Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year
Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
Abrams Books for Young Readers


As a young child, Lila Greer is a fearful individual who resides in a large city with her father, four siblings, three cats and a crow. Little by little she gains confidence in familiar situations but a move to a new town sets her back again, especially starting at a different school and having to get used to another teacher. However. Ms Kern is an empathetic person and tells Lila that she can help by cleaning the chalkboard. Lila accepts the offer and the two chat as they work, till the child feels ready to speak of her worries and ‘What Ifs’.


Time passes and under Ms Kern’s watchful eye, Lila’s self confidence builds and she’s ready to join the other children in the playground. “What if you find friends?” her teacher suggests. And of course, she does. Yes those ‘What Ifs’ return sometimes as Lila reaches adulthood. She too becomes a teacher. That is definitely cause for a visit from the ‘What Ifs’. However, Lila recalls her erstwhile teacher, Ms. Kern

and how through her kindness, she had enabled the young Lila to find her feet. Who better to emulate as she meets her very first class of children.


Andrea Beaty’s rhyming story in combination with David Roberts’ characteristic watercolour, pen, and ink stylish illustrations show just how powerful the impact of the right teacher at the right time can be for a child. In so doing they have created a wonderful storybook acknowledgement that says thank you to educators wherever they are.