ONE CAN and ONE CAN BE. Similar, but different.

Recently, I was online looking — not at all compulsively — for news or reviews of my latest picture book ONE CAN BE.

I found my book, but I also found a picture book I hadn’t heard of before called ONE CAN written by Lana Button and Eric Walters and illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant.

I was intrigued. I searched further and found:

• It was released Sept. 2, 2025, the same date as my book.
• It was issued in a paper-over-board format with no dust jacket, the same as my book.
• The cover was largely white with pastel accents — the same as my book.
• And the title was one word off from my book.

As Stella, the main character in my picture book MY BROTHER THE DUCK, says: “Research was obviously required.” So, off to the Sun Prairie Public Library I went — not at all compulsively — to check this book out.

Was it similar to my book?

Actually, no.

My book, illustrated by Annie Cron, is about a quiet kid with big ideas who creates a Little Free Library for her neighborhood and discovers friends along the way. The word “can” in my title is a verb referring to one person’s ability to accomplish things.

Lana and Eric’s book is about a kid who donates his favorite dinner to his school’s food drive. The word “can” in the title is a noun referring to his donation.

ONE CAN is a lovely story about people giving what they can, when they can, and accepting help when they need it. The main character is excited to help his class reach its goal of collecting 100 cans of food to donate. But, when his mom comes home with the exact can he shared, it leads to a talk about what it means to be in need, and despite limited resources, our young hero finds another way to give.

It would pair well with with MADDI’S FRIDGE by Lois Brandt and Vin Vogel to spark a discussion about hunger and helping and the ups and downs of life.

Unexpected situations like this are one of my favorite things about the kidlit world. There was a book out there that kind of looked like mine, released on the same day as mine, with almost the same title as mine, that I had never even heard a whisper about that actually was nothing like mine and very well done.

It would actually be fun to read both books to kids and then have them talk about how the books are similar, how they’re different and what they expected each book to be about based on its title and cover.

The moral of this story?

There are so many cool books out in the world that you and I will miss. Even when we’re trying to stay on top of the market.

So pay attention when you’re online. When you hear about a picture book that seems interesting, track down a copy and see what it’s about.

Even if it means being compulsive.