Vara stark

by Pat Zietlow Miller, Jen Hill (Illustrator), Hien Ekeroth (Translator)

När Tanjas klass ska klättra skolans klättervägg blir hon rädd. Hennes muskler är svaga och hon vet att hon inte klarar att komma ändå upp som sin klasskompis, Clara.

Men styrka handlar om mer än bara muskler.

Tanja får lära sig att hon är starkare än hon tror och att hon också är stark genom att ställa upp, säga ifrån och inte ge upp. Och att människor är starkast när de samarbetar och litar på varandra.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Activism, Juvenile, Inspirational, Friendship, Emotion

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Pat Zietlow Miller knew she wanted to be a writer ever since her seventh-grade English teacher read her paper about square-dancing skirts out loud in class and said: “This is the first time anything a student has written has given me chills.” (Thanks, Mrs. Mueller! You rock!)

Pat started out as a newspaper reporter and wrote about everything from dartball and deer-hunting to diets and decoupage. Then, she joined an insurance company and edited its newsletter and magazine.

Now, she writes insurance information by day and children’s books by night. She has 11 picture books available and 12 more that will be coming out in the next few years.

Her books in print are: SOPHIE’S SQUASH, WHEREVER YOU GO, SHARING THE BREAD, THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE, SOPHIE'S SQUASH GO TO SCHOOL, WIDE-AWAKE BEAR, LORETTA'S GIFT, BE KIND, REMARKABLY YOU, MY BROTHER THE DUCK and WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE.

Pat has one wonderful husband, two delightful daughters and two pampered cats. She doesn’t watch much TV, but she does love "Chopped." Pat lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[sAmAnE · Rating 5 out of 5]

به قول مامان...
قوی بودن یعنی به پیش رفتن.
می‌گوید: قدم‌های کوچک هیچ اشکالی ندارند، به شرط آنکه تو را در مسیر درستی پیش ببرند.
لحظه‌ای که تصمیم گرفتم صد تا نامه‌ی تشکر برای آدم‌های قوی بنویسم، ۱۰۰ تا نامه خیلی زیاد به نظر می‌آمد. خیلی بیشتر از توان من. اما هر زمان یکی از این نامه‌ها را به کسی می‌دهم، به هدفم نزدیک‌تر می‌شوم.

[Mohanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"من قوی نیستم. بعضی روزها حتی نمی‌توانم کوله پشتی‌ام را بلند کنم. روزهای دیگر حتی کارهای ساده هم سخت می‌شود."
این کتاب رو خوندم که یادآوری کنم به خودم که گاه هرچقدر دنیا پیچیده و سخت باشه اما گاهی لازمه از زاویه‌ی دید یک کودک به زندگی نگاه کنی و به خودت بگی شاید اونقدر هم سخت نیست. شاید می‌تونم یاد بگیرم قوی باشم. شاید واقعا قوی بود یعنی همین.
"به قول مامان قوی بودن یعنی به پیش رفتن.
می گوید:قدم های کوچک هیچ اشکالی ندارد به شرط آنکه تو راه در مسیر درستی پیش ببرند."

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I love this!!! Such a fabulous companion to Be Kind. It's lovely in the gentle way it teaches various components that can make someone appear stay strong, & is an important message for kids. And I appreciate that it's not about the problematic "growth mindset" or "grit", but truly multidimensional in how we can show strength of character. Perfect for your SEL text sets!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tanisha is disheartened. She can't do the rock-climbing wall in gym class. But her family encourages her to be strong and to persist and they share ways they are doing that in their own lives. Tanisha boldly tries again, and, this time with some help, she gets farther than she did before.

A little story that encourages positive actions forward in a world that can be challenging.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diverse and inclusive, with a message of strength in many forms, this is a sweet picture book. The various definitions of strength are great: Strength is …showing up, speaking up, not giving up, moving forward (tiny steps are fine, as long as they take you in the right direction!), and especially letting kids know that it is okay, when you aren't strong enough alone, to be strong with someone else.

