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)

A picture book from award-winning storytellers, author Carter Higgins and illustrator Isabelle Arsenault, A Story Is to Share is the extraordinarily told, one-of-a-kind story of legendary author and children’s book icon Ruth Krauss.

Born
a baby
late at night
there’s no parade
just crashing rain

She listens listens
writes and draws
stitches pages
sews a book
She finds another way
to tell a tale

This unique picture book biography provides a mesmerizing look at the life of children’s writer Ruth Krauss (1901–1993), best known for books such as The Carrot Seed, A Hole is to Dig, and A Very Special House. With an imaginative, spontaneous text from Carter Higgins that pays homage to Krauss’s distinctive voice, and Isabelle Arsenault’s exquisite illustrations that evoke a childlike sense of wonder, A Story Is to Share is a tribute to storytelling and creativity of all kinds.