Description
On the morning of their father’s birthday, twins Mathew and Mathilda race down the stairs in anticipation of preparing their father a wonderful breakfast bonanza. But when they arrive at the kitchen, they find their little sister Zoey looking very glum while sitting alone at the table. When they prod their sister, Zoey replies that she can’t make and create things as grand as her bigger siblings—she’s younger and smaller and can’t make gifts as special as theirs! Mathew and Mathilda are lovely, encouraging siblings, reassuring Zoey that handmade card she has made for their dad is, in fact, splendid! The twins then share that sometimes they felt sad about not being to do certain things when they were younger, but their teacher had them create special “cheer-me-up” boxes, filled with notes of reminders of the amazing things they can do! Tying shoelaces and learning to tell time—those would be the sorts of things that would go in a box—happy reminders that tell you are capable of great things, no matter how young you are.
With Zoey still not believing her brother and sister, she grumbles off, not appreciating being called a “grumpy groundhog.” Still in a funk, readers watch as Zoey slowly but surely comes to realize that she can do all sorts of things, even as a kindergartener, and maybe discover a way to create a unique cheer-me-chest all on her own. A fully realized story, balanced perfectly with Grimard’s graceful, delicate and familiar-feeling artwork, Zoey’s Cheer-Me-Up Chest is an altogether genial story with compassionate siblings and great turn of character realization that might inspire young readers to create their very own cheer-up treasure boxes!
A heartwarming celebration of creativity, self-confidence, and discovering the many things you can already do. Perfect for every child who has ever felt like the littlest one... and for anyone who needs a reminder that small wins are worth cheering for!"
Author Bio
Gabrielle Grimard is the illustrator of the critically acclaimed books The Library Bus, Stolen Words, and Not My Girl, and the author–illustrator of Lila and the Crow. The Library Bus was a finalist for Canada’s prestigious Governor General’s Award, and her other books have been included on the USBBY Outstanding International Books List, the CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens List, and more. She lives in Canada.
