I Can Help

Reach for this book when your child comes home feeling conflicted about a social interaction or when you suspect they might be following the crowd instead of their heart. It speaks directly to the painful transition from the innocent desire to help a friend to the stinging pressure of peer judgment. The story follows Maya, a young girl who initially enjoys helping her classmate Kyle, who has Down syndrome, until she begins to distance herself to fit in with other peers. It is a deeply honest look at the messy reality of childhood friendships, the weight of regret, and the courage it takes to seek forgiveness. For parents of 4 to 8 year olds, it provides a gentle but firm mirror for discussing how our choices shape our character and how we can heal when we have let someone down.