Children's Fiction Self-esteem & Self-reliance
Thing Lou Couldn't Do, The
- Publisher
- Kids Can Press
- Initial publish date
- May 2017
- Category
- Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance, Imagination & Play, Girls & Women
- Recommended Age
- 3 to 7
- Recommended Grade
- p to 2
- Recommended Reading age
- 3 to 7
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781771387279
- Publish Date
- May 2017
- List Price
- $21.99
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
“Lou and her friends are BRAVE adventurers. They run FASTER than airplanes. They build MIGHTY fortresses. They rescue WILD animals.” But one day, when they're looking for a ship to play pirates in, Lou's friend has an idea: “Up there! The tree can be our ship!” “Ummm ...” says Lou. This is something new. Lou has never climbed a tree before, and she's sure she can't do it. So she tries to convince her friends to play a not-up-a-tree game. When that doesn't work, she comes up with reasons for not joining them --- her arm is sore, her cat needs a walk, you shouldn't climb so soon after eating. Finally, she tells herself she doesn't want to climb the tree. But is that true, or is this brave adventurer just too afraid to try?
This delightful picture book from Ashley Spires, bestselling author of The Most Magnificent Thing, perfectly depicts what children go through when confronted with something difficult. With humor and endearing artwork, Spires sensitively portrays Lou procrastinating, making excuses, imagining alternatives and denying she cares. Ultimately, Lou faces her fear, and although she fails, the effort empowers her, encouraging a growth mindset. All the while, Lou's friends model compassionate friendship by offering to teach her how to climb and then moving the game. This book makes a perfect choice for a character education discussion about courage or resilience, or a life-skills lesson on facing challenges. The story also promotes the joy of imaginative play in the outdoors.
About the author
Ashley Spires est diplômé de l'Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design. Artiste touche à tout, elle a créé des sites Internet, des livres et des marionnettes. Elle est auteure et illustratrice de plusieurs livres dont Quel génie!, la série Basile le chat de l'espace,Petit Paul, Chien recherche garçon et André est débordé. Ashley a également illustré Le Labo des malins par Shar Levine et Leslie Johnstone. Elle vit à Delta, en Colombie-Britannique.
Ashley Spires earned her BFA at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and went on to earn a graduate diploma in illustration from Sheridan College. She is also the illustrator of Binky the Space Cat. Ashley lives in British Columbia, but you can find her at www.ashleyspires.com.
Awards
- Winner, Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College
- Short-listed, Rainforest of Reading Award, OneWorld Schoolhouse Foundation
- Winner, Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre
- Winner, OLA Best Bets, Ontario Library Association
Editorial Reviews
This book has so much to offer.
Canadian Children's Book News
... humorous and light-hearted ...
School Library Connection
... offers a valuable lesson ...
Kirkus Reviews
Spires's bright, expressive illustrations and playful text put the reader right into Lou's cute little black running shoes ...
Quill & Quire
... Lou's dilemmas, feelings, and experiences should ring true for many kiddos taking on new challenges.
Booklist Online
Other titles by
No Mousie Left Behind
Most Magnificent Team, The
Bye Bye, Butterfly
Small Saul
Quelle créativité! Un livre pour les petits génies
Most Magnificent Maker's A to Z, The
Tiny Barbarian Conquers the Kraken!
Burt the Beetle Lives Here!
Binky the Space Cat: The Top Secret Collection
Super Small
Miniature Marvels of the Natural World