[Rebecca Reeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Strong by Goodreads author Pat Zietlow Miller is charming and heartwarming and very worthwhile. Throughout the book, there are many examples of how people can be strong. The colorful illustrations have so many details that adults who are reading this book to children will be able to point out - and/or ask children to find - relevant details. This will also enable repeat readings to seem new and fresh throughout numerous readings.
The father is organizing a drive to collect canned goods and clothing and other items to help people who have lost their homes. The mother has to be very persistent to stir up enough interest to eventually have a marked pedestrian crossing added near a school. (I liked the illustration showing a young bicycle rider at the fender of a car prior to the addition of a crosswalk. What a great opportunity to talk to kids about looking both ways, etc.) However,I can't conclude this review without mentioning the book's grandmother who is strong in her determination to stay limber and keep stretching and exercising. Children who can not yet read will be able to look at these illustrations and make up stories as they turn the pages. What more could you want from a picture book ?

[Relyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a Missouri Show Me nominee this year and I can hardly believe it. The ideas in the book were good, and with some effort, I was able to guide my classes into very good discussions. However, the book was terribly written, especially for reading aloud. Bummer.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this shows other ways of showing strength - that it's not always about being physically strong. And that it's ok to accept help!

[Lauren R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my class after I bought it to add to our class library. It was a favorite so far this year! It was about a young girl (elementary school aged) who worries about not being able to climb to the top of the climbing wall during PE. She goes through all the times her family, friends, and loved ones have been brave or strong. Then, she realizes that she must be strong too. The illustrations in this story were absolutely beautiful with range of diverse characters. I utilized this story in my 2nd grade classroom as part of an SEL lesson. I think this would be a book to read in any kinder-3 setting. I think it would lead to great conversations about being strong and not giving up.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

خیلی ساده از دید یک دختر بچه مدرسه‌ای می‌خوانیم که:
“خانواده‌ام می‌گویند قوی بودن در زندگی به دردت می‌خورد… پس از خودم می‌پرسم چطور می‌توانم قوی باشم؟”

خیلی از این کتاب خوشم آمد
چون مفهومی که می‌تواند برای بچه‌ها انتزاعی باشد را با مثال در زندگی ساده دختر بچه‌ای می‌شکافد و اینکه قوی بودن می‌تواند چه شکل‌ها و مدل‌هایی داشته باشد.
از حاضر بودن برای کمک کردن توسط پدر تا راحت حرف و نظر خود را گفتن توسط مادر گرفته، تا کم نیاوردن و ادامه دادن مادربزرگ بامزه‌ی داستان که بدون ترس از اینکه دیگران به اون بخندند یوگا می‌کند و می‌دود…

فقط با یک قسمت کتاب مشکل داشتم و آن آنجایی بود که برای استمرار بچه به نواختن ساز، اشاره به مسابقه استعدادیابی می‌کند. چون کلا دو مفهوم استعداد و مسابقه، هر دو برای من به کلی باطل هستند و آن‌ها را از مفاهیم آسیب‌زننده خصوصاً به بچه‌ها می‌دانم. قطعاً برای استفاده از این کتاب در کلاسم، این قسمت را تغییر خواهم داد (و داستان را به گونه‌ای روایت می‌کنم که این ساز زدن صرفاً برای علاقه و شوق و خود نفس کار است، نه مسابقه و مفاهیم این چنینی…)

[Mindy Alyse Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Be Kind and am thrilled this talented author/illustrator team created Be Strong, too. I hope all children read this book!

It’s fantastic that this book not only shows ways to be strong for yourself…but to also be strong enough to help others. To make a difference. And make our world a better place.

There are times every child and adult doesn’t feel strong enough. This is the perfect pep talk and inspiration to take steps (even if they’re tiny) toward being stronger and never giving up. Sometimes we need a little help…and it’s comforting to know we can be stronger together.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being strong doesn’t just mean that you can make it to the top of the climbing wall in gym like Cayla. The young narrator has been told by her family that being strong will get you through life when hard times hit. But some days she can’t even lift her heavy backpack. So she asks her father how she can be strong. He tells her that strength is showing up like when they help people who have lost their homes. Her mother says strength is speaking up, like when her mother worked to get a crossing guard at a busy street. Her grandmother says it means not giving up, like her starting to run. So the girl figures out what the means for her, how she can help those around her, how she can speak up and change the way things work, and how if she keeps on trying she can reach her goals both on her own and with some help.

Miller cleverly plays against the stereotypical definition of strength early in this picture book. She shows that yes, physical strength is definitely strength and then proceeds through the rest of the book to show the other aspects of strength, including resilience, determination, speaking up, setting goals, and asking for help. Miller’s text is simple and reads aloud well. She nicely walks young readers through what strength is, allowing them to see it both in themselves and others.

