Alouette Elementary teacher-librarian Briana Magnuson recommends by Kerascoët for Pink Shirt Day.
I love this book because it shows how a simple act of kindness can make a big difference. I Walk with Vanessa is a wordless picture book that tells a powerful story about empathy, inclusion, and standing up for others.
When young Vanessa is treated unkindly, another student notices and decides to take action. Her small choice to be an ally sparks a snowball effect – one by one, more and more students join in, showing that kindness is contagious. Without words, the illustrations in the story allow students to interpret the emotions and actions in their own way, making it a great tool to foster discussion and self-reflection. It beautifully illustrates how one person’s choice to stand up for someone can create a lasting impact.
One of my favourite things about this book are the final pages, which are separate from the story itself. The very last page provides a set of lessons for children on how they can help someone who is being bullied, making it a great discussion starter in elementary classrooms.
It also includes helpful words for adults to use when guiding these conversations, such as “ally,” “brave,” “bystander,” and “bullying.” These explanations are a great way to introduce key ideas about kindness and standing up for others.
Perfect for Pink Shirt Day or any time of year, this story is a beautiful reminder that kindness spreads.
I Walk with Vanessa is available in .
- Continue choosing kindness with the (click the images to browse).