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Step by Step
Perfect for first day of school sharing or graduation at year’s end, this tender and comforting book is about tackling life’s firsts, one step at a time.
On the morning a little boy is going to start school, his father reassures when things seem overwhelming, take it step by step! Whether it is making new friends, learning to write and count, or cleaning up a big mess at the end of the day, he can get through it all and have fun along the way.
On the morning a little boy is going to start school, his father reassures when things seem overwhelming, take it step by step! Whether it is making new friends, learning to write and count, or cleaning up a big mess at the end of the day, he can get through it all and have fun along the way.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published August 31, 2021
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Alice B. McGinty
78 books35 followersAlice Blumenthal McGinty is an American writer of children's books.
McGinty was born in 1963 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended Indiana University and the University of Illinois. McGinty is Jewish. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
McGinty was born in 1963 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended Indiana University and the University of Illinois. McGinty is Jewish. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 18, 2021
Inspirational text and lively illustrations encourage young readers to do big things a little at a time.
Using the same style she employed to illustrate books such as the Cinderella Smith series and the Louise the Big Cheese picture books, Diane Goode lends a collection of cheerful figures to McGinty's affirming words. Boys and girls of varying skin tones (and one girl using a wheelchair) welcome an uncertain newcomer into their circle, modeling how they try each day to make a step toward their goals, whether they're working on counting, painting, building, or writing. The background of each page is stark white, focusing all the attention on the attitudes and movements of the characters.
I think the best place to read this book aloud is probably a classroom. It feels like a good positive way to kick off a school year and to encourage kids to try, and keep trying, until they are successful at whatever they wish to achieve. I do think there are story time themes and locations that might lend themselves to sharing a book like this. I used to do story time alongside a yoga instructor, for example, and I think in that context it would have been well-received. Similarly, if there is need of a book on the theme of confidence or perseverance or "growth mindset," this is a strong choice. The rhyme and rhythm work well, and the illustrations are spare enough that they can translate well from the front of a small room to the back.
This book reminds me a bit of I Can Be Anything by Jerry Spinelli, but with a more realistic emphasis on putting in effort to learn new things rather than a hollow blanket pronouncement that anyone can be anything. I don't tend to love books whose sole purpose is to teach a lesson, but this one is a lot more appealing than most. The ideal age range for this book is probably 4 to 6 years. I will most likely give it to my almost-6-year-old to read to herself or to her sister who is almost 4.
I received a finished copy of Step by Step from Paula Wiseman Books in exchange for an honest review.
Using the same style she employed to illustrate books such as the Cinderella Smith series and the Louise the Big Cheese picture books, Diane Goode lends a collection of cheerful figures to McGinty's affirming words. Boys and girls of varying skin tones (and one girl using a wheelchair) welcome an uncertain newcomer into their circle, modeling how they try each day to make a step toward their goals, whether they're working on counting, painting, building, or writing. The background of each page is stark white, focusing all the attention on the attitudes and movements of the characters.
I think the best place to read this book aloud is probably a classroom. It feels like a good positive way to kick off a school year and to encourage kids to try, and keep trying, until they are successful at whatever they wish to achieve. I do think there are story time themes and locations that might lend themselves to sharing a book like this. I used to do story time alongside a yoga instructor, for example, and I think in that context it would have been well-received. Similarly, if there is need of a book on the theme of confidence or perseverance or "growth mindset," this is a strong choice. The rhyme and rhythm work well, and the illustrations are spare enough that they can translate well from the front of a small room to the back.
This book reminds me a bit of I Can Be Anything by Jerry Spinelli, but with a more realistic emphasis on putting in effort to learn new things rather than a hollow blanket pronouncement that anyone can be anything. I don't tend to love books whose sole purpose is to teach a lesson, but this one is a lot more appealing than most. The ideal age range for this book is probably 4 to 6 years. I will most likely give it to my almost-6-year-old to read to herself or to her sister who is almost 4.
I received a finished copy of Step by Step from Paula Wiseman Books in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2021
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
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.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
October 3, 2021
How wonderful to see Diane Goode’s fun, inclusive, colorful pen and water color illustrations! I just took a major nostalgic snoop through her website (dianegoode.com) complete with lots of happy sighing. Just look at the expressions on her characters faces… “Step by Step” follows a character as they move through their day starting with getting dressed (piece by piece) then walking to school (stride by stride), then meeting friends (smile by smile) and building (block by block) and counting (one by one). Each part of the day is built on by the next step and the next – thus, “Step by Step”.
September 29, 2021
What attracted me to this book was the diversity on the cover. Not just the color that the kids appeared, but physical ability (one was in a wheelchair). Even though diversity was not the focus of the book, it was still good to see. I’m still unsure if this was just tokenism or if different images are truly being done to represent everyone. Either way this could still be a good book to add to your child’s books since it will help them to see types of people.
January 1, 2022
“What’s the way to get it done?
Step by step, one by one.”
The book details all the things kids learn a little bit at at time, getting better as they continue to take those important steps forward.
Perfect for read alouds ( kindergarten or 1st grade, especially) to discuss mindset, especially persistence.
Step by step, one by one.”
The book details all the things kids learn a little bit at at time, getting better as they continue to take those important steps forward.
Perfect for read alouds ( kindergarten or 1st grade, especially) to discuss mindset, especially persistence.
September 21, 2021
a good book for any child facing fear or anxiety about tackling a new difficult task. ones in the book include making friends, learning to read, learning to swing, counting, cleaning... man... kids have to conquer so much big stuff
August 28, 2021
3.5 stars for this picture book
September 23, 2021
Great read aloud for younger grades about perseverance and how we learn.
October 15, 2021
Step by step you learn and grow. Wonderful message.
October 20, 2021
good for read-alouds. there's good stuff here, it just wasn't a standout for me.
April 27, 2022
Nice read!
July 23, 2022
First day of school in kindergarten
January 28, 2023
A story of growth and cooperation. A poignant counterpoint to Oliver Jeffers' Meanwhile, Back On Earth.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews