Lou and her friends
are BRAVE adventurers. They run FASTER than airplanes. They build MIGHTY
fortresses. They rescue WILD animals. But one day, when they re looking
for a ship to play pirates in, Lou s friend has an idea: Up there! The
tree can be our ship! Ummm ... says Lou. This is something new. Lou has
never climbed a tree before, and she s sure she can t do it. So she
tries to convince her friends to play a not-up-a-tree game. When that
doesn t work, she comes up with reasons for not joining them her arm is
sore, her cat needs a walk, you shouldn't climb so soon after eating.
Finally, she tells herself she doesn't want to climb the tree. But is
that true, or is this brave adventurer just too afraid to try?
This
delightful picture book from Ashley Spires, bestselling author of The
Most Magnificent Thing, perfectly depicts what children go through when
confronted with something difficult. With humor and endearing artwork,
Spires sensitively portrays Lou procrastinating, making excuses,
imagining alternatives and denying she cares. Ultimately, Lou faces her
fear, and although she fails, the effort empowers her, encouraging a
growth mindset. All the while, Lou's friends model compassionate
friendship by offering to teach her how to climb and then moving the
game. This book makes a perfect choice for a character education
discussion about courage or resilience, or a life-skills lesson on
facing challenges. The story also promotes the joy of imaginative play
in the outdoors.
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky 
