IT WILL BE OK: A story of empathy, kindness, and friendship is a picture book that teaches kids and adults (I’m one of those adults) that just because it isn’t scary or worrisome to you doesn’t mean it’s the same for all. It teaches patience, understanding, and friendship using simple, gentle words from Lisa Katzenberger and lovely illustrations from Jaclyn Sinquett.
Zebra and Giraffe are friends who meet every day to walk to the watering hole together. Today, though, something is different. Zebra cannot find Giraffe! Where is he? Well, Zebra hears Giraffe’s terrified whisper from up in a tree! (Pause for your kids to giggle here because Giraffe looks scared and a bit silly up in a tree! When do you ever see a giraffe hiding in a tree?) As we turn the page we learn why Giraffe is in a tree and why he is not going to come down no matter what Zebra says.
“I saw a spider,” Giraffe whispered.
Zebra does not have the same level of fright when it comes to spiders like Giraffe (or me!) and doesn’t understand why his friend is so scared. Giraffe is bigger, stronger, faster! He’s everything the spider isn’t. Why is he so afraid?
Now, those few pages may read unthoughtful, but as Zebra wonders how a big ol’ giraffe can be afraid of a tiny bug, he is actually encouraging Giraffe by telling him about all his great qualities. He may not fully understand, but his lifting-up words give Giraffe the courage to climb down from his hideaway.
Just like every great story if you’re going to talk about a spider in beginning, we better meet this spider before the ending. We do. Spider makes an appearance and almost stops Giraffe in his tracks, but then he remembers he is not alone, he is brave, and he doesn’t have to run.
“Spider, would you like to join —”
Giraffe shows appreciation for all Zebra did by doing the same for Spider as, this time, Spider runs off in fright. Giraffe decides to stand by and wait for Spider just as Zebra did for him.
Lisa Katzenberger gifted me with an advance, electronic copy of IT WILL BE OK and I’m so grateful to read her words. She’s a newly known author to me through the 12x12 Challenge. I appreciate her short, sweet story on how to be a good friend: you stay, you listen. Lisa gets this point across without blatantly saying it. She does this through Zebra, who perhaps doesn’t even realize it himself! Zebra is not completely understanding, but is encouraging. These are my favorite parts because Zebra looks like he’s dancing around (like nobody’s looking) and singing why he loves his friend so much! Then Zebra decides just to wait because they ALWAYS go to the watering hole together so why should today be any different? He’ll wait until Giraffe is ready.
Again, thank you Lisa for allowing me to read and review your story of empathy, kindness, and friendship. IT WILL BE OK: A Story of Empathy, Kindness, and Friendship publishes February 2, 2021 from Sourcebooks Kids.