“Together, the words and pictures work seamlessly to deliver a powerful message: What we do matters.”—R. J. Palacio, The New York Times When the news reports are flooded with tales of hatred and fear, a girl asks her papa what she can do to make the world a better place. “Come with me,” he says. Hand-in-hand, they walk to the subway, tipping their hats to those they meet. The next day, the girl asks her mama what she can do—her mama says, “Come with me,” and together they set out for the grocery, because one person doesn’t represent an entire race or the people of a land. After dinner that night, the little girl asks if she can do something of her own—walk the dog . . . and her parents let her go. “Come with me,” the girl tells the boy across the hall. Walking together, one step at a time, the girl and the boy begin to see that as small and insignificant as their part may seem, it matters to the world.
In this lyrical and timely story, author Holly M. McGhee and illustrator Pascal Lemaître champion the power of kindness, bravery, and friendship in the face of uncertainty.
On sale: September 5, 2017
Age: 5-8 years
Grade: Grades K-3
Page count: 40 Pages
ISBN: 9781524739058
Reading level: Lexile: AD550L
Holly M. McGhee is the author of the middle-grade novel,
Matylda, Bright & Tender. She has also written picture books and a chapter-book series under the pen name Hallie Durand, including
Mitchell's License and
Mitchell Goes Bowling. A literary agent too, she lives with her family in Maplewood, New Jersey. You can visit her at hollymcghee.com.
Pascal Lemaître is the illustrator of several books for children, including
Do Not Open This Book! and the
New York Times bestseller
Who's Got Game? His wife is the dancer-choreographer Emmanuèle Phuon and their daughter, Maëlle, walks their dog, Doodle . . . sometimes. You can visit him at pascallemaitre.com.
Praise for Come With Me:
A New York Times BestsellerA 2018 Finalist for the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award – Picture Book
A 2018 Anna Dewdney Read Together Honor Book
“Together, the words and pictures work seamlessly to deliver a powerful message: What we do matters.”—R. J. Palacio,
The New York Times “This lovely picture book . . . offers smaller children a gentle, encouraging, age-appropriate response to disturbing news reports.”—
The New York Times “Inspired by the 9/11 attacks in the States and the bombings in Brussels in early 2017, this book tackles a tough subject with honesty, gentleness, and a call to action. Let’s all try to do the same.”—
Publishers Weekly ShelfTalker
“[A]n emotionally rich proclamation about not giving into fear.”—
Publishers Weekly“Teaching children that they can make a difference by being ‘brave, gentle, strong – and kind’ in their daily lives is a powerful message. This title could be used with others to spark those important discussions with children and adults.”—
School Library Journal
