ONE CAN BE

Making a change for the better often starts with a single person.

A brown-skinned child with hair in a bun enjoys spending time alone reading books, painting, and generally being solitary. (“One. / Alone. / No one else nearby. // One. / Needs peace. / Sometimes.”) After recharging in the garden (a place where “one can breathe. / And grow”), the youngster is drawn to a group of diverse kids playing at the park across the street and hesitantly decides to forge new connections. The young people bond, and soon the child shares plans to build a Little Free Library in the neighborhood. The protagonist’s solo efforts haven’t panned out, but with a little elbow grease and teamwork, everyone works together to make their community a better place. Zietlow Miller has crafted a sensitive tale that depicts a young introvert striking a balance between finding time for solitude and reaching out to others. The use of short, staccato sentences gives readers an opportunity to slow down and sit with the words, which ably capture the protagonist’s quiet yet determined voice. Cron’s retro-style illustrations, with their bright, washed-out pinks and greens and some spreads set against stark white backgrounds, convey feelings of serenity and optimism.

An empathetic tale that proves anyone can make a difference.