ONE CAN

Child-friendly lessons in interdependence.

The pale-skinned, dark-haired young narrator attends a diverse school with a communal ethos. A “mitten tree” makes these accessories available for those in need, though the protagonist sticks with a too-small blue pair (they “make the best snowballs”), and the students are involved with a food drive. The youngster’s class’s goal is to place one can on each of the 100 squares on a numbered carpet. The child contributes a favorite can of noodles, despite Mom’s warning that she might not be able to replace it. That can is number 100; everyone cheers, and the teacher affixes a snowflake sticker. Days later, Mom comes home with a pair of bigger red mittens from the tree and a can of the noodles, bearing that snowflake sticker. “Are we the people in need?” the narrator asks. Mom gently explains that they get help when they need it and give when they have something extra. Later, the child puts the beloved blue mittens on the donation tree, with a personal note. This simple yet brilliant explanation of mutual aid is illustrated in confident fine lines and soft but bright color against minimalist backgrounds. The text is finely tuned to a child’s understanding, avoiding condescension or the implication that young people should feel shame at requiring assistance (or superiority at having the privilege to give); the focus is on considering what the recipient needs—and what we can give.

A perfectly calibrated introduction to the concept of economic differences.