Coming September 8, 2026
The Things We Hold

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.