Come With Me by Holly M.McGhee ill Pascal Lamaître
Holly M. McGhee has a way of revealing the heart of a story and connecting its essence with her audience. Come With Me is a picture book with a straightforward message that resonates with readers young and old: sometimes the world can be a scary place. When confronted with frightening news reports, one little girl feels powerless. Her parents respond with the gentle invitation "Come With Me.” Each adult finds a way to introduce this child to her world and to help her to see the kindness, courage, and bravery that can be found in quiet everyday acts of understanding, respect, and courtesy. McGhee chooses to set the story in a bustling metropolitan city. I love this. I love the premise that peace and a sense security can be found anywhere. Even, or perhaps especially, kindness can be discovered in a big city. Thank you Holly and Pascal for this gift to children, families and communities. it's a gentle and comforting reassurance nestled within the warm embrace of two covers. |
Come With Me: New York City
My memories of that place awakened in me a sense of nostalgia as I savored McGhee's simple text and Lamaître muted color palette. It's a story filled with warmth and compassion. Each page provides plenty of white space, allowing time to appreciate the softly rendered drawings. While my time in the Lower East Side enriched my appreciation for the story, this picture book also rekindled memories of my time with that community. I compared photos of New York City life with Lamaître's illustrations. Each representation, regardless of the medium, portrays a strong sense of home, community, and interconnection.
Come With Me: South Texas Coast
No matter where children live, adults can find ways to help them feel safe and secure. A follow-up activity for this book could be to create a personal version of Come With Me. Using photographs and/or simple drawings, children can create a journal of images depicting moments when they have experienced insight and understanding. A Come With Me journal may not only invite a child to take the next step, but may serve as an invitation for other youngsters to join in. |
Companion Books
Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curto | Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo | Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña ill by Christian Robinson |