Hill’s illustrations show a diverse cast of characters in an urban setting. The young narrator is Black and her community of classmates and others are a variety of races and religions. The illustrations are bright and friendly, inviting readers into a world where children can make a difference.

A vibrant look at strength and community. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gouache and Adobe Photoshop illustrations complement another empowering picture book from the creative team that brought Be Kind to young readers. The main character, a young girl, faces various challenges in life, but the one that has her stymied is having to climb the gym wall. While her friend Cayla scrambles up the wall quickly, she remains close to the bottom, not strong enough to lift her body up the summit. Naturally, she relies on her family to provide support and suggestions. Being strong, they tell her, means showing up, speaking up, and not giving up. She puts all that into practice, and then also using their suggestions to make things happen, moving forward, and helping others while accepting help from others. The images that support the text follow the protagonist and her family each step of the way as her mother's determination to make the street crossing safer for youngsters pays off. Many young readers will take inspiration from these examples and realize that some changes take time and that it isn't weak to accept help from those who offer it.

[Felicia L · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very beautiful book. I like how the story starts with what most children associate being strong with (i.e. physical strength); making it easy to understand. Then only showing other forms of strength (resilience, speaking up, accepting help).

I love that the illustration shows a multicultural society and the story shows how Tanisha's family is actively involved in the community and making it a better place.

It is not all smooth and easy for Tanisha. And that is what I love most about this book; because the scenarios are relatable and the emotions are realistic;

Such as when a friend is excluded and sitting alone at lunch or when learning something new seems difficult.

Children learn that it is normal to have setbacks, to not be the best at everything that they do. It is okay to feel discouraged, ashamed, to have others not agree with what you believe in.

And also equally important, is that being strong doesn't have to be lonely, just as accepting help doesn't make you any less strong.

[Taylor Baughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tanisha is disheartened because she is not able to do the rock-climbing wall in gym class. When she goes home that day, her family encourages her to be strong and to persist and they share ways they are doing that in their own lives. Tanisha boldly tries again, and this time with some help, she gets farther than she did before.

This book is diverse and inclusive, with a message that strength comes in many forms. The various definitions of strength are showing up, speaking up, not giving up, moving forward, and that tiny steps are fine, as long as they take you in the right direction! Lastly, this book allows children to know that it is okay when you aren't strong enough alone, but you can always be strong with someone else.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Tanisha! Today's assignment in PE - climb the wall! But Tanisha isn't very strong and doesn't even make it off of the floor. She's pretty discouraged but then she remembers what her parents and her grandmother do when they don't feel very strong. They keep trying. There are lots of ways to be strong - helping friends with math when you'd rather be outside playing; making sure no one has to sit alone in the lunchroom; practicing a new instrument; attacking what seems like an impossible task; and accepting a friend's help when you need it - and that's how you learn to be strong!

This encouraging book offers lots of good advice and it also has great illustrations.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest in this series by Miller. Readers see Tanisha learn all the ways people can be strong as they support others and fight for causes. The story begins with her not being able to climb the wall in gym class. She doesn't feel strong until she interacts with the adults in her family. They recount all the ways they have chosen to be strong. Readers see them help neighbors, work on themselves, and fight for causes. Love the end when her friend helps her climb the wall. She doesn't make it to the top but she climbs higher than she did before. Loving encouragement to keep standing up even when it's difficult.

[Marissa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love the message of this book! It follows a little girl Tanisha and her joinery to finding out what it means to be strong. At the beginning we see her struggling with nit feeling as though she is strong enough. However, through her pondering over the ways in which her family (dad, mom, and grandmother) she learns what I means to be strong. To show up, speak up, and to never give up. It is a truly inspirational story for children, and they can take inspiration from this story and incorporate the acts of service Tanisha did in the story which is so beautiful. I think we can all take a lesson from Tanisha in our story when we feel like we aren't string enough.

[Boktanten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fin och pedagogisk bok!
Vilken bra bok, den manar verkligen till en diskussion mellan barnen om vad det innebär att vara stark. Man kan vara stark på många sätt, det är väldigt olika från person till person.

I boken "Vara stark" tar Pat Zietlow Miller upp saker som att man är stark när man hjälper andra, när man inte ger upp även om det känns omöjligt, att även små framsteg räknas.

