Author Jordan Morris and illustrator Charlie Mylie’s Out on a Limb is a picture book story about a child with a broken leg who explores the role of courage and patience in the healing process—both inside and out.
Lulu’s leg is broken, but she’s OK. Bonnie Bear has a matching yellow cast. Her sympathy trove has new books, sweet cards, and pretty daisies. She finds new ways to do ordinary things—like taking a bath or wearing her favorite pants.
As time wears on, the newness of the cast wears off and the weariness sets in. Lulu grows bored and grumpy by day. Her cast becomes itchy and twitchy at night. Eventually, it’s time to get the cast off, but Lulu’s not ready. What if her leg can’t do all of the things it used to do? What if it breaks again? A visit from Grandpa, a well-timed letter, and the power of healing help get Lulu back on her feet.
“A welcome story of a child overcoming her fears in her own time, and of a close and supportive intergenerational friendship.”—Horn Book Magazine
Praise
"A welcome story of a child overcoming her fears in her own time, and of a close and supportive intergenerational friendship."The Horn Book Magazine
—
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Mylie’s graphite art is monochromatically tinged black-and-white with bright pops of yellow that exudes a striking, sketchy look with high contrast and deep shadows. Kids who have broken a limb of their own—or faced any kind of tragedy that understandably could happen again—may want to pick this one up to be encouraged by Lulu’s story."
—
"Morris leaves no feeling unturned in Out on a Limb, for which Mylie has created a pigtailed protagonist whose every emotion commands her face like a newspaper headline."Shelf-Awareness
—
"The dual arcs converge slowly, suggestive of the patience Lulu must have as she heals emotionally as well as physically, and the uplifting story concludes with a moment of serendipity that encourages Lulu to overcome her fears."Publishers Weekly
—