The basic message of this book is about how to help not feel helpless when you see someone getting bullied--how to speak out and make a difference, and sometimes when one person steps forward, others will also do so--and it can stop the silence, wich can stopt he problem. THe illustrations in the story are really unusual and really good--I really found them intriguing and kept my interest as a grown up reading the story. I would recommend highly for the 4-8 year old.

Really interesting artwork. This story is not sugar coated, it feels somewhat dark and the illustrations remind me of Dave McKean's work. As an adult reading this story, I am reminded of how I felt as a child. I'm not sure how a child would react to this story, but I felt very emotional reading it. I loved the saying "Look down and see what is. Now, look up and see what can be."

Lainey did not cry and she did not smile.
It was as though the others had taken what was inside her
and buried it along with her hat.
She collapsed onto her seat and picked up her pencil.
And from that girl came drawings of her sadness
that made Eliza feel shame.

This Shining Willow Award Nominee is a beautifully written story of a young girl learning to do what is right. The descriptive language and dreamy multi-modal images combine to create a truly wonderful reading experience.

This book has wonderful illustrations! It has a great message for kids too. My kids really enjoyed this book and so did I.

Wonderfully illustrated tale with an important moral for children.