For children, size is a status symbol. Yet looking at Kylie Bell, you'd be surprised by how unperturbed she is by her diminutive state. "Yep, the not-so-tallest one in the first grade," she'll tell you. There are disadvantages to being short, of course, and one of these happens to involve that nasty new boy Rusty Jacks, who delights in tormenting our heroine when he pleases. After finally standing up to the bully on a particularly vexing day, Kylie eventually does the right thing and gives him a place at her reading circle in class. Friendship is not too far behind. Aston utilizes an easygoing colloquial language that works for the most part but is unfortunately subject to a couple of perplexing hiccups here and there. Dormer's deft hand and watercolors give the story a southwestern feel, playing with perspective and size to the book's benefit. In the end, Kylie Bell and her "ladylike, rhino-sized" heart will charm any and all comers. Caring, not cloying.

Not So Tall for Six was written by 2006 Cybils nonfiction picture book winning author Dianna Hutts Aston, and illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. I was interested in this book, about a very small six-year-old girl, because I'm "not so tall" myself. I must admit that it took me a second read-through to appreciate this quirky picture book, but on that second reading, I was won over.

Kylie Bell "comes from a long line of not-so-tall people." Their family motto is "Brave and smart and big at heart." When confronted at school by a big new bully named Rusty Jacks, Kylie has some negative interactions with him, and even runs away. She manages to play to her own strengths, however. And when the opportunity comes to do the right thing and help Rusty Jacks, Kylie remembers her family motto, and comes through.

The reason this book is a bit tricky at first is that the story is told from a sort of fantasy/surrealistic viewpoint. So, the first time we see Rusty he is "slithering around like a half-starved rattlesnake", and drawn with a human torso and serpent bottom. In another scene he looms over Kylie like a giant. Only in the scene where he needs help is he shown in actual kid size. I suspect that young readers will take in stride this fantasy-tinged Kylie's-eye-view of the situation, but it took me a second pass to get into it.

Closer inspection reveals the cleverness by which Kylie's imaginings tie back the details we know of her home life. For example, the second page of the book includes, as background, a picture of a tiny little woman in a bonnet being menaced by several large men in cowboy hats. Later on, when Kylie is confronted by Rusty, she almost calls Rusty a name, but then "a vision of Great-great grandmother Beulah Bell, who kept hold of her good manners even when the cowpokes didn't, pops into her mind." I like the tying back to that earlier picture. Similarly, one of Kylie's relatives was a snake charmer, and thus it makes sense for her to picture the bully Rusty as a snake.

I also enjoyed the humor of Dormer's pen and ink and watercolor illustrations. A portrait of one not-so-tall relative shows only the top of his head peeking over the bottom of the picture frame. Kylie sits in her father's lap, both of them tiny compared to the high back of the armchair. And to make sure that we get the country and western atmosphere of the book, a pot of cactii sits to the right of armchair, and the colors run to tan, sage, and rust. Kylie herself is rather Pippi-esque, and stands out from the more muted background, with red pigtails streaming out to either side.

Fun stuff. It reminds me of living in Texas. Like Kylie Bell, Not So Tall for Six is itself brave and smart and big at heart. Although the book has solid messages about courage and compassion, they never overwhelm the story. I think that younger kids will miss some of the nuances, but I recommend this book highly for first and second graders, especially those who live in the southwestern states.

Next up is one of my favorite picture books thus far this year, Not So Tall for Six by Dianna Hutts Aston and illustrated by Frank Dormer (Charlesbridge, February 2008). Holy fear-frozen jackrabbits, it is funny and both written and illustrated with such, well . . . oomph and style that I find it is a must-must-have. As in, if I had a boxful of these books, I’d stand on the street corner and hand them out and make everyone’s day.

It would simplify this book-with-the-big-’ol-BIG-’OL-heart entirely too much to say it’s about school bullies, which — on one level — it is. It’s also a very funny, touching-but-never-cloying tale of pluck and grit and generosity. Dianna Hutts Aston, arguably best known for her two books on the natural world, tells this tale in an almost lilting (lilting in a country-western way of speaking, if that makes sense) and rhythmic verse (”Kylie Bell skedaddles faster than a spooked horse”), and Dormer’s dramatic, action-packed illustrations — rendered heavily on an earth-toned palette, setting the tale in the American Southwest — are endearing and engaging. Kylie Bell leaps off the page in all her spunk and personality, and I love how much expression Dormer can get from a character with merely dots for eyes and half-circles for noses.

