For children, size is a status symbol. Yet looking at Kylie Bell, you’d be surprised by how unperturbed she is by her diminutive state. “Yep, the not-so-tallest one in the first grade,” she’ll tell you. There are disadvantages to being short, of course, and one of these happens to involve that nasty new boy Rusty Jacks, who delights in tormenting our heroine when he pleases. After finally standing up to the bully on a particularly vexing day, Kylie eventually does the right thing and gives him a place at her reading circle in class. Friendship is not too far behind. Aston utilizes an easygoing colloquial language that works for the most part but is unfortunately subject to a couple of perplexing hiccups here and there. Dormer’s deft hand and watercolors give the story a southwestern feel, playing with perspective and size to the book’s benefit. In the end, Kylie Bell and her “ladylike, rhino-sized” heart will charm any and all comers. Caring, not cloying. (Picture book. 4-8)
