by Fred Small
illustrated by Alison Brown
 
At the end of a child’s busy, “knockabout day” a carer tucks them up and sings them a song “no one sang to me”. The song begins, “You can be anybody you want to be. You can love whoever you will” as we follow a child’s day, roaming freely through their neighbourhood, striding along a costal path, playing in and out of rock pools with friends, watching a toddler’s first steps in the park. The illustrations offer warm, heart-filling, vistas of everyday play and love. There is a single bleaker double page where colours gives way to black and white as two children name call and taunt- but the protagonist walks by and the sweep of joyful colours resume, ending with the simple effective couplet: “and the only measure of your words and your deeds / will be the love you leave behind when you’re done”. Based on a song, now an anthem, by travelling folk singer, Fred Small. Scan the Q-code at the back for a reading and the original song. ‘A very sweet story and a clear message that somehow isn’t didactic. The poetry makes it more memorable. A strong yes!’ (Deborah, Letterbox Library reviewer, author of Gender Diversity and Inclusion in Early Years Education). Age 4-7, Paperback 24pp
 
Themes: LGBTQ+