Stories for Growing
Cover of I Walk with VanessaAges 4 to 8
KindnessEmpathy

I Walk with Vanessa

Kerascoët

Ages 4 to 8
About this age guidance

Kirkus: 4–8; Publishers Weekly: 4–8

The age tag follows Kirkus review. Other sources may suggest different ages. This is audience guidance, not an independent reading level.

Included in a librarian’s list of picture books about bullying. The librarian calls the wordless story a way to talk about empathy and courage, and says it shows small actions can lead to big changes.

In this wordless picture book, a new student named Vanessa is targeted by a bully on her way home and runs home crying. A classmate who saw it is troubled all evening. The next morning she walks to Vanessa’s house and invites her to walk to school together. More children join them until a crowd arrives together. Adult back matter gives tips for talking with children about bullying.

Good forNoticing other people’s feelingsBullyingFeeling left out

Recommended by Children’s Library Lady

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What children see in the story

The girl does not just feel bad. She goes to Vanessa’s door the next morning and offers company, and her small act brings the other children along. The girl notices how upset Vanessa is, and the drawings show her unable to settle that night because of it.

Why it’s on these shelves

Kindness
A girl sees Vanessa, the new student, run home in tears after a bully targets her. The next morning she goes to Vanessa’s house and offers to walk to school together, and other children join them along the way.
Empathy
The girl who saw what happened to Vanessa cannot let it go. She tells her friends, lies awake that night thinking about it, and the next day does something about it.

Why pick it up?

Vanessa arrives at school surrounded by a smiling crowd, and the bully leaves.

A note for parents

Wordless: moments come from professional and librarian descriptions of the pictures, not from text. Kirkus: tips for children and language for adults follow the story. PW says the story is less about bullying itself than about stepping up as an ally. Parents of sensitive 3 to 4 year olds may want to preview the first spreads, where Vanessa is bullied and cries.

Where this recommendation comes from

Children’s Library Lady

Included in a librarian’s list of picture books about bullying. The librarian calls the wordless story a way to talk about empathy and courage, and says it shows small actions can lead to big changes.

Read Children’s Library Lady’s recommendation
Sources and review status

We have checked source descriptions and drafted the value mapping. We have not personally reviewed the full book. The value labels, situation assignments, and parent notes remain provisional.

Publisher or literacy resource · Original recommendation

Our explanation of the value fit is separate from the original reviewer’s judgment. Their inclusion here does not imply an endorsement of Stories for Growing.

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