Lilly Takes the Lead

Sylvia Pantaleo is an associate professor of education at the University
of Victoria. She is the co-author of Learning with Literature in the
Canadian Elementary Classroom.

Lilly has two best friends: Theresa and Minna. Theresa is described as
fat, Minna is average, and according to her peers, Lilly is thin. Some
of the children at the school make unkind remarks about Theresa’s
stature. The Parent–Teacher Counsel at Lilly’s school is promoting
healthy living and has introduced a running program and nutrition
breaks. While practising for track-and-field, Kendall, one of the
children who teases Theresa about her weight, suffers an allergic
reaction. Lilly runs and calls 911, and Theresa administers
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, saving Kendall’s life. When Kendall’s
parents visit Lilly’s home to express their appreciation for her
actions, she points out that Theresa was the person who saved
Kendall’s life. The parents are incredulous because they believe that
Theresa does not like Kendall. The next day Lilly receives an award for
her bravery, but she informs the principal and the other students that
Theresa also deserves recognition for her actions.

Like the other chapter books in the First Novels series, this one
contains easy-to-read large print and many black-and-white
illustrations. This latest Lilly story introduces important issues of
responsibility, self-image, healthy living, peer pressure, and bullying.
However, the book’s didactic treatment of these social and personal
issues overwhelms the narrative. The story serves as a means to an
end—to convey the messages. Not a first-choice purchase.