Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Home > Books > I Knew You Could Do It!

I Knew You Could Do It!

Book Synopsis

I knew you could do it! I knew that you could!
Of everyone out there I knew that you would.

A celebration of everyday accomplishments as well as life’s milestones, I Knew You Could Do It applauds anyone who has overcome hurdles and challenges, and also cheers them into the future. And for anyone who needs an infusion of support or reassurance, it tells them, ‘I believe in you.’

Our Review Panel says...

Tillman’s picture books are a genre unto themselves. Her illustrations are photo-realistic in style yet wildly imaginative in content. It makes for an unusual mix. Each doublespread splash image is a complete adventure story unto itself, except you have to supply the story and details yourself. All she gives us is that extravagant visual with a couple of lines celebrating the (impossible and improbable) achievements of several children. A kid who wins a tug of war against two huge bears? Check. A child who rides a lion and storms a castle? Check. A little tyke who has a staring contest with a formidable dragon – and it’s the dragon who’s intimidated? Check! Tillman gives us one ludicrously over-the-top image after another accompanied by simple congratulatory lines that basically echo the book’s title in different ways. It’s a book about self-affirmation, about validation, about praising children for what they do, because just getting through childhood successfully really is just as formidable as besting a bunch of bears, or dragons or castles. You rock, kids!

This book is available on these booklists:

Booklists you might also like...

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments