HANNA ASKS FOR HELP

Hanna learns the importance of giving and receiving help.

Some things come easily to Hanna, like soccer, cricket, tennis; others, like math, have always been difficult for her to grasp. Embarrassed about her confusion, Hanna pretends that she understands her schoolwork, which only makes her more perplexed. That’s when she meets Help, a tiny blue ball with a burst of colorful rings. Help shows Hanna that asking for assistance can make things feel less overwhelming. Summoning her courage, Hanna approaches her teacher, Miss Khan, who carefully explains the lesson. Hanna finally understands and, newly empowered, helps her friends when she can. Once more, Percival explores a topic that nearly all readers will relate to: feeling frustrated and embarrassed while attempting to master something that seemingly comes easily to others. The author/illustrator clearly lays out the steps toward self-advocacy: Hanna learns to ask for help with smaller things like finding a missing toy before tackling more complex ones. As in previous series installments, Percival alternates grayscale illustrations with pops of color, capturing Hanna’s emotions and personifying Help, giving her internal monologue a meaningful concrete visual. Hanna has brown skin and black hair; Mom presents white, while Dad is dark-skinned. Miss Khan is brown-skinned and wears a hijab.

A child-friendly exploration of complex, abstract feelings.