When Ms. Underwood asks if anyone wants to help Kyle, Zahra always volunteers. She loves spending time with Kyle—he’s creative and generous, and he makes the funniest jokes at lunch. But when Zahra’s other classmates start teasing her for helping him, she starts making choices she regrets.
I Can Help is a gentle, sensitive portrayal of reaching out, facing peer pressure, and learning from past mistakes. With thoughtful storytelling and poignant illustrations, this book will open discussions about choosing kindness in the classroom and beyond.
I Can Help by Reem Faruqi is a gem. It sends a powerful message. The story didn't go in the direction that I thought it would, but I think the actual ending is way more impactful. My heart literally skipped a beat when I realized what had happened. I Can Help gives readers - children, but also adults - a lot to think about in regards to how our actions affect people. Regret is an unpleasant feeling to live with. This is a must-have book on your shelf.
This 44 page early elementary book is absolutely beautiful: the message, the relatability, the representation, the heartfelt author note. Reem Faruqi is brilliant. Once again she takes something so personal to her and allows the readers to see pieces of themselves in her OWN voice narrative. This book at it's core is about peer pressure, but the way it stays with the reader will resonates deeply and powerfully. Readers will remember the choice Zahra made and the way it changed not only her relationship with Kyle, but also her own view of herself, while forgetting the names of the classmates that teased her and made her question herself. It is not the outside reprimanding that gives this book it's strength, but the guilty conscious that such a young character has to come to terms with as she moves forward.
There are 18 kids in Zahra's class in early fall, when the leaves are about to be the color of Nana's spices. One of the kids is Kyle. Kyle often needs a helper, and Zahra is happy to help him with his cutting and gluing and writing. The two have become friends. Kyle is funny and nice and shares his cookies.
Zahra also likes the praise she gets for being such a good helper. One day when the leaves have darkened, Zahra is climbing a tree and hears some of the girls making fun of Kyle. She doesn't want to listen, but her ears want to hear. When she comes down, they ask her why she helps him. She doesn't really know.
When she is helping him later, she sees the girls staring at her, and she snaps at Kyle. The next day Ahmed helps Kyle instead. Zahra misses being around Kyle, but he says that she is mean and he doesn't know her any more. Zahra doesn't know herself any more either.
The next year finds Zahra at a new school, and when the opportunity presents itself for her to help someone, she jumps to offer herself as a helper, remembering Kyle and finding her voice, one that she recognizes.
The book is inspired by the author's own experience, and the rawness and relatability shines through. The illustrator also relates to the book and needing help with physical limitations. There is nothing overtly religious or cultural other than the mention of the spices, Zahra's and Ahmed's names, and the term for Zahra's grandfather. The diverse kids in the classroom and the universal messaging make this book a must read for every kid and big person. Be kind, always be kind.
Zahra always offers to help others until she and the person she's helping, Kyle, are ridiculed by some of her classmates. She turns away from Kyle and speaks derisively to him.
Zahra moves away and is unable to make amends to Kyle for her cruelty. But she finds a new person in her new school to help, and that makes her feel better.
I personally think this is a fabulous book, and if you read the author’s note at the end, the storyline totally makes sense. The language was vivid and challenging for a toddler, but my toddler definitely understood the story – you should’ve seen her facial expressions change as we read it. The message is so clear and so relevant for any child today. I’d be tempted to purchase this one.
I really liked the story and the way that things were realistically depicted. Helping a classmate and showing empathy is not immediate, straightforward, rewarding, or rewarded in this story as it so often is in picture books for children. It is messy and complicated, and by the time the narrator realizes what has transpired, what the right choice was/should have been, and where she went wrong... she is no longer able to do anything to fix it. BUT she knows she can change the way she handles situations going forward... and that is a much better story and concept to convey: we all make mistakes and we all need help, and sometimes it takes awhile to figure things out and do better the next time.
First, even with the author's note, I don't get why someone would be so vulnerable to the mean girls' implications.
Second, I'm always leery of people being overzealous to help - this was presented as the teacher asking classmates to help the boy, not the boy asking. Did he want help, or was the teacher impatient with him and didn't give him a chance to do his own best?
Obviously the creators have the very best intentions, but the message doesn't come through in the story until a little bit at the end. The notes are necessary and should not be.
