The review
"Everybody needs help sometimes." It's Molly's first time at a food pantry and the book thoughtfully shows that it's ok to accept help, and to give back when you can.
This book introduces the concept of food insecurity to a young reader, which according to the author, has dramatically increased during the course of the pandemic.
Molly, together with the characters she meets at the food pantry, are struggling with the uncomfortable reality of being in need. Molly is curious as she tries to piece together the changes in her life - an emptier fridge, going to the food pantry for the first time, and also seeing how her classmate Caitlin feels a sense of shame at being recognised in the queue. But as Molly's mother says, "everyone needs a little help sometimes," the book gently reminds us that receiving help is ok, and not to feel bad about getting assistance when you need it.
I'm slowly building exposure for Foolet when it comes to understanding privilege and also to provide openings around difficult topics. This book is very carefully crafted, from the soft illustrations and the relatively light mood despite the heaviness of the topic.