Illustrationerna av Jen Hill är fulla av små detaljer vilket ger lyssnaren mycket att titta på under läsningen. Boken riktar sig till 6 till 9-åringar och som högläsningsbok tror jag den fungerar även på de lite yngre barnen i förskolan.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about what it means to be strong. Our little girl is not strong enough to climb the wall in gym class, while another classmate easily makes it to the top. Does that mean she's not strong?
She goes through all the ways her parents and grandparents say you can be strong. By helping others, showing up, speaking up, and making things happen.
She gives examples of how the adults do those things, and then how she puts them into practice in her own life.
The last way to be strong is to accept help; so at the end when her super-climber classmate offers her a hand climbing in the gym, she is strong enough to take it.

[Norene Paulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book I needed during my growing up years, and the book I still need today to remind me that physical strength (which I've never) is not the only kind of strength that makes a person strong. Tanisha can't do many of the things I couldn't do as a child like climbing the wall (in my case, the rope) in gym class or lifting heavy objects, but like Tanisha I CAN show up, speak up, and never give up...an important reminder for all of us. Highly recommend this book either as a stand alone or as the companion book to Miller's NYT best-seller BE KIND.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, in the same vein as Be Kind, from the same author/illustrator team of Zietlow Miller and Hill, challenges what our definition of “strong” is. Often we think of strong as a physical adjective, but to be strong requires so much more than physicality. Perseverance and being kind and brave as well as admitting that we too need are themes that are subtly discussed throughout the book; and the colorful and detailed diverse illustrations will keep smaller children engaged. I think we might be seeing another award book for this author/illustrator team!

[Lannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I loved this book. It describes different types of strength, not just the physical. And in each one it presents a challenge to the main character, then provides an example from a grown-up in that child’s life, ranging from parents to grandparents. This book felt very inclusive in a quiet and natural way. The characters in this book are sweetly drawn and include all skin tones and abilities. Highly recommend.

The author also has a book titled Be Kind, where he includes the same cast of kids. An adorable touch which my kids and I really enjoyed.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Pat Zietlow Miller's books, and this one is such a perfect companion to BE KIND. The ways to "be strong" are not the predictable, expected ones, but focus on "showing up, speaking up, and not giving up." These are exemplified in the speaker's family and friends, and then applied in her own day to day life. This is the kind of book that could feel preachy, but in Miller's deft hands, and with Jen Hill's soft illustrations, it feels more like exploration and discovery of how to be human - and especially, how to be a good one.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this companion book to BE KIND, Pat Zietlow Miller and Jen Hill explore strength in its many forms. Tanisha isn’t the strongest person in gym class but her family helps her discover how to be strong by showing up, speaking up, and persevering. Pat Zietlow Miller’s simple but powerful text pairs well with Jen Hill’s lovely illustrations. Small things mentioned in the text get amplified and expanded in the illustrations. A beautiful collaboration and an empowering book!

[Jaedyn Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book that I think shares a really important message with kids. I think many kids think of the word "strong" and they immediately think physically, but it's important to know that there are so many other ways a person can be strong. It's important to teach kids that they're all strong in their own ways, and this book does a great job talking about all of the little things that can make them stronger.

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the message in this book about being strong and showing up and following through and accepting help as well as giving help. I think it has some great messages for children and adults as well.

Its not a fun rhymy style book to read but not difficult to read aloud either and short enough paragraphs to hold my grandsons attention before we turn the page. He is currently 4 and not always patient with longer, wordier stories.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My little ones and I love BE STRONG. It's a great standalone story and a nice companion to BE KIND. It's got a wonderful message, easy-to-remember words of wisdom, and lovely illustrations. I also like how it can lead to rich discussions about the issues introduced in the book. This one is a winner!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tanisha is not strong enough to succeed on the climbing wall. But she learns--and reminds readers--that there are many ways to be strong beyond the muscular way.
This is a good addition for our PBIS/SEL collection. While overtly didactic, there is also a plot to carry the messages.
Recommended for all elementary grades.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feel like I've read a bunch of stories about being strong/brave/courageous lately.

I like this one because it's a girl narrating her day and the things she has difficulty doing and the ways others around her tell her how to be strong.

I especially like that one of the ways to be strong is accepting help from someone else.