Hello, friends! Our book today is Step By Step, written by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by Diane Goode, a sweet lesson in patience and perseverance.

Sometimes, the world can feel very overwhelming – there are so many things to do, so many people to see, and so much on your plate. But just like we all learned to walk step by step, or talk word by word, we can take on these big challenges the same way: “step by step, one by one”. As the illustrations follow a youngster in a yellow hoodie through their day – getting ready, going to school, working through lessons, etc. – we are reminded again and again that the big things aren’t so daunting, if we only remember to take them one step at a time.

Sweet, cheerful, and uplifting. A lesson that bookworms of all ages can appreciate, this gentle tale sees the young unnamed protagonist making friends “smile by smile” and cleaning messes “toy by toy”, each page reinforcing the main theme in a way that becomes affirming and comforting by the end. The artwork is colorful yet equally soft and soothing, with charming, energetic characters in the child’s class that represent a fair diversity (though all the characters, even the ones that present black, are relatively light-skinned). The length was great, and this one REALLY resonated with JJ – like most kids going back to in-person school since the pandemic, she has had to make new friends and learn classroom rules, which can be flustering. So a simple lesson in slowing down, having patience and persistence, and taking challenges as they come? Perfect, for her and any reader who may be feeling a little nervous or overwhelmed. Overall, a delight – Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)