This story is about a particularly small six-year-old girl named Kylie Bell, who "comes from a long line of not-so-tall people." She has a few run-ins with Rusty Jacks, the school bully who torments her because she is small and - he assumes wrongly - easily picked on.
When presented with an opportunity to help Rusty Jacks out of a bind, Kylie triumphs by doing the right thing and helping the kid out.
Kylie does not sink to the level of the bully because she is inspired by legends of her diminutive ancestors rallying their courage and overcoming big bullies. She remembers "Great-great grandmother Beulah Bell, who kept hold of her good manners even when the cowpokes didn't, pops into her mind."
The pen and ink watercolour illustrations are surreal, with Rusty depicted as giant and then a half human/half snake. When Rusty is in need of help, he is represented as a regular child. Not So Tall for Six was written by 2006 Cybils nonfiction picture book winning author Diana Hutts Aston. 2008 Charlesbridge $14.95 CAN
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