⭐️⭐️MUST HAVE Wow. This book by @reemfaruqi is meant to be read and reread, over and over again. Just like the leaves change during fall season in the book, so does the protagonist (and the reader)…with a valuable lesson to learn by the end! Zahra is Kyle’s helper. Kyle is special, and although his special quality is not defined, it is mentioned he fidgets a lot and moves his hands (It could be anything from adhd to autism, and I am SO glad it wasn’t defined. This is how kids books should be- introducing kids to the different qualities of special needs kids in a way they understand and not dwelling on the traits/diagnosis of the special needs children. This highlights the need for other children to make space for the special needs child and accommodate him/her). Zahra says Kyle is nice and she enjoys helping him in class, especially with the teachers praise. However, when 2 classmates start to comment about it to her, she changes. She feels weighed down by their comments…and the peer pressure affects her. Zahra is mean to Kyle, and the book shows her regret and struggle with her own actions.
The book changes to a new setting, and we see Zahra at a new city…and this time, when she sees someone who needs help, she gets up out of her seat and says: I can help! I really wanted Zahra to resolve things with Kyle when I first read the book. I felt like something was missing and I was so sad it didn’t tie up in a neat little bow! But then I realized, the book functions itself to make the reader FEEL regret, and the lasting feelings of wanting to resolve the problem are what propel the reader to realize that succumbing to peer pressure and treating others negatively will only lead to regret! The book itself takes you on an emotional ride to teach you what Zahra learned! And this is exactly how picture books SHOW the lesson instead of preaching it!! Def a universal beautiful book on doing the right thing, no matter what you face❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A wonderfully drawn book about a kid attempting to figure out who they are and where they fit in with their peers. Even at an early age, kindness and helping are important topics, as is peer pressure. The descriptions were one of the things that really struck me in this great narrative, and I had lovely colorful images in my brain while reading it. I believe this will spark a lot of discussion among children, and many will identify with different characters in the narrative. The sincerity of this narrative is what makes it so striking. We learn empathy not always through the good things we do, but from the bad things we do—a crucial lesson for young children. What I enjoyed best about this story was that the young protagonist never got the chance to apologize to the person she was nasty to because she moved—but she decided to do better and be nice to others at her new school. The plot is simple yet powerful, and the visuals are stunning.
Based on the author's note, this is a semi-autobiographical story. But I wish the author had taken more liberties with her story and offered a better conclusion for the Kyle character as a way to teach strength of character for Zahra. Here he's left behind, having been treated terribly by someone who was supposed to be his friend, a friend who moves on to a new school and, though she's learned her lesson, the reader feels no resolution for him. We're left wondering if Kyle was OK and with a really icky feeling inside. The cultural references are forced--they are only there to compare the leaves on the trees to spices her grandmother cooks with (three times). Would have preferred, and welcomed, a more organic weaving of culture into the story.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the digital ARC of this book.
A beautifully illustrated book of a child trying to figure out who they are and how they fit amongst their friends. Kindness and helping are key themes as well as peer pressure even at a young age. One of the things that really hit me in this gorgeous story were the descriptions and I really did have lovely colourful images in my head when reading this. I think this will generate a lot of conversation for kids and many will identify with different kids in the story.
I love this PB by one of my favorite authors, Reem Faruqi. There are so many books out there about being kind, and usually the protagonist is kind throughout. I CAN HELP is unique because it shows hows peer pressure can make you unkind. It's something most, if not, kids have had to deal with. I love the words Reem used throughout the book and the emotions throughout. Readers can tell that Faruqi really writes from her heart and the authenticity shines through. I love the author's note as well!
