FAITH'S FRECKLES

In Hinds-Perry and Perry-Knights’ picture book, a young girl realizes that the freckles she hates can be seen by others as beautiful.

Faith is upset about how everyone makes fun of her freckles: “They laugh and point and say that they make my face look dirty.” She even uses the word disgusting to describe them herself. Fortunately, her best friend, McKenzie, doesn’t take part in the ridicule. Faith reluctantly attends McKenzie’s birthday party, but when she arrives, the other girls pick on her again. She flees, but McKenzie goes after Faith and tells her that her freckles are part of what makes her special. Faith realizes that if a friend can see her beauty, maybe she can see it, too. Although bullying and body-shaming are complicated topics, this account of Faith’s self-esteem journey may offer young readers hope. The authors use a simple first-person narrative to depict Faith’s shifting perspective in a way that feels authentic to youngsters’ concerns. Kirk’s full-color cartoon illustrations depict a brown-skinned Faith whose smile lights up her face; McKenzie’s skin is also brown, and others are shown with a range of skin tones. Readers are likely to empathize with both main characters and may be encouraged by McKenzie’s courage to stand up for their own friends.

A simple, upbeat narrative about the healing power of friendship.