A New York Times Bestseller
Autumn 2017 Kids’ Indie Next List
A 2017 Nerdy Book Club Winner
E.B. White Read-Aloud Finalist
Huffington Post Honor Book
2018 Anna Dewdney Read Together Honor Book
A Mighty Girl Best Book of 2017
Wisconsin’s 2018 Picture This Master List
Translations: Dutch, French, Japanese, Spanish, Turkish
Come With Me
Holly M. McGhee, illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre
As the news tells and tells and retells of anger and hatred, a little girl asks her parents what she can do to make the world a better place.
“Come with me,” says her papa.
“Come with me,” says her mama.
One step at a time, the little girl begins to understand that her part, as small as it may seem, matters to the world.
From author Holly M. McGhee and illustrator Pascal Lemaître comes this powerful and timely story of kindness, bravery, and friendship in the face of intolerance and uncertainty.
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"The words and pictures work seamlessly to deliver a powerful message: What we do matters ... Adults will understand that the most pressing context of the book is the need for tolerance toward displaced people around the world. That children won't get those larger implications is fine. All they need to hear is that they have a part to play, as "tiny" as it may be, in making the world a better place."
— R.J. Palacio, The New York Times Book Review
"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."
—PW ShelfTalker
"This lovely picture book, set to be published in early September but available for pre-order, offers smaller children a gentle, encouraging, age-appropriate response to the disturbing news reports."
— Maria Russo, The New York Times
"The author and illustrator… present huge emotions and abstracts with simplicity that makes them approachable."
—Susie Wilde, News & Observer (Raleigh)
"Holly M. McGhee writes a parable about a family pushing back against powerlessness with bravery and friendship. Pascal Lemaître's ink and watercolor artwork is spare and affecting, capturing the sincere, kind expressions of the people in the girl's neighborhood. A balm for sore souls."
—Emilie Coulter, Shelf Awareness
"In the wake of so much news about 'anger and hatred—/People against people,' a girl asks her parents what she can do to help the world. 'Come with me,' each tells her, a simple phrase that McGhee transforms into an emotionally rich proclamation about not giving into fear . . . By the final page, the girl feels reassured enough to extend the invitation to readers . . . this feels like an important first step."
—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