PICTURE BOOKS

Make Way for Harriet and May

by Elizabeth Weiss Verdick (text) & illus. by Yana Kozak
WorthyKids. Jul. 2025. 32p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781546008132. PreS-Gr 1
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1–May prefers quiet, soft spaces and keeps her world small until she meets Harriet, a stuffed spider with eight comforting limbs. Together, they brave the store, endure stares at the park, and eventually find someone who gets it. Kozak’s warm, expressive illustrations offer grounding support for a story that occasionally stumbles in its rhythm and pacing. The varied font styles and sizes, while energetic, may distract some readers, but the book ultimately affirms the importance of friendship, self-advocacy, and embracing difference.
VERDICT A tender story of sensory sensitivity and connection that may resonate with kids who color outside the lines.
Reviewed by Rose Garrett , Jun 26, 2025

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