Don’t miss the chance to introduce your favorite wee one(s) to the heroic Kylie Bell, especially if you find yourself reading aloud to children often. Perfect, perfect story time choice.

Coping with a bully while remaining true to oneself is the message of this tale. Kylie Bell is little, or, as she puts it, “the not-so-tallest one in first grade.” Her family’s motto has always been, “Brave and smart and big at heart.” Meanie Rusty Jacks seems to tower over his classmates and picks on smaller students on the playground. Though Kylie is intimidated, she musters her courage and invites him to join her reading circle. Once Rusty no longer feels isolated, his scowl disappears and a more pleasant side of his nature emerges. The text has a definite Southwestern flair and uses words such as “oil gusher,” “spooked horse,” “cactus jelly,” and “cowpokes.” Pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations in blue, gold, and rust show a spindly legged, pigtailed girl and her booted and bandana-ed nemesis. Purchase where additional books on bullying are needed.
–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Diminutive first-grader Kylie Bell "comes from a long line of not-so-tall people," and though her size makes some activities difficult (getting a drink from the water fountain, for example) it mostly doesn't stop her from living up to the Bell family motto, "Brave and smart and big at heart." This credo is put to the test, however, with the arrival of name-calling bully Rusty Jacks. No picture-book veteran wil be surprised to learn that Rusty is really just in need of a friend, and when Kylie reluctantly calls upon her Bell family courage to include an ostracized Rusty, her kind act pays off as a smiling Rusty subsequently gives Kylie a needed boost at the water fountain. Though the "bully reformed by kindness" storyline is neither new nor entirely believable, Aston's version manages to charm thanks to quirkily descriptive language with a southwest slant ("even though her legs feel like Aunt Cherokee's cactus jelly, she skitter-dee-doos over to Rusty Jacks") and Kylie's genuine spunk and integrity. Equally winning are Dormer's line-and-watercolor illustrations, washed in a desert-hued palette of rusts and golds. Tiny Kylie's highly expressive red pigtails fervently register her emotions, being by turns jaunty, frightened, and droopy, and when Rusty's formidable ten-gallon hat is removed at book's end, he rather comfortingly resembles Shannon's David in his stubble-headed vulnerability. This isn't going to solve a serious bullying problem, but its light and entertaining tone will hold kids' attention, and audiences will appreciate its saccharine-free sincerity. JH

Kylie Bell is a feisty and lovable heroine who bounds through life with exuberance and flair, despite her short stature. With witty lines and colorful, entertaining illustrations, this book provides a positive and lighthearted response to the very realistic problem of bullying. Aston\'s writing has a definite Southwestern feel, as do the warmly toned illustrations. While the text rolls off the tongue for the most part, there are a few awkward phrases that may tie the reader up. Still this could be a good read-aloud for early elementary students who might be dealing with bullying in their own lives.

Kylie Bell is the smallest student in first grade. Does this fact bother her? Not a bit. She looks at that particular measurement in her own unique way, choosing to describe herself as the "not-so-tallest" person in first grade.

It's no surprise that Kylie is itty bitty, as her entire family is vertically challenged. Their small stature is why their family motto has become "Brave and smart and big at heart." The Bells know that you don't have to claim a lot of inches to claim your place this world.

It is important that Kylie has such a positive attitude about herself because she sure is having a tough time at school with the new boy, Rusty Jacks. He teases her and taunts her all over the school, generally being a thorn in her side. Kylie needs to summon all her courage to face this big bully.

In the end, it is Rusty Jacks who finds himself needing a friend. When Ms. Shelts asks all the circle leaders who can find a spot in their reading group, not a single person will meet her eye. Rusty stands alone, unwelcome and embarrassed. It is Kylie who take two deep breaths, sets aside her scared feelings, and welcomes Rusty to her group. After giving him a chance, Kylie discovers that under his tough exterior, Rusty Jacks is actually a bit of a softie.

I think one of the cutest details of this book is the way it is written "western"style. The author uses phrases like "skedaddles faster than a spooked horse" and "skitter-dee-doos" while the reading groups boast names like Bison and Shetland Ponies. From the ten-gallon hats and kerchiefs right down to the cowboy boots, you can tell Texas has been written right into this story.

Not just fun illustrations and western twang, this book teaches a valuable lesson. Physical appearance, whether is height or weight, skin or eye color, is not the true measure of a person. Each person's character is defined by their personality, intelligence and heart. The size of Kylie's heart far outstretches her diminutive form and she overcomes her fear to befriend Rusty Jacks.