Some, (actually, quite a few) picture book authors reliably create books that quickly become not only successful but special. Pat Z Miller is one such author, one I'm privileged to call my writing friend. Click on her name and to see many examples of her books: most fictional, some non-fiction, in prose and rhymes, for youngest audiences and for school age. In case the author's name doesn't ring a bell, think of NYT Bestseller BE KIND, or SOPHIE'S SQUASH, or WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE. The point I'm making is that this is a writer who takes tremendous care in turning good ideas and clever concepts into timeless books.
Writing about kids who are alone, being ONE, is not unusual. Many of the picture books with that theme take one of several approaches. Some work to distinguish being alone from being lonely. Others pursue stories of kids who are alone but long to engage with others, exploring ways to take such steps into a wider community. Some celebrate the vast world that can exist within an individual mind and heart.
BEAMING BOOKS, 2025
ONE CAN BE, written by Pat Z. Miller and illustrated by Annie Cron, takes a familiar premise and expands its potential into a story with multiple layers and depths. This is a charmingly multi-diminsional approach to a child who finds comfort and joy in being alone with her books and other creative outlets, including her dog, plants, etc. She recognizes, though, that there can be fun and purpose in joining forces with others. In her case she is neighbor to a vibrant outdoor park, and she notes the fun being had there. She also notes the lack of books there. Joining in community shouldn't require leaving behind the things you love while on your own, right?
In several spreads she channels her creativity to design and attempt to build a little free library. Ideas and effort abound, but this "one" realizes that friendships can offer company and collaboration. The design and building process she instigates had whispers, to a degree, of Miller's A GIRL CAN BUILD ANYTHING (great to pair these titles). As the park folks interact with "one", other things build as well, on all fronts: friendships, love of reading, pet connections.
Nothing is compromised or sacrificed or challenged. This ONE title, with its ONE central character, its ONE park, and its ONE idea allowed to blossom into many petals, is a remarkable accomplishment of text (fewer than 100 words, perfectly selected and paced) with subtle and gentle art that allows for added storytelling through visual detail, page placement, and design.
In terms of text, Miller has cleverly used a very formal, almost distancing phrase (Think BCC period dramas), as in "One can breathe." "One can think." What prevents this from being a stuffy, off-putting turn of phrase is the opening page text that clarifies through punctuation, line breaks, and phrasing, who ONE is. It invites readers to recognize that ONE is this young girl. Or ONE just might be the reader themselves.
"One.
Alone.
No one else nearby."
And these simple opening lines, typed on this bare page, could almost read as ominous (Cue the dramatic music.) Instead, though, the soft-edged, pastel, warmly-detailed illustration elements reveal an almost dreamy state of bliss. Speaking as someone who often seeks refuge in isolation and reading books, this ONE's tree refuge is one I'd love to have and inhabit.
ONE CAN BE deserves more than one reading! The release date is in September. I always hesitate to feature a book before release, since those I've managed to persuade to read will need to wait. Yet this is a great example of why advance reviews are helpful. This can be preordered now, or requested at your local library and/or indie bookstore. Those generate data to the publisher to assure adequate first printing, perhaps even increasing the first print run. Those of us who love books as pieces of art and literature HATE thinking of all this as a business, but it is, indeed. So if my comments on the book resonate with you or someone you love, consider placing those advance requests and trust me that you won't be disappointed when you're time arrives to hold your copy and read for yourselves.
I was thrilled that Pat had an advance copy for me to read fort this review. Another reason I prefer to wait until actual publication is to experience the physical book, not a PDF or digital version. The tactile quality of the book is an experience in itself, and all are not equal. In this case, despite it being a soft-bound uncorrected proof, I was not surprised that the high standards of BEAMING BOOKS meant the book itself is a joyful experience. Colors, finishes, and text placement all create a welcoming, almost melodic journey through this sharing and growth experience.
