Little One Step [Paperback]

Simon James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2004

What do you do when you're little and lost and your legs feel all wobbly? Little One Step's older siblings show him how, by putting one foot in front of the other, he can find his way home after all. This book is an illustration of how every journey begins with just one step.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Three ducklings find themselves lost and alone in a wood. The youngest one is fearful of the distance home and overwhelmed by longing for his mama. His older siblings persuade him to try a game of "One Step" to encourage him to keep walking. Step by step, he continues, after a practice loop, to follow his brothers, who bestow the name "Little One Step" on him. When he gets discouraged, his brothers rally him with a reminder to continue the game. Soon the determined duckling passes his brothers and leads them straight across woods and fields to their relieved mama. Children will delight in-and identify with-the youngest duckling who watches his feet the whole time and chants "One step-one step-." Abundant white space surrounds the line drawings suffus-ed with buttery yellow and peach watercolor tones. The blending of the straightforward text with the simple drawings and color scheme keeps the focus directly on the ducklings and their plight. This satisfying tale about perseverance will find an eager audience at storytimes, on a parent's lap, and with independent readers.
Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. James complements his nicely simple text with ink-and-wash illustrations that seem to live and breathe and tell a story with tenderness and patience. His hero is the youngest of a group of three sibling ducks on their way to join their mother. When the youngest begins to tire, his sibs teach him a game for concentrating on walking. He succeeds so well at the game that, after a false start, a long trek, and a happy reunion with his mother, the little duck earns the title nickname. In a thoughtful, loving tone that avoids any hint of didacticism, Simon gently delivers a valuable lesson about concentration and determination that is embedded in common experience. His illustrations, if perhaps too similar in coloring, are as gentle as his words. Even very young children will be able to identify with Little One Step's pride in achievement; slighter older children will get a lesson in what being a good sibling actually means. Tim Arnold
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens Paperbacks (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844284670
• ISBN-13: 978-1844284672
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #966,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A little duckling is lost and frightened, May 23, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little One Step (Ala Notable Children's Books. Younger Readers (Awards)) (Hardcover)

A little duckling is lost and frightened - but by putting one foot in front of the other he learns a new strength and finds in himself a new ability to undertake a frightening journey. Little One Step is a very simple book with large words, easy pictures, and encouragement to kids to take one step at a time when facing something frightening or new.

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful book, October 28, 2011

By 

ck - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Little One Step (Paperback)

Simon James is such a creative author. . all of his books are pure delight. . our grand kids love the graphics as well.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for teaching young children to "keep trying"., January 25, 2011

By 

P. Stewart (mountain city, TN United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Little One Step (Ala Notable Children's Books. Younger Readers (Awards)) (Hardcover)

I bought this book to use in my job as a school counselor. I use this book when I go into Kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms when I talk about how important it is to keep trying. It's useful in helping kids understand that even when things are hard we can't give up. I would definitely buy it again and will recommend it to other elementary counselors.