The Bright Side

Praise

★ “The author, whose experiences mirror the character’s, honestly acknowledges the physical and emotional difficulties of the family’s situation while still leaving room for joy and avoids evoking feelings of pity by granting full agency to the sympathetic lead. The art is blocky and simple, with great use of repetition and subtle but powerful facial expressions . . . An honest yet uplifting and deeply empathetic child’s-eye view of houselessness.” —Kirkus, starred review

★ ”Lively multimedia illustrations colorfully combine pencil, ink, collected textures, and digital paint to contribute subtle but powerful details that expand on the text . . . A sensitive story infused with optimism and perseverance, this will encourage wholesome conversation with children of all socioeconomic backgrounds; it’s an essential purchase.” —School Libray Journal, starred review

“When the child eventually enters school, they quickly run afoul of classroom rules and find themselves friendless, but they also find that they possess imagination, resilience, and the power to define ‘the bright side’ for themselves . . . Digitally enhanced, watercolor-textured pencil and ink drawings keep the mood relatively light throughout this reportorial, child’s-eye view of changing circumstances and financial precarity.” —Publishers Weekly