Recent Reads: Be Strong by Pat Zietlow Miller

Be Strong by Pat Zietlow Miller

Illustrated by Jen Hill

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date:   August 10, 2021

 

Format: Hardback
Source: Won from the publisher.

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

A picture book about finding strength in unlikely places from the team behind the hugely popular New York Times bestseller Be Kind.

When her gym class must face the school rock-climbing wall, Tanisha is discouraged. Her muscles are weak, and she knows she'll never reach the top like Cayla.

But maybe strength is about more than just muscles.

With help from her family, Tanisha learns that by showing up, speaking up, and not giving up, she can be strong, too. And that people are the strongest when they work together and trust each other.

Award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller has reunited with illustrator Jen Hill for Be Strong, another unforgettable story sure to inspire kids and adults alike.

Review: 

I had the opportunity in June to be part of an advance access Zoom Q&A with the author of this beautiful book. Pat Zietlow Miller obviously has a love for her craft and it shows not only while she talked about Be Strong but also in its pages.  During the event, readers, librarians, and booksellers asked questions about her process and the illustrations and she provided insightful and fun stories about it all. It was a wonderful event made all the better by a sweepstakes to enter to win a finished copy - which I did! 

This book is so wonderful. It starts off with Tanisha having trouble climbing the wall in gym class and leads the readers into a wonderful explaination about all the different forms of being strong. She learns that she can be strong in other ways, not just physically, by showing up, speaking up, and not giving up. Tanisha works hard to do all of these things and be strong but also learns that being strong can also mean asking for and accepting help when you need it. 

This book and story are a wonderful teaching tool in addition to having a diverse character cast. The illustrations follow along with the important message of the story really well and lend to the overall meaning behind the words. This is a beautiful book and a wonderful read. If you have the chance to add it to your library, I highly recommend it.