I loved this wordless picture book about being a friend to someone that is being bullied. I'm always drawn to this kind of book when school approaches.

Wordless and indeed very simple as the title suggests. It's a book worth going over more than once to spot the bully (in his Where's Waldo shirt).

There are certainly more nuanced portrayals of elementary school bullying, but this would be good jumping off point to talk to kids about what they can do if they witness bullying. ( )

This book is appropriate for kindergarten - fifth grade. This book is about a girl who gets bullied and her friend at first is unsure how to help, but then she comes up with a plan on how to stop it. I thought this book was extremely heartwarming. Normally with a picture book like this, I would say it's mainly for lower grades, but I think that any story about kindness and standing up against bullying is important for any age. I would use this book in a unit about bullying and awareness. ( )

A little girl is at school, she does not have any friends, and she walks back home alone. Then, a little boy bullies her. The little girl cries and runs home. Another girl watches everything, follows the little girl quietly, returns home, and thinks about how to help the little girl. After deliberating all evening and night, she knocks on the little girl’s door the following day. What happened to the little girl and the girl who wanted to help?

We are always looking for wordless picture books, and when someone recommended this, we jumped in. The book addresses bullying at school, and it will work for both the bullied and the bully. The illustrations by the duo are lovely, and children can easily follow what’s going on in the story. We had one issue of stereotyping portrayal of characters, but for which this book deserves all the laurels. The advice at the end is an excellent close to the reader.

I Walk with Vanessa is a great addition to a kid’s library to understand and help with a menace - bullying. ( )

Independent Reading Level: Grades P-3
Awards & Distinctions: ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2022. Commended, 2019.
CCBC Choices. Selection, 2019.
Charlotte Huck Award, 2015-2022. Commended, 2019. ( )