Little By Little: You Can Change the World

Based on the true-life story of Michael Redhead Champagne, a member of the Shamattawa First Nation in Manitoba, Little By Little: You Can Change the World is an inspiring story of how even the youngest of us can make a difference.

Young Michael has had a hard life and witnessed many things, from police brutality to bullying, but, through it all, he has managed to always fight for what is right. His sense of right and wrong and his ability to always help out stems from the love of his foster family. But even though he knows he is loved, Michael still has a hard time building relationships as he fears that he is a burden on those he loves.

One day at school, Michael’s life is forever changed when a caring teacher gets him interested in books. Through reading, Michael learns that anything is possible and anyone can be a hero, including him.

Through his family, Michael also learns a very important lesson: that it is everyone’s responsibility to care for children, and so he starts looking into ways that he could help those less fortunate than he. After seeing a poster at school for a Youth Conference in Thunder Bay, Michael decides to attend.

Once he arrives at the conference, Michael is ridiculed for being the youngest one there. He feels alone and isolated, but, after hearing misinformation about homeless people during the key note speech, Michael decides to speak up and voice his opinions.

Speaking up changes Michael’s whole world as he realizes that he can use his voice to challenge people to think differently and help others. In the end, Michael continues to inspire others to get involved in their community and shares simple ways kids of all ages can get more involved in community-based activism.

Little by Little is a fast-paced nonfiction graphic novel that is perfect for middle grade readers. Ballantyne has created a very relatable character in young Michael who will definitely inspire a new generation of young people to stand up for what they believe in. Adding to the story’s appeal are McGregor’s bright, colourful illustrations that highlight the story’s central theme of hope, something which we all could use a little more of right now.