This picture book is a 3.5 for me, and I'd use it in conjunction with Jacqueline Woodson's Each Kindness since both cover similar territory. This one might be shared with students after the other one to show students how Chloe might seek to atone for her cruelty to Maya. In this picture book Zahra is eager to help Kyle, a classmate who struggles with reading, writing, and physical tasks such as cutting or gluing. It makes her feel good about herself when she does so--plus she likes Kyle and how generous he is with his homemade treats. But after hearing negative comments about Kyle from some classmates while she's on the playground and being questioned about why she even wants to help him, Zahra feels embarrassed and is less eager to provide assistance. In fact, she is cruel and rejects him, even insisting that he perform the task himself. He calls her on her behavior, telling her that she has become mean. Although another classmate assists Kyle, Zahra feels guilty about what she's done, and when she moves to another school, she offers a hand of friendship to another new girl who reminds her of Kyle. While she can never make up for how she treated him, she can be kind to someone else, showing that she learned from her mistakes. The story is told in a straightforward fashion, but there are touches of elegance that reveal Zahra's depth: "...I realize the leaves are no longer thinking about changing colors. They are already the colors of red pepper, cumin, and turmeric, the spices Nana uses" (unpaged). The mixed media illustrations use watercolor, gouache, and collage to support the story effectively and capture Zahra's emotions. Teachers should definitely include this title among those that they'd share during the opening weeks of school as a reminder to be kind to others and not so focused on what others think about their actions. Readers won't want to skip the Notes from the Author and the Illustrator in which they share their personal experiences and connections to the story.
New picture book on the themes of kindness, peer pressure, and though it's not mentioned in the summary, regret.
Zahra enjoys helping Kyle, a special needs student in her class, but when two of her classmates make disparaging remarks about him and ask why she bothers, she gives way to peer pressure and turns her back on him, treating him dismissively and unkindly. Even as she's doing it she realizes it's the wrong thing to do and is disappointed in herself. An important thing to note is that someone else steps up to be a helper so Kyle isn't friendless.
The beginning of a new school year, a new school, no Kyle, but Zahra, regretful of her behavior the previous year, is determined not to make the same mistake. She watches for those new to the school and immediately steps forward to welcome them.
An interesting author's note is that this story is based on an incident from her childhood, a time she was unkind. Faruqi comments that she later felt ashamed and wanted to apologize but never saw the boy again. She resolved to be more kind, and has been able to encourage her students to apologize with both words and actions to reconcile with the person they hurt. She ends her author's note with the sentiment, "Being kind is always the right decision."
Many children love to be helpers. In this story, Zahra loves to be a helper. She is proud when her teacher acknowledges that she is good at helping. She is also crushed when other classmates make fun of her. Zahra changes her behavior, even though it makes her feel badly to not help. Zahra has anther chance to follow her own heart after she moves to a new school herself.
There is a lot here to unpack, though the book is short. This is a peer pressure story and the illustrations by Mikela Prevost are perfectly able to express the emotions of the students throughout the book, especially the emotions of Zahra who is not comfortable with what her peers mean comments took from her. Author Reem Faruqi had a similar experience as a child which may explain why so much is here in this story. I most loved the connections to culture for the main character. The description of fall leaf colors as the spices used by her Nana in their meals hit me. The descriptions of emotions as Zahra stops helping her classmate are palpable, as well.
If you need a book to exemplify why kindness matters to both the person getting help and the person giving help. This is the book you need.
"Kyle keeps looking at me like he doesn't know me. I don't know me either."
There are 18 students in Zahra's class and one of them is Kyle. Kyle has strengths like drawing and drumming. He is generous, funny and kind. But Kyle needs help with his reading and his small motor skills like writing, cutting and gluing. Each day, the teacher asks for a volunteer to be Kyle's helper. Zahra is so excited when she is chosen to help and she does a really good job. So good, that she gets two thumbs up from the teacher.
One day, on the playground, Zahra overhears two girls making fun of Kyle. One of them asks her "Why do you help him?" Zahra is so embarrassed that she can't even explain why and the next day, her mean voice comes out when she is supposed to be helping Kyle. "Do it yourself!"
Before she has a chance to apologize, Zahra's family moves away. In an author's note, she explains that the story is based on an incident from her childhood. "I regret my actions to this day." But the good that came out of it is that she resolved to be kinder to others. A strong message, but it's a little confusing when she's in a new school without any explanation in the story.
This is quite an interesting take on the elementary classroom and student-helping-student activity. It begins with a multi-ethnic/racial classroom and shows good and bad interactions between children.
This interaction doesn't seem to be based on ethnical or racial issues, but just on human behavior. The little girl just simply wants to be a helper. And Kyle, the little white boy who constantly needs help, needs someone. Finally, she is chosen by the teacher to help. Delighted, she and Kyle work well together.
Then on the playground her girl classmates (strangely, they seem caucasian - she is dark skinned) belittle her helpful activities and she feels shame. Then she stops helping Kyle much to her own distress.
