Title: Secrets I Know
Author: Kallie George
Illustrator: Paola Zakimi
Age Range: 2-5
Synopsis: A young girl explains this secrets of the universe, as only a child can.
The Lowdown:
The little girl on the front of this cover instantly reminded me of my youngest sister. The freckles and sweet sort of knowing smile are what did it. The only thing missing was a mischievous twinkle in her eye. I was smitten! It was only upon opening this book up a browsing the pages that I realized I wasn’t actually smitten. I was in love.
Kallie George does an incredible job of seamlessly linking these seemingly innocuous sentences into a fluid train of thought. The first page introduces it all, with the little girl explaining that she knows many secrets. As she expands though, the secrets are revealed to be anything other than ordinary, such as sunshine can sweeten tea and seashells want you to listen to what they have to say. She reveals these secrets like she’s sharing a present from the universe that’s begging to be unwrapped. Each is dripping with sweetness and imagination. In the end, they link back up, creating a charming circular poem. 
The illustrations are highly complementary to the text and gently offer a bit of foresight through the book. The colors are slightly muted which seems to create a softer tone for each illustration. It gives credit to the serious nature of revealing such secrets and creates a certain juxtaposition for the sweetness each one represents. The overall effect is one of quiet adorable beauty. Which is just what a secret can be. 
One of Bug’s favorite things to do, is ask if I want to hear a secret. When I say yes, he leans close to me and whispers he loves me before kissing my cheek. I, in turn, have to pretend shock. Children’s secrets can be the sweetest mthing and Secrets That I Know taps into just that. The entire book dances with child-like enthusiasm while still lending a bit of gravitas to the revelation of such treasured information. It’s effect is one that speaks to children and the child in everyone of us.
Story Tips:
1. Bug and I storywalked through this before reading it. I think that allowed him to understand the secrets a bit better when we finally read it.
2. Read this in a soft voice, like your telling someone a secret.
I Need More!
Kallie George has a great array of books, many I’m unfamiliar with. They range from picture books to early readers check out more here: http://www.kalliegeorge.com/books.html
Paola Zakimi does some amazing artwork and has one other book: Teddy & Co. Check out more here: http://www.paolazakimi.com/books-1/#/teddy-co/
