Never Give Up - A story about self-esteem (children's book review)

(from amazon.com)

Never Give Up - A story about self-esteem

Written by Kathryn Cole , Illustrated by Qin Leng

Publisher: Second Story Press

Genre: Children's Book (24 pages) Ages 5-8

Never Give Up, in itself a simple story to follow.  A young kid, Shaun, is trying to learn to ride his bike, but is having a hard time balancing.  But, this story has a few more layers to it.  It is told by Nadia, his young friend, who is also having issues of her own, they main being watching her friend get teased, yet not standing up for him.

I have read many children's stories about not giving up, and to keep trying, but “Never Give Up”  does it far better.  This story not only teaches that you need to keep on trying, but to do it even when others maybe laughing at you.  It is also a story of friendship and helping others.  Our main character, feels awful for not standing up and helping her friend, and goes to her father for help.  Teaching children that when you have problems you can not slove, it is okay to seek out adult help.  

However, the part of this book that stood out above anything else, we the author’s and illustrator’s way of adding diversity without waving flags stating, ‘look how diverse we are here.”  With a main character in a hijab and the children of different races playing together, it is all there but never brought into the focus of the story. They just are, and it is perfect.   

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.