, "because one person/ doesn't represent a family/ or a race/ or the people of a land." By the final page, the girl feels reassured enough to extend the title's invitation to readers. Lemaitre's (You Are the Pea, and I Am the Carrot) ink-and-watercolor cartoons resonate with a sweet plaintiveness, and while the brief text can sometimes turn overly earnest, it feels like an important first step. Ages 5-8. Agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. (Sept.)
Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
K-Gr 2--Sweet pastel illustrations are the highlight of this story that has potential but may be more confusing to children than confidence-building. A young girl is fearful due to the "anger and hatred--people against people" that she watches on the nightly news. After inquiring what "she could do to make the world a better place," Papa says, "Come with me." They take a ride on the subway, tip their hats to people they encounter, and make their way to their destination. The text states "The girl and her papa were brave and kind, and that day won a tiny battle over fear for themselves and for the people of the world." That sort of impassioned language to describe seemingly ordinary actions will require more explanation than the book provides. Still wanting to make a difference, the girl asks to walk their dog. Her parents appear concerned about letting their daughter go, but she and a neighbor boy venture out and "their part mattered to the world." Though the parents seem anxious about their child's safety, they allow her to watch disturbing incidents on TV with no supervision or discussion. VERDICT Teaching children that they can make a difference by being "brave, gentle, strong -- and kind" in their daily lives is a powerful message. This title could be used with others to spark those important discussions with children and adults.--Maryann H. Owen, Children's Literature Specialist, Mt. Pleasant, WI
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
A 2018 Finalist for the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award - Picture Book
A 2018 Anna Dewdney Read Together Honor Book
"Together, the words and pictures work seamlessly to deliver a powerful message: What we do matters."—R. J. Palacio, The New York Times "This lovely picture book . . . offers smaller children a gentle, encouraging, age-appropriate response to disturbing news reports."—The New York Times "Inspired by the 9/11 attacks in the States and the bombings in Brussels in early 2017, this book tackles a tough subject with honesty, gentleness, and a call to action. Let's all try to do the same."—Publishers Weekly ShelfTalker "[A]n emotionally rich proclamation about not giving into fear."—Publishers Weekly "Teaching children that they can make a difference by being 'brave, gentle, strong - and kind' in their daily lives is a powerful message. This title could be used with others to spark those important discussions with children and adults."—School Library Journal
JUV023000 - Juvenile Fiction | Lifestyles | City & Town Life
JUV030000 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | General
Parent and child
Conduct of life
Toleration
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Emotions &
Compassion
Racially mixed families
