Little by Little

Michael might be young, but he’s got a big heart and a strong sense of right and wrong. He knows it’s right to help people when they need it—but what can he do when so many people need help?

When Michael finds out about an upcoming youth conference, he sees his chance to learn more about helping others. But when he gets to the conference, he’s the youngest person there! And the speaker on stage is saying things about his community that aren’t true. Will Michael be brave enough to use his voice to stand up for what he knows is right?

Little by Little is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel about how one Indigenous child sparked change and inspired others.

Sonya Ballantyne (she, they) is a Swampy Cree writer, filmmaker, and speaker based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her work explores contemporary and futuristic portrayals of Indigenous women and girls. Her award-winning projects include the documentary Nosisim (2024 Barry Lank Award) and the graphic novel Little by Little (In The Margins, 2025 Top Ten Title). Sonya is also the author of the children’s book Kerri Berry Lynn, contributor to anthologies such as Pros and (Comic) Cons and Women Love Wrestling, and co-director of The Death Tour, which was screened at Cannes in 2023 with a world premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival in 2024.

Toben Racicot is a comic book writer and letterer whose work has appeared in Crown & Anchor, Pilgrim's Dirge, Beastlands, Sidequest, and Juniper. He dreamt of being an aerospace engineer before failing high school physics. Now he studies role-playing games at the University of Waterloo.

• In the Margins Book Award, Top Ten Books ListCommended 2025
• In the Margins Book Award, Social Justice & Advocacy ListCommended 2025