Overview
Izzy wants to be like Grandpa Mike and make people happy, but the results of Izzy's generosity toward the Braids Girl are not what she expected. What does the Braids Girl really want?
Young readers will cheer for Izzy when she at last realizes that the need for love and acceptance is what lies deep in the hearts of us all, no matter our age, race, gender, or social standing.
This story of compassion and revelation lovingly demonstrates that despite outward appearance, little souls are much more alike than they are different--and everyone has something of value to give.
Tim Ladwig's breathtaking artwork for children's picture books has earned him two finalist nominations for the Gold Medallion Award and a first-place tie for Publishers Weekly Religious Book of the Year, 1996.
While helping Grandpa Mike do volunteer work at a shelter for less fortunate people, Izzy tries to figure out the best way to help a girl her own age who is staying there.
Synopsis
Izzy wants to be like Grandpa Mike and make people happy, but the results of Izzy's generosity toward the Braids Girl are not what she expected. What does the Braids Girl really want?
Young readers will cheer for Izzy when she at last realizes that the need for love and acceptance is what lies deep in the hearts of us all, no matter our age, race, gender, or social standing.
This story of compassion and revelation lovingly demonstrates that despite outward appearance, little souls are much more alike than they are different--and everyone has something of value to give.
Tim Ladwig's breathtaking artwork for children's picture books has earned him two finalist nominations for the Gold Medallion Award and a first-place tie for Publishers Weekly Religious Book of the Year, 1996.
School Library Journal
Gr 1-4--When Izzy accompanies Grandpa Mike to the homeless shelter where he volunteers, she encounters a sad-looking girl with long, unraveling braids. Izzy is prepared to help the "Braids Girl" by serving her food, or by bringing her some of her old clothes and toys, but when the girl reaches out in friendship Izzy backs off, afraid that she might be mistaken for one of the homeless. It takes several visits and some gentle advice from Grandpa Mike before Izzy is able to offer her friendship to the Braids Girl, whose name she discovers is Susan. There are some delightful moments, such as in the end when Susan uses the beautiful rainbow laces on the shoes Izzy has given her to weave a friendship bracelet for Izzy. However, the author goes on to explain, "All she had in the world were the things I had given her, and she had given up the prettiest of those things so she could make a gift for me." This didacticism and lack of faith in readers' ability to extrapolate meaning from the story, as well as a somewhat condescending tone, detract from the book. It could be useful, however, for discussions of values in classrooms and between parent and child. The full-page watercolors enhance the story and, more vividly than the words, convey the many changing emotions of the characters, from perplexity, rejection, and disappointment to acceptance, affection, and joy.--Sue Norris, Rye Free Reading Room, NY