When You Take a Step

by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

Each step leads to a new discovery in this evocative picture book about how mindfulness, peace, or change could be just around the corner.

To take a walk is to begin a journey. It can be an adventure or a chance to let your thoughts roam and be one with nature. It can be a time for daydreaming and pondering life’s many questions. It can be a time to reflect on the past or to stand up for a better future. So take a step and see where your journey will lead you!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Activism

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 27, 2022

About the author

Bethanie Deeney Murguia earned an MFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts. Bethanie lives with her human family and three dogs in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has created numerous picture books and the WAGNIFICENT early middle grade graphic novel series. She is curently working on a middle-grade graphic novel for Candlewick Press.

Reviews

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 2 out of 5]

O primeiro passo (São Paulo: Editora 34, 2024)

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is When You Take a Step by Bethanie Deeney Murguia, a thoughtful title on the incredible worlds we can discover by way of our very own feet.

When you take a step, you take control of your destiny. You can discover new worlds of knowledge, of friendship, of nature and community. You can forge trails, or walk in the history of those that came before. You can make change for many, or realize something new about yourself. There’s a whole lot of wonder to be found in the great wide world, and it begins with one single step… so, where will you go first?

Inspiring if slightly vague. Murguia’s sparse text and minimal illustrations, which are largely grayscale with pops of pinkish-red, do cover a wealth of opportunities that can be found simply by having the motivation to pursue them; in this, the title serves as a very gentle inspiration to go out and explore the world. However, it’s possible that the theme is a little too gentle, as it flits from thought to thought without lending visual or textual weight to each concept it introduces. For instance, Murguia does well to include those with different ambulatory means (such as wheelchairs or walkers), but only in crowd scenes, when those with unique “steps” could have been featured more prominently to make a statement on inclusive mobility. Pursuit of knowledge, appreciation of the natural world, and civil disobedience are all given similar treatment: cursorily touched on, but not explored to an extent that makes a true impact on the reader. This leaves the final product as uplifting, even encouraging, but not particularly rousing or motivational. The soft art is quite lovely, but similarly lacks a dynamic impact. Otherwise, the length is fine for storytime, and JJ did enjoy the soothing flow of the well-constructed text. Overall, absolutely worth a read, but best as a springboard for conversation on self-motivation rather than a contained lesson – Baby Bookworm approved.

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Step begins a journey. You go out into the world, you might crunch through leaves, or make a new friend. You get braver, you learn, you see things, you may even dream.

Brilliant illustrations in red and black and white - with only a few words on each page, the story unfolds and grows. When You Take a Step is inspirational and empowering. A diverse cast of characters.

Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Winterwhisper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Picture book for preschool story times and children's libraries everywhere. Great to share with you child while hiking, on a stop during a walk in the park, or while taking a break during a walk around town. Take a step into the journey of life.....

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be good to use when talking about making goals and trying new things.

[Mandy Robek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dedication is like no other I’ve seen. The illustrations are gray scale and white with the shoes a warm shade of red. So much encouragement.

[Clementine · Rating 3 out of 5]

perfectly serviceable, though i think the illustrations are much more interesting than the text.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and empowering

[Becca S · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn’t a bad book, it just seemed to be written for an older audience.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taking steps to grow, explore, and the next to last page also shoes marching for a cause.
Great digital illustrations in black and white with hints of red.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations sell this book with a narrative that's merely kind of OK.

[Donia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read to students for: Creative Illustration and Art with Books

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

A delightful read with my kiddos - basically a message of one foot in front of the other, just do it, get going, dare to dream, dream big, be calm and peaceful, think your thoughts then make your move, wander with purpose, and move!

A simple, crucial message for everyone.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murguia has created a simple yet deep picture book about how one step, both figurative and literal steps, can make a difference. And it could be a small change or big, but the steps are important and they all have a purpose. This book will be an amazing text to inspire young minds to not give up, to make a difference, and to make that step they may be afraid to make.

And I love the illustrations and purposeful use of pink color. The cartoon-style illustrations are realistic yet fun; I think readers will connect with them! Also, the use of pink on the shoes to its full page pink spread at the end was so well done to show the spread of the steps.

Full review with teaching tools: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/25538