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  • The Things We Hold by Vanessa Lewis-Porter book cover
  • The Things We Hold by Vanessa Lewis-Porter book cover
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The Things We Hold

by Vanessa Lewis-Porter

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A child’s experience of housing insecurity

$19.75 USD
$32.92 USD $19.75 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Author recognition

    Winner of Lee & Low's New Voices Award

    The metadata identifies the credited author as the winner of Lee & Low's New Voices Award.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A child’s experience of housing insecurity

Lilly’s school days bring everyday pressures into view: being teased for wearing the same clothes, and facing a field-trip fee her family cannot afford. The book also addresses the harder reality she keeps private—her family has no home and sometimes sleeps in their car. By placing housing insecurity alongside these familiar school experiences, the picture book opens space to talk about poverty, exclusion, and empathy. Its focus on what Lilly carries inside gives the story a clear connection between visible moments at school and circumstances others may not know about.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children and families looking for a picture book about housing insecurity and poverty.
  • Educators seeking a story to support discussion of empathy and classmates’ different circumstances.

Themes

Housing insecurityPovertySchool and belongingKindness and empathy

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

A tender picture book about a young girl navigating housing insecurity--a beautiful reminder to always lead with kindness and empathy.

At first glance, you wouldn't guess that Lilly holds a lot inside. Like her embarrassment when she gets teased for wearing the same clothes to school every day. And her disappointment when her teacher hands out permission slips for a field trip with a fee, which Lilly knows her mama can't afford. And the heaviest secret she holds is that she and her family don't have a home and sometimes sleep in their car.

Winner of Lee & Low's New Voices Award, debut author Vanessa Lewis-Porter brings her experience as an educator to share the challenges some of her students faced in school. Coupled with emotive illustrations by award-winning artist Cornelius Van Wright, The Things We Hold is a gentle reminder to always lead with kindness and empathy because you never know what a person is holding inside.

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In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

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Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

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