Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness by Donna Janell Bowman, Illustrated by Daniel Minter

William Key was born into slavery. He had a gift for woking with animals, able to tame and train them by befriending them and treating them with kindness. Learning everything he could about treating illness for both people and animals, he became known as Doc. After the war and gaining his freedom, he began selling his treatments. Visiting a rundown circus, he bought a sickly horse, Lauretta. Doc nursed her back to health and eventually she had a colt, which he named Jim Key.

Through his knowledge, kindness and patience, Doc eventually recognized how smart Jim Key was. The remainder of the book is absolutely incredible. Jim was taught to read, write and calculate numbers. The two eventually became a famous pair, traveling through out the country, performing in front of sold out crowds, displaying how intelligent Jim Key was. While Doc had his doubters, Doc proved what can be done with patience and kindness. Horse lovers will gravitate to this one, but also an interesting biography and topic for reports.

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 921 • Reading Level: 5.3 • Interest Level: 2-5 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 910 • Publisher: Lee & Low • Pages: 48 • Copyright: 2016 • ISBN: 978-1-620-14148-9 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Picture Books for Older Readers