Pakistani American author Reem Faruqi (Lailah's Lunchbox) based her realistic picture book about peer pressure and kindness, I Can Help, on a personal childhood experience. Mikela Prevost's naturally hued illustrations match Faruqi's gentle text and clearsighted plot.
In this first-person narrative, Zahra is a sweet, introspective girl who evocatively describes the changing autumn leaves as "the colors of red pepper, cumin, and turmeric, the spices Nana uses." She introduces her classmate Kyle by focusing first on wonderful things about him: he is "generous... funny... kind." But, she says, "Kyle is not great at reading. He has trouble sounding out words." Zahra's teacher encourages other children to help Kyle, and Zahra happily volunteers. She does such a good job that the teacher recognizes her with "not just one, but two thumbs up" and Zahra sits tall with pride. Though Kyle is a good friend and Zahra enjoys helping him, she's still vulnerable to negative opinions. Other students insult Kyle and ask Zahra why she helps him; Zahra shamefully doesn't defend herself or Kyle and begins to act differently toward him. It's not until Zahra enters a new school the next fall that she realizes she feels better when she does the right thing.
Prevost's soft, mixed-media illustrations in a subtle palette show diverse classmates and characters' emotionally expressive faces and body language. Notes from the author and illustrator reinforce the message, with Faruqi saying she once acted like Zahra and regrets her "actions to this day," and Prevost discussing her experience of being labeled "different" because of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. I Can Help teaches empathy and caring, and is an excellent title to read aloud with one child or a group. --Melinda Greenblatt, freelance book reviewer