In the hands of another author/illustrator, Little One Step could have become a trite tribute to self-help cliches, especially considering the quote on the back cover, "Every journey begins with Little One Step." But one glance at the subtly expressive watercolor illustrations (all in warm shades of yellow) washed away any cynicism that was lurking within me.
When three duckling brothers are lost in the forest, the youngest of them gets scared and begins to wonder if he can go on. "My legs feel all wobbly." That's when his oldest brother shows him the One Step. By concentrating on lifting one foot, putting it down, and then starting again with the next foot, the little duckling masters this new skill so well that his brother dubs him "Little One Step." Each time he gets distracted by the tallness of the trees or the distance they must travel, his brother reminds him about the One Step. And he learns that keeping his focus on the very small thing he feels confident doing allows him to accomplish more than he ever thought he could.
Yes, this is another picture book about a lost duck. But while Come Along, Daisy and Little One Step are both charming and warm, they are distinctly unique. If you are reading to older and younger children at the same time, it might be fun to read the books back-to-back and chat with the older child about the similarities and differences. (It's never too early to compare and contrast, right?) Meanwhile, the younger child can take this opportunity to waddle around the house practicing his quacking skills.
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