I Know a Lady: A Picture Book About Feeling Special for Kids

by Charlotte Zolotow, James Stevenson (Illustrator)

If you are lucky you know someone like the elderly lady in this book. Whenever she sees you--coming home from school, trick-or-treating at Halloween, or walking with your dog in the wood--she makes you feel special. She is someone you admire. She is someone you love.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship

24 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Charlotte Zolotow was a distinguished American writer, editor, and publisher who made a lasting mark on children's literature. Over her career, she authored around 70 picture book texts and edited works by prominent writers including Paul Zindel, Robert Lipsyte, and Francesca Lia Block. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she studied writing at the University of Wisconsin Madison and later joined Harper & Bros in New York, where she worked her way up from secretary to publisher. Her own books were published by over 20 houses, and she became known for her poetic and emotionally insightful texts. Zolotow’s most celebrated works include When the Wind Stops, William’s Doll, and River Winding. Her story "Enemies" was featured in The Big Book for Peace alongside other notable authors. She lived for many years in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Her legacy endures not only through her own writing but also through the Charlotte Zolotow Award, established in 1998 to honor outstanding picture book texts. Her contributions helped shape modern children's literature with sensitivity, elegance, and enduring relevance.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet tribute to an elderly neighborhood woman who gardens, bakes, pets dogs, and is kind to all she meets. I'm not sure if the word mensch can apply to females, but this lady is ALL THAT, and a terrific role model to boot! Throw in some lovely watercolors by James Stevenson, and you have a pretty swell book.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoever is writing these blurbs for Zolotow's books is good, as they're usually concise and focused on the main themes, and much better than I could do, esp. in this case. Anyway:

I'm surprised at myself, a bit, but I have to admit that Stevenson's illustrations are good for this. Sure they're kinda scribbly and cartoony, but if they were more realistic or pretty or something they'd make the book too heavy, too laden or fraught if you know what I mean. These add just a dash of joy, which leavens the moving text so it doesn't add up to maudlin.

I also have to admit that I'm surprised I used so many adjectives in my comment. Is it because Zolotow used so few? This, especially, is a good example of show v. tell, and simplicity, etc.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often associate James Stevenson with those wacky books about Grandpa and Uncle Wainey, so it was a surprise to see his softer side come out in his pictures for this Charlotte Zolotow book. The text describes a figure many children can recognize from their own neighborhoods: an old lady who lives alone and interacts with kids in various ways over the course of a year's holidays and celebrations. The text is spare, but the overall story is a poignant portrait of an inter-generational friendship that has made a strong impact on the young narrator. I'm not certain that kids can appreciate this book as well as adults, but I really loved it.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet!

[Shirleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to be like this old lady!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!! What a sweet sentiment and I love the colorful pictures!

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not crazy about James Stevenson's style for this book, but overall it's ok.

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book moved me using very few words.

[Lita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be an excellent resource for teaching about seasons and different things that go along with the different seasons. In the story, the old lady gives her neighbor different flowers for each season. In some seasons, she bakes goodies for the narrator of the story. It has great pictures that show how the outside scenery changes with each passing season.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book describes a lovely old woman. I think students may be able to relate to this book because the old woman may be similar to their mothers, grandmothers, or even aunts. The old lady works in the garden. She is always friendly to the children. I think everyone can picture a person in their life that is like the woman in the book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discusses the kindness of neighbors and how we can pass along the value of hospitality. I did this for 2 nursing homes and gave out a flower stem to each resident with the story. It was very well received. Small number of words per page, good for memory care units. Also good for teaching children.

[Katie]

AR BL: 2.5
Points 0.5

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet portrait of a single older lady and how she befriends the kids on her street. I love this positive image of seniors, of singles, of intergenerational connections.

[Buxmont Uu]

CMMW 36
CC 4

[pati · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would really like to know this lady! She is sweet and kind!

[Hillvan]

NC750L

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to teach children about how special our elderly generation is!

[Miss Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book that I would like to add to my personal library. I hope I am the "lady"to some child when I grow old ;-)

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a wonderful book because it encourages kids to appreciate the nice things people do for them, as well as give them a positive role model. Good read aloud for primary grades.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story about how a little old lady impacts the life of a little girl.

Ages: 4 - 8

Cleanliness: mentions Halloween and shows costumes - is one of a ghost. Shows a Christmas tree.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story about a little girl and the nice older lady who lives in her neighborhood.

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

The late American philosopher Gareth B. Matthews reviewed this book for the column "Thinking in Stories" he produced for the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children at Montclair State University (available here: https://www.montclair.edu/iapc/review...). He wrote, "Near the end of 'I Know a Lady' Sally thinks a remarkable thought. Wondering what her old friend was like when she was a girl, Sally also wonders 'if some old lady she knew had a garden and cooked and smiled and patted dogs and fed cats and knew her name.' One reason Sally’s thought is remarkable is that it includes the realization­ hard for a child to manage, but then hard, too, for an adult-that old people are not essentially old, but were once, in their very own persons, children.... At the very end of the story Sally has this thought: If she were an old lady and the old lady were a little girl, she, Sally, would love her neighbor just as she loves her now.... One function of literature is to get us to try such thought-experiments, to entice us to, in Emily Dickinson’s phrase, 'dwell in possibility.' Even when we don’t entirely succeed, the effort may be worthwhile."

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about a young girl's friendship with an older woman in her neighborhood. A heart-touching look at how fulfilling such generational relationships can be and may help a child see themselves in someone else's shoes. Highly recommended.

[Valeria Vlasova · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book about an old lady and girl tells what this lady does. Girls say that this lady is alone and that she really nice and always gives something to her and her friends.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up for intergenerational friendship. A simple story about a girl who has a friendly old lady as a neighbor and follows their interactions through the year.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute!

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 3 out of 5]

Open Library.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book that gives children much to ponder and appreciate.

[Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book SPOKE to me. I’m still emotional over it.

[fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I wonder what she was like when she was a little girl.”