A year passes, and then strangely she gets another chance, but not with Kyle.
A good story of getting along together, helping, and the effect of attitudes on one another.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
I looked forward to reading this book very much and it certainly didn't disappoint. I admit I had to read it twice because I wasn't expecting the ending as it was. Then upon reflection I thought the ending was actually perfect. Adults assume quite a lot about what children can and cannot handle and the lesson this book is something that will certainly resonate with children and adults alike.
Warning: SPOILER ALERT!!!!! The author has taken inspiration from her own life. The little girl, Zahra, helps a boy in her class, Kyle, and enjoys it until she's put on the spot by bullies. How many of us can relate to this? Dare I say all of us. The ending where Zahra doesn't resolve the issue but moves to another school. However, the lesson, stemming from guilt, stays with her as she continues to help others. Most of my life lessons have been learned similarly. I think the ending is a powerful one for such an innocent book. Bravo to the author for writing such a thoughtful story. 👏
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
From its beautiful first line: "Just when the leaves are thinking of changing colors to look like the spices Nana cooks with, school starts," this is a book you can sink into to enjoy both the story and the craft. It would be a great book to use with students to talk about kindness, differently abled classmates, and feelings. There are a lot of "wondrous words" to examine too, from repeated phrases to personification to vivid sensory details to simile to perfectly crated phrases in a child's voice like "I blink the right amount of blinks so I don't cry." Best audience for this is younger elementary.
Reem Faruqi is such an amazing storyteller, I absolutely love her books, and this one does not dissapoint! This book is very much needed for every classroom, because it deals with peer pressure. The main character, Zahra, is a sweet, helpful student...but decides to hold back on doing good, because of some meanies in her class- that try to influence her. The message in this book is so touching, and takes us all back to those days in elementary school, where we sometimes had to learn tough, life lessons that still stay with us today. A great read for everyone, and a great opportunity to follow up with important discussions about friendship, loyalty and helping those in need!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Very sweet story of a young protagonist who is a helper in her classroom for a less abled classmate because of her warmth and her friendship and her kindness and empathy. Unfortunately, when snotty classmates ostracize her, her confidence is damaged and she retreats from her helping responsibilities. She regrets her inability to stand up to the snotty classmates and even more, the loss of friendship with the classmate she used to assist. Later, another opportunity to assist a classmate comes up. She embraces this chance, given what she has learned. The author shares that this is her own past experience, which is the reason this story is so successfully authenic.
I like the premise of this book very much, but I don't find the text and illustration very compelling. After a second read, I feel that the author has done a good job communicating several complex emotions that Zahra, Kyle, and the other children possibly feel. Wanting to help is a strong feeling for many of us. Zahra then faces embarrassment, shame, and confusion under the experience of peer pressure. She is not able to overcome the fear of being labeled as different or weird by a couple of classmates who are probably influencers. What helps us to choose definitively what is the right and kind way to act? What gives children the guidance to choose this way?
Reem Faruqi does it again! I’m a huge fan of all her books and this one doesn’t disappoint! I love the themes that revolve around this picture book: peer pressure, good intentions, kindness, forgiving yourself & moving forward. There are lots of books out there on being kind but I love that this one has a main character that gives it o peer pressure and does some not so kind things. It’s so relevant because most kids have done things in school from peer pressure and then regreted it! Highly recommend!! Great for back to school! Mikela’s illustrations were so lovely!
I am friends with the author on Twitter and I remember her telling the story of why she wrote this book. I’m so glad I finally have a chance to read it. This book was so difficult at times, because you can relate so much with Zahra - Who is truly kind at heart, but due to peer pressure she becomes mean. And the regret she feels is so personable and human, and what a great book for kids to read! The illustrations are so light and expressive in the perspectives really help highlight the emotional struggle of the characters. Highly recommend!
Some of us Goodreaders love to help others. It's how we're made.
This rare treat, this uncommonly thoughtful picture book, explores what to do if -- like Zara, the main character -- others make fun of your natural helpfulness. What to do then?
Zara learns the hard way, through harsh experience and confusion. The low point of this story is both honest and so relatable. While the ending is just lovely.
Well worth reading, well worth FIVE STARS. Thank you, author Reem Faruqi and illustrator Mikela Prevost.