cover
In the bright morning classroom, Ms. Lopez stands beside the board holding a box of crayons while several children raise eager hands. At a front desk, Maya sits looking down at her shoes, shoulders small against the colorful bustle.
Maya sat on the school bus, looking at her shoes. She was a quiet girl who liked to watch instead of talk. Her teacher Ms. Lopez smiled at everyone. "Who wants to help pass out crayons?" she asked. Maya's hand stayed down. She wasn't ready yet. Other kids raised their hands high. Maya thought maybe tomorrow she would try. But today felt too big.
Outside on the sunny playground, the red kickball rests at Maya's sneakers as Sam stands a few steps away, hopeful grin bright. Maya gently swings her foot back to tap the ball toward him, nervous eyes softening.
At recess, a boy named Sam dropped his ball. It rolled right to Maya's feet. "Can you kick it back?" he asked. Maya looked at the ball. Her heart beat fast. It was just a tiny thing. She could say yes to this. Maya took a breath and kicked the ball gently. Sam grinned. "Thanks!" he called. Maya smiled a little. That wasn't so scary.
In the morning classroom corner filled with potted plants, Ms. Lopez offers a small metal watering can to Maya. Maya reaches out with trembling hands, sunlight from the window glinting on the can's spout and her determined face.
The next day, Ms. Lopez asked, "Who wants to water the plants?" Maya remembered the ball from yesterday. Saying yes to Sam had felt good. She raised her hand just a little bit. Ms. Lopez saw her! "Thank you, Maya," she said warmly. Maya stood up on wobbly legs. She walked to the watering can. Her hands shook slightly, but she did it.
Beside the classroom windows, Maya steadies the watering can over leafy plants while Emma stands nearby, hands clasped, offering an encouraging smile. Afternoon light paints both girls warm gold, droplets sparkling as they fall.
While watering the plants, a girl named Emma came over. "You're doing a great job," Emma said softly. Maya looked up, surprised. "Thanks," Maya whispered. "I was nervous." Emma nodded. "Me too, sometimes. Want to sit together at lunch?" Maya felt that tiny yes inside her again. "Okay," she said. Emma's smile was bright like sunshine. Maya smiled back, feeling warmer inside.
In the noisy noon cafeteria, Maya and Emma sit across a speckled table with plastic trays and milk cartons. Maya's rainbow shirt and Emma's polka-dot top stand out as they laugh together, exchanging compliments under fluorescent lights.
Maya and Emma sat at lunch with their trays. "I like your shirt," Emma said. Maya looked down at her rainbow shirt. "Thanks. I like yours too." They talked about their favorite colors and foods. Maya laughed when Emma made a funny face. Talking felt easier than she thought. Each word was like a tiny yes. By the end of lunch, Maya felt lighter.
At the classroom art station, colorful paint pots surround Maya and Emma as they spread large white paper on the table. Maya, hesitant yet smiling, quietly suggests a garden while Emma waits, brush poised, eyes shining.
Ms. Lopez announced an art project. "Work in pairs," she said. Maya looked at Emma hopefully. "Partners?" Emma asked right away. "Yes!" Maya said, louder than before. They got paper and paint together. Maya had ideas but felt shy to share them. Emma waited patiently. "What should we paint?" she asked. Maya took a breath. "Maybe a garden?" Emma clapped. "Perfect!"
Under bright afternoon lamps, Maya carefully paints pink flowers while Emma adds a bold yellow sun; their shared canvas blooms with butterflies. Ms. Lopez pauses behind them, pleased smile and folded arms reflecting pride in their teamwork.
Maya and Emma painted flowers and butterflies. Maya's hand was steady as she added details. "You're really good at this," Emma said. Maya felt proud. "You want to add the sun?" Maya asked. Emma painted a big yellow sun. They worked together, sharing ideas. Each suggestion was a tiny yes. Their painting grew beautiful and bright. Ms. Lopez came by and smiled wide.
In the softly lit morning classroom, Maya stands before the chalkboard clutching her plush bunny Coco to her chest, cheeks flushed. Ms. Lopez gestures invitingly beside her, while classmates sit cross-legged in the background, watching.
The next week, Ms. Lopez asked for volunteers for show and tell. Maya had brought her favorite stuffed bunny. Her stomach flipped. Could she do it? Emma squeezed her hand under the desk. Maya remembered all her tiny yeses. She raised her hand slowly. Ms. Lopez called on her. Maya stood up, holding her bunny tight. Her voice was small but clear.
Still at the front of the classroom, Maya finishes speaking, holding Coco by one floppy ear. Ms. Lopez and seated students clap enthusiastically, sunlight from high windows illuminating Maya’s relieved smile and the soft fabric of her bunny.
Maya spoke about her bunny named Coco. "My grandma made her for me," Maya said. Her voice grew a bit stronger. "I sleep with Coco every night. She makes me feel brave." The class listened quietly. Some kids smiled at her. When she finished, everyone clapped. Maya's cheeks felt warm. She had done it! That big yes had felt good too.
On the grassy playground under late-day sun, Sam pitches the red ball toward Maya, who stands ready with one foot poised, Emma cheering nearby. Shadows stretch long across bases painted in chalk dust.
At recess, Sam ran over. "Want to play kickball?" he asked Maya and Emma. Maya's old self would have said no. But she had been saying yes to small things. Each one made the next easier. "Okay," Maya said. She played kickball with the group. She didn't kick perfectly, but she tried. Everyone cheered for her anyway. Playing was fun.
During morning circle on the classroom rug, Maya raises her hand confidently while Ms. Lopez smiles, writing 'flower crowns' on the whiteboard behind her. Colorful posters and attentive classmates frame the bright, welcoming scene.
The next day, Maya had an idea during circle time. Ms. Lopez asked what they should do for the spring party. Maya's hand went up without her even thinking. "Maybe we could make flower crowns?" she suggested. Everyone loved the idea! Ms. Lopez wrote it down. Maya felt a warm glow inside. Her tiny yes had turned into something bigger and brighter.
In her cozy bedroom at dusk, Maya cuddles under a quilt, clutching Coco while Maya's mom with soft brown hair hugs her shoulders. A warm bedside lamp casts amber light over their embrace and the bunny’s stitched smile.
That night, Maya told her mom about her week. "I said yes to lots of things," Maya explained. "Small things at first, then bigger ones." Her mom hugged her close. "I'm so proud of you, mija." Maya snuggled with Coco. She had learned something important. Each tiny yes had power. Together, they built something strong—confidence that lived inside her heart forever.