It is hard to know where to begin with describing this award-winning non-fiction picture book. Every part of the story of William “Doc” Key and his horse Jim Key is astonishing.
That Doc raised the colt Jim to recognize letters, then to read, write, add, and subtract is more than compelling. That formerly enslaved Doc Key used his stage show to teach post-war American lessons of kindness is doubly so.
Performing from Broadway stages to Spelling Bees in schools, Doc and Jim showed that with kindness and education anything was possible. In the years following the enslavement of millions, this was a revolutionary and beautiful idea and effort. While Doc Key talked about kindness to animals, he was, perhaps talking about something much larger. Close to two million Americans, many of them children, signed Doc’s pledge of kindness.
Watch Coretta Scott King honoree Daniel Minter talk about Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness.
Consider purchasing a copy of this book for your school library.
Step Right Up:
How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness
By Donna Janell Bowman
Illustrated by Daniel Minter
Published by Lee & Low Books, Inc.
ISBN-13:9781620141489
Age Range: 7 – 12 Years
Locate at Indiebound | Amazon | B&N | Local Library
William “Doc” Key had a special way with animals. Growing up enslaved in Tennessee, Doc was sent to plantations around the state to care for sick and wounded animals. When the Civil War ended and Doc was freed, he began to dream of breeding a winning racehorse. But those dreams were dashed when his colt was born weak and sickly. Although many people would have euthanized the colt, Doc nursed him back to health and named him Jim.
Noticing a level of curiosity and eagerness in the horse, Doc began teaching Beautiful Jim Key first to recognize letters, then to read, write, add, subtract, and more. Doc soon took his talented horse on the road, spreading a message of patience and kindness, over cruelty, to all animals.
With striking illustrations by Daniel Minter, Step Right Up is the inspiring story of one man and one horse who showed the world the power of kindness.
This biography explores Common Core English Language Arts Standards and Social Studies Standards.
ENGAGE
Explore tools including the “Kindness Pledge” here.