A Note from Cynthia Leitich Smith,

Dear Reader,

Do you or your family own something that has become a friend?

Maybe it’s a plush toy—like a stuffed toy rabbit or bear. Maybe it’s a baby blanket that travels with you everywhere. For Katie, it’s a car named Bob. A car that carries her and her family to big and everyday adventures and is forever folded into their hearts. Whatever may be special to you, I hope you reflect on it fondly and with gratitude like Katie does with Bob in this story.

Thank you for reading, Cynthia Leitich

In 2014, We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) began as a simple hashtag on Twitter. The social media campaign soon grew into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a team that spans the globe. WNDB is supported by a network of writers, illustrators, agents, editors, teachers, librarians, and book lovers, all united under the same goal—to create a world where every child can see themselves in the pages of a book. You can learn more about WNDB programs at www.diversebooks.org