This exceptional biographic tale of artist and writer Ruth Krauss is a story for every child in need of validation for their uniqueness. “Born / a baby / late at night / There’s / no parade / just crashing / rain.” The person who would become the author and illustrator well known for The Carrot Seed, A Hole Is to Dig, and A Very Special House is introduced to readers as a child who consistently “finds another way to be herself.” Whether riding a bicycle in her house, wearing her clothes backwards, or inventing new ways to play the violin, young Ruth Krauss creatively expressed herself, although not always in ways that were appreciated. Becoming a painter as an adult, Ruth discovers, “It’s good to paint and whoosh and whirl / to waint and whoosh and pearl / like this / She finds another way / to ploosh and swirl.” Rhythmic, imaginative, poetic text by Carter Higgins perfectly matches the playful, child-centric illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault; together they honor the spirit and story of Ruth Krauss. (Ages 4-9)