The Spill by Jacqueline Leigh

The Spill written by Jacqueline Leigh and illustrated by Erika Wilson is a children’s story with which all parents and children can relate. The main character, Faye, wakes up thirsty and asks her mom for a big glass of milk. Like all parents, Faye’s mom warns of the possible outcomes of a full glass, as Faye brushes her off making her way to her “sipping spot”. Throughout her journey to her favorite spot, she runs into many obstacles. From the dog, to her sibling, Faye navigates her way to the spot, only to realize she’s spilled her entire glass by the time she gets there.

Benefits for kids

The Spill’s illustrations are incredibly cute, and Faye’s struggle to keep her glass steady is one many children can can relate to completely. When my daughter and I read it, we had fun predicting what would happen with each page. As a reading teacher, I appreciate the creative verbs Leigh uses to tell her story. In addition, alliteration like “wild-wagging”, “tip-top”, and “sipping spot” are fun for children to say. My daughter giggled as she read about Faye’s tale, and we had a good