"I'm so thirsty, said the skunk.
Have a drink,
said the stream.
I'm so lonely, said the crab.
Come and join us, said the fish."
As the sun rises, a small girl plays in sand on the beach. A lone leaf floats nearby, expressing fear at its predicament. A tree reminds the leaf it is not alone. As the child takes note of all that is happening around her, other statements are made by one thing and allayed by another. The wind will lift a tiny bird afraid of flight. The sun will warm a chilly horse. A nut will feed a hungry squirrel.
The call and response format offers assurance for young readers that things are going to be okay. Matt James uses bold colors and powerful spreads, created with his signature acrylic paints, to further enhance those feelings. The child is ever-present, discovering the many ways that nature is a generous companion. The worries are real, the needs are obvious, the solutions are quite lovely.
After a long day of observation and travel, the child has a concern of her own; she is very tired. The moon offers solace. What are you doing for others?
In an author's note, Ms. Daniel explains that we all 'need each other for support and survival'.
"We are better and stronger together, which is why
it's important we take care of our planet and each
other. We are all one big family."
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