What does it mean to be tough? Kim finds out in this moving mother-daughter story about family hardship, vulnerability and love, perfect for fans of Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors . Kim's mum is tough. Everyone says so. She can deal with unruly customers at the Red Rooster with a snap of her fingers. Kim is tough, too. She doesn't need to wear a hat to keep her ears warm. And she can make soup all by herself, even without the stove. Kim and her mum are tough. But Kim is learning that sometimes toughness doesn't look like what you'd expect. In this tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, Kim and her mother learn that in order to support and truly take care of each other, they need to be tough -- and that sometimes being tough means showing vulnerability and asking for help. K-Gr 4—Readers learn, through the perspective of a young girl, how she manages on days her mother cannot get out of bed. Her independence has come from necessity: She can make her own lunch with whatever is left, she can anticipate what dinner will be, she can look out the window to see how other children walking to school are dressed and if there is a "cloud coming out of their mouths," indicating cold. Throughout, she's anxious about a field trip that requires money and a signed permission form. Readers see how she swallows the hurt she feels when a boy makes fun of her lunch. Still, this young girl is resourceful, positive, and "tough like Mum." She prepares cold tomato soup for both of them and says, "Eat. You'll feel better." The mother does, signs the slip, and checks the box requesting financial aid. It's not clear if the mother is depressed, but it is obvious she has great burdens weighing her down, and yet it is also clear there is a deep, loving connection between mother and daughter and both are doing their best to cope. The appealing art, done with gouache and colored pencil, has a primitive feel. The perspective, slightly askew, may be the artist's message that things are not quite as they should be in this household. Heartwrenching and hopeful, the book is oblique enough that some children may not catch the subtleties; educators may want to unpack its many messages about resilience slowly. VERDICT Children who can identify with this little girl will, perhaps, find hope and strength in hearing a story similar to their own.—Maggie Chase, Boise State Univ., ID One of CCBC ’s Best Books for Kids and Teens, Fall 2021 A Canadian Children's Book Centre Favourite Book of the Year (2021) “Powerful in its vulnerability.” — Kirkus Reviews “Mok offers simple, carefully shaded gouache and colored-pencil art, underlining this sensitive portrayal of the bond between one mother and child navigating difficult circumstances and whether to welcome help.” —Publishers Weekly "Powerful stuff." —Wall Street Journal "This tender tale imparts that asking for help shows toughness, too." —New York Times “Lana Button gently explores the pressures that kids feel when they have to take on the roles that the adults in their lives can’t.” —Globe and Mail “Readers should come away from the story realizing that staying ‘tough’ is not the only answer.” —Horn Book LANA BUTTON was born in the tiny town of St. Stephen, New Brunswick. She trained in theater, performing on TV, film and stage, and now works in early childhood education. Lana is the author of numerous books for children including Willow's Whispers and What if Bunny's NOT a Bully? Lana and her husband live in Burlington, Ontario, with their dog and their cat, and they have three amazing daughters who are all grown up, but will thankfully still listen to picture books. CARMEN MOK is an award-winning illustrator with prior experience in product design, hand-lettering and graphic design. After studying studio art at University of Waterloo and design at Sheridan College, she decided to dedicate herself to children's illustration. She is the illustrator of Grandmother's Visit , written by Betty Quan, and Waiting for Sophie , written by Sarah Ellis. Grandmother's Visit was selected as the picture book honor title of the 2018-2019 Asian/Pacific American Award, and made the 2019 short list for the IODE Ontario Jean Throop Book Award. Carmen lives in St. Catharines, Ontario.