Rosie is wearing her red cape, sitting up in her thinking tree wondering what she’ll be when she grows up. People are always asking her that question, but she doesn’t have an answer. She’s not old enough to be a pilot, or a paramedic, or a dog groomer. But she does believe that she can still do lots of terrific things right now.
So when she goes for a walk with her dad and they pass a food bank, Rosie knows that she can do something pro-active while she’s still a kid. She can tell this is a special place and when she is there she feels useful and special too. But when Rosie bumps into a friend who seems embarrassed to be there with his family, she must figure out a way to make him feel better.
Rosie tilts her head this way and that to look at the situation from the perspective of someone needing to use the food bank and comes up with a plan to help her friend and the food bank at the same time.
Rosemary McCarney’s picture books consistently impart positive messages and, in Being Me, Rosie the Red is a great vehicle for teaching kids about food banks and that those who avail themselves of its offerings are no less than those who have enough food to eat without help.
– CanLit for Little Canadians
This is a story with a wonderful message about making a difference.
– City Parent
The illustrations are wonderful...The colour is lush and the drawings propel the story in in all the right places.
– Resource Links
An utterly charming and deftly crafted story... "Being Me" is especially and enthusiastically recommended for children ages 4 to 7, and would prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.
– Midwest Book Review
[The Rosie the Red] series presents examples of real life experiences our students face. It can be embedded throughout the curriculum. The messages are terrific and are suited to children of all ages... This could be used to develop a school wide anti-bullying initiative and a commitment to social justice. You can integrate social justice, language, arts, drama, health, music and more. The possibilities are endless.
– ETFO Voice