Verity Finds Her Voice

Verity Finds Her Voice (EK Books) Kristin Kelly & Jasmine Berry PB RRP $27.99 ISBN 9781921497148

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks 

Kristin Kelly is a New Zealand-based children's author and educator known for her heartfelt, empathetic picture books. She loves creating stories that encourage understanding, kindness and resilience. Her other books are Mitchell Itches: An Eczema Story (2024) and The Squeakling (2024), winner of the 2023 Storylines Joy Cowley Award.

Jasmine Berry is an Australian illustrator and graphic designer. She creates engaging and whimsical illustrations using digital tools like iPads and computers. Her work is characterised by vibrant colours, playful characters, and heartfelt narratives. Some of her books include Where’s My Dinosaur, Mila and Ivy, My Mother’s Invisible Shield and Troll’s Tall Tales.

Verity often goes along with what others want and has no say. When she is overlooked at her beloved swimming class, Verity realises something needs to change. When she discovers the courage to speak up, learns to find her voice and stand on her own two feet, things change. The themes of assertiveness, self-advocacy, and the importance of being a good friend to oneself are explored. 

Kristin Kelly has crafted an engaging story featuring a character who speaks to children in a strong, relatable voice. With patterning and repetition—framing the story around the days of the week and recurring events, child readers can see how the changes in Verity’s behaviour led to changes in how those around her react and changed how she felt inside. The story’s narrator creates a direct connection with the reader, while the well-crafted world and setting support the narrative beautifully. Page turns are used effectively to build anticipation and reveal the impact of Verity’s choices.

It’s also clear that Kelly writes from experience; as a preschool teacher, she drew inspiration from observing a real child like Verity. Her word choices are succinct, yet she tells so much. The opening sentence captures the character Verity and the problem well. Verity was a very nice little girl.

Jasmin Berry has created a vibrant visual narrative with a muted patterned background on each page that allows the colourful images to speak clearly to the reader. Verity looks like a very nice little girl with large friendly eyes and body language. Nearly every page has its own illustrations in vignettes that give the story layers and depth. The characters are endearing and full of life, with great movement. There is the clever addition of a silent character – a bird in a cage that comes out and plays with Verity. The endpapers feature birdcages. A bird cage can symbolise being trapped, and this reflects Verity’s behaviour, trapping her into pleasing others and not using her own voice. A bird's song is each bird’s own voice, and Verity finds her own voice, too.

Verity Finds Her Voice is a heartfelt picture book with an important message. A child may not know that they can speak up for themselves and still be loved and liked. I can see this book being used by both parents and teachers. EK Books are wonderful at focusing on stories that help children, and this book does just that. This book is suitable for children 4-8years old in preschool and early primary school years.