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Vincent Can't Go (hOle book): A Fun Story About Friendship | Ages 7+
Ever since his father went away to work, all Vincent's mother can say to any of his plans 'Vincent Can't Go'. But with his best friend's birthday party coming up, Vincent has to go. How will he manage that?
53 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 14, 2025
Vincent doesn't have tantrums. Vincent doesn't beg. But with each "no" he's told, something wears away inside of him. And now, with his best friend's birthday looming on the horizon—the one party he *can't* get out of—he decides to fight back. Not with defiance, but with something considerably more mature: patience, reason, and heart-rending optimism.
Mariyam Fatima doesn't make him a hero. She makes him human. Vincent writes the house shopping lists, pleads his case like a pint-sized lawyer, helps wash dishes, watches his attitude—he does all the things he believes a good boy would do in order to get a plain old yes. And when that fails, his worry wraps around him. The itch begins. Stealthy, insidious. It's never given a name, never explained away—but readers will sense it, particularly those who've ever had to stuff down their desire.
It's not about going to a birthday party. It's about a kid dancing around adult worries he doesn't really comprehend. Since his father left, Vincent's mother has basically cordoned the house off with caution tape. Her love has become constriction. And Vincent, perceptive for his age, knows it—but wishes otherwise.
Habib Ali's art captures that claustrophobia. Spaces seem almost out of scale, vincent can't go phrases blowing out, Vincent gets sketched halfway through actions—he's itching,washing plates, shopping for the skates. You sense the quiet desperation of him.
And then, when his mother finally gives in, no great burst of happiness. Only a small, tentative unfolding of air. Vincent has permission to leave—not because he insisted, but because he continued with dignity.
This book does not ring in with bold victories. It celebrates the children who persevere. Who scratch, wait, and still ask again tomorrow and realize the issues at home.
Mariyam Fatima doesn't make him a hero. She makes him human. Vincent writes the house shopping lists, pleads his case like a pint-sized lawyer, helps wash dishes, watches his attitude—he does all the things he believes a good boy would do in order to get a plain old yes. And when that fails, his worry wraps around him. The itch begins. Stealthy, insidious. It's never given a name, never explained away—but readers will sense it, particularly those who've ever had to stuff down their desire.
It's not about going to a birthday party. It's about a kid dancing around adult worries he doesn't really comprehend. Since his father left, Vincent's mother has basically cordoned the house off with caution tape. Her love has become constriction. And Vincent, perceptive for his age, knows it—but wishes otherwise.
Habib Ali's art captures that claustrophobia. Spaces seem almost out of scale, vincent can't go phrases blowing out, Vincent gets sketched halfway through actions—he's itching,washing plates, shopping for the skates. You sense the quiet desperation of him.
And then, when his mother finally gives in, no great burst of happiness. Only a small, tentative unfolding of air. Vincent has permission to leave—not because he insisted, but because he continued with dignity.
This book does not ring in with bold victories. It celebrates the children who persevere. Who scratch, wait, and still ask again tomorrow and realize the issues at home.
July 13, 2025
We all know what it’s like not to be allowed to go somewhere we really want to go. Birthday party. Sleepover. Movie. Dinner.
In Vincent’s case, though, it’s been months since he’s been allowed anywhere. Ever since his father was sent to America, his mother doesn’t allow him to do tiny things he used to do. He can’t even go buy blue Lays from the kirana shop.
Buying blue Lays may not be such a big deal. But his best friend’s birthday party is a big deal. He knows what his mother will say: ‘Vincent Can’t Go’. Now, however, Vincent must go. Or else will his best friend even be his best friend any longer?
Vincent Can’t Go by Mariyam Fatima, illustrated by Habib Ali, is a charming story about children making something happen. At the mature age of eight, surely Vincent is old enough to be doing things for himself! Without ever being cute or patronising, the story takes us through Vincent’s growing anxiousness: his mother never listens to what he wants to do, and is always too busy to take him anywhere!
While I would have loved for the story to have higher stakes, I found myself thinking that the stakes are high for an eight-year-old. I love how the characters get together to make something happen for themselves, to push adults to see things their way. A sweet story, Vincent Can’t Go is perfect for young readers who are pushing boundaries, itching to taste freedom and make their own choices.
Book club activities - https://www.varshaseshan.com/vincent-...
In Vincent’s case, though, it’s been months since he’s been allowed anywhere. Ever since his father was sent to America, his mother doesn’t allow him to do tiny things he used to do. He can’t even go buy blue Lays from the kirana shop.
Buying blue Lays may not be such a big deal. But his best friend’s birthday party is a big deal. He knows what his mother will say: ‘Vincent Can’t Go’. Now, however, Vincent must go. Or else will his best friend even be his best friend any longer?
Vincent Can’t Go by Mariyam Fatima, illustrated by Habib Ali, is a charming story about children making something happen. At the mature age of eight, surely Vincent is old enough to be doing things for himself! Without ever being cute or patronising, the story takes us through Vincent’s growing anxiousness: his mother never listens to what he wants to do, and is always too busy to take him anywhere!
While I would have loved for the story to have higher stakes, I found myself thinking that the stakes are high for an eight-year-old. I love how the characters get together to make something happen for themselves, to push adults to see things their way. A sweet story, Vincent Can’t Go is perfect for young readers who are pushing boundaries, itching to taste freedom and make their own choices.
Book club activities - https://www.varshaseshan.com/vincent-...
July 5, 2025
Vincent Can’t Go is one of those quiet, powerful stories that stays with you long after the last page — not because it’s loud or flashy, but because it speaks to something real. Vincent’s frustration is deeply relatable for any child who’s ever felt left out of the fun for reasons beyond their control.
The story begins with a simple yet heartbreaking refrain — every time Vincent wants to do something, his mother responds with “Vincent can’t go.” The repetition is gentle but effective; we feel his disappointment build. And while the book doesn’t spell out everything about why his father is away, that absence looms large, shaping the home and Vincent’s daily life.
What works beautifully is how child-centric the story remains — it’s told entirely from Vincent’s point of view, full of hope, little plans, and stubborn resilience. When his best friend’s birthday party approaches, Vincent is determined to make it happen — and how he does it is clever, funny, and heartwarming.
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
The story begins with a simple yet heartbreaking refrain — every time Vincent wants to do something, his mother responds with “Vincent can’t go.” The repetition is gentle but effective; we feel his disappointment build. And while the book doesn’t spell out everything about why his father is away, that absence looms large, shaping the home and Vincent’s daily life.
What works beautifully is how child-centric the story remains — it’s told entirely from Vincent’s point of view, full of hope, little plans, and stubborn resilience. When his best friend’s birthday party approaches, Vincent is determined to make it happen — and how he does it is clever, funny, and heartwarming.
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
December 12, 2025
Children pick up emotional queues more effortlessly than adults. This story portrays the struggle of Vincent as he navigates life while his Abba is away for work. He observes his Amma loose her smile and charm as she misses her husband. The little kid tries to be supportive and understanding when his mother gradually stops permitting him from playing, sleepovers and outings. His best friend's birthday party sets in motion Vincent's plan to be 'Brave'.
A lovely book about a child's journey to bravery.
A lovely book about a child's journey to bravery.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews