The Thing Lou Couldn't Do

by Ashley Spires

Other authorsAshley Spires (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 2017

Status

Available

Call number

813.6

Genres

Children's Books

Collection

Peabody School Library

Publication

Kids Can Press (2017), Edition: Illustrated, 32 pages

Description

This delightful picture book from Ashley Spires, bestselling author of The Most Magnificent Thing, perfectly depicts what children go through when confronted with something difficult. With humor and endearing artwork, Spires sensitively portrays Lou procrastinating, making excuses, imagining alternatives and denying she cares. Ultimately, Lou faces her fear, and although she fails, the effort empowers her, encouraging a growth mindset. All the while, Lou's friends model compassionate friendship by offering to teach her how to climb and then moving the game. This book makes a perfect choice for a character education discussion about courage or resilience, or a life-skills lesson on facing challenges. The story also promotes the joy of imaginative play in the outdoors.--Provided by publisher.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Carlathelibrarian

This is a great book for all the little girls out there who do not want to be a princess, but get out there with her friends and play. She is a brave, fearless little girl who plays pirates, rescues wild animals, runs faster than airplanes and just has fun trying new things. Until the day that her

friends want to use the big tree in the backyard as a pirate ship. Lou has never climbed a tree and does not think she can do. Her friends are having so much fun in the tree. They invite her to join them, they offer to help her get up the tree, they encourage her to try, all to no avail. Lou has more excuses than carter has pills. She finally realizes that she is missing out on so much fun, just because she is afraid to try. She does not make it up the first time she tries, but she does not give up, she will try again tomorrow. This is a great book for little girls. The illustrations are wonderful. They show the fun and excitement on the faces of Lou and her friends when they are playing. They are detailed, vibrant and have feeling. The message of not giving up, especially before even trying, is very clear. The fact that her friends encourage her and offer to help is also important to show about loyalty to others as well as kindness. Lou finally realizes that she can not let fear rule her life and that is something we all need to hear. A great book for community, school and classroom libraries. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

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