Amazon When Ms. Underwood asks if anyone wants to help Kyle, Zahra always volunteers. She loves spending time with Kyle—he’s creative and generous, and he makes the funniest jokes at
Amazon Editors’ Picks: Best Books Ages 6-8 (2021)
When Ms. Underwood asks if anyone wants to help Kyle, Zahra always volunteers. She loves spending time with Kyle—he’s creative and generous, and he makes the funniest jokes at lunch. But when Zahra’s other classmates start teasing her for helping him, she starts making choices she regrets.
I Can Help is a gentle, sensitive portrayal of reaching out, facing peer pressure, and learning from past mistakes. With thoughtful storytelling and poignant illustrations, this book will open discussions about choosing kindness in the classroom and beyond.
South Dakota Library Association Prairie Bud Award PreK-1st Nominee (2023-2024)
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Beautiful and delicate details in both text and illustration situate readers physically in the school’s art classroom and autumnal playground, mentally in Zahra’s world full of special cooking spices like cumin and turmeric, and emotionally in her hesitation and growth. . . . An illuminating glimpse into how a young child learns to trust her instinct and be kind to others.”
Publishers Weekly
“Faruqi gives careful attention to all of the emotions Zahra feels, the better for readers to identify them in their own experience. Prevost contributes smudgy, muted tone images of sweet-faced, dot-eyed children of varying skin tones whose expressions are easy to read. Readers may recognize times when they felt as Zahra does—and vow to do better.”
Booklist (starred review)
“From the author of Lailah’s Lunchbox (2015) and Amira’s Picture Day (2021), this perceptive picture book could lead to discussions about handling peer pressure, dealing with ethical predicaments, and learning from one’s mistakes.”
School Library Journal
“Lessons about kindness, regret, and making amends are all here without being the least bit didactic. An excellent conversation starter for any adults who work with groups of children.”
The Horn Book Magazine
“The strength-based representation of a child with a disability is welcome; Kyle is a whole person with some challenges but many gifts.”
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Reem Faruqi based
I Can Help on a similar experience from her childhood. She is also the author of
Lailah's Lunchbox (Tilbury) and the upcoming
Amira's Picture Day (Holiday House) and
Unsettled (HarperCollins).
Lailah's Lunchbox, her debut, was named an ALA Notable Book and received many other honors. Reem lives in Georgia. Visit her website at
reemfaruqi.com or follow her on Twitter
@ReemFaruqi.
Mikela Prevost is the author and illustrator of
Let's Have a Dog Party! (Viking/Penguin). She has an MFA in illustration from California State University, Fullerton, and her art has been recognized by SCBWI and the Society of Illustrators. Her illustrations for
I Can Help were inspired by her time as a classroom teacher. Mikela lives in Arizona. Visit her website at
mikelaprevost.com or follow her on Instagram @mikelaprevost.
View Biographical note
