The Things We Hold

By Vanessa Lewis-Porter

A tender picture book about a young girl navigating housing insecurity--a beautiful reminder to always lead with kindness and empathy.

At first glance, you wouldn't guess that Lilly holds a lot inside. Like her embarrassment when she gets teased for wearing the same clothes to school every day. And her disappointment when her teacher hands out permission slips for a field trip with a fee, which Lilly knows her mama can't afford. And the heaviest secret she holds is that she and her family don't have a home and sometimes sleep in their car.

Winner of Lee & Low's New Voices Award, debut author Vanessa Lewis-Porter brings her experience as an educator to share the challenges some of her students faced in school. Coupled with emotive illustrations by award-winning artist Cornelius Van Wright, The Things We Hold is a gentle reminder to always lead with kindness and empathy because you never know what a person is holding inside.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1643795023
• ISBN13: 9781643795027
• Release Date: September 2026
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.5" x 11.0"
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 3