Picture Book Spotlight: One Can Be Inspires Children to Explore Solo Time

One Can Be is a thoughtful and satisfying read.

In a world that seems to highlight extroverted people, this book explores a child’s need and desire to embrace alone time.

Title: One Can Be

Author: Pat Zietlow Miller

Illustrator: Annie Cron

Publishing: Beaming Books, September 2025

About: The publisher describes this book as “an ode to introverts and quiet leaders”.

This lovely picture book takes a close look at a child who prefers to spend much of her time alone where she can breathe, think, grow and know.

She happily moves through her day keeping herself engaged in a variety of solo activities such as sketching, writing, reading, painting and problem-solving her way through projects.

But she also acknowledges that she loves to spend some time with caring and sharing friends, which is exactly what she does.

I love that this little person is comfortable in her own skin and happy with her own company. You don’t come across many books where the importance of alone time is celebrated.

As we all know, friends are essential too and this balance is clearly defined and valued.

I highly recommend this sweet book for preschoolers to possibly Grade 3.

Some Benefits of Alone Time

1. It enhances creativity
2. It helps you decompress and recharge
3. It gives you time to think deep thoughts
4. It helps reduce stress
5. It increases productivity
6. It encourages independence
7. It encourages problem-solving abilities
8. It helps to build confidence
9. It helps to foster emotional regulation

One Can Be Story Extension Ideas

1. Have a discussion about the importance of spending time alone. How does it make you feel? What can you accomplish? Is it easy or hard? How often do you like to be alone?
2. Repeat the discussion about the importance of spending time with friends. Emphasize that there’s no right or wrong way to spend your time.
3. Write a personal list of all the things you like to do when alone.
4. Draw a picture of yourself doing your favourite alone-time activity.
5. Plan for structured solo time in the classroom, where children have the freedom to explore their own creative projects. Be sure to explain the benefits to help normalize healthy alone time.

For those of you interested in reading more about the importance of solo time in the classroom, you might want to read this research paper written by Lisa Chan in 2016 as a requirement for her Masters degree at the University of Toronto: Rethinking Solitude in Schools: How Silence and Solitude Can Benefit Students and Enhance Creativity

You Might Also Like:

Here and Now, a picture book promoting mindfulness

I am Peace is another wonderful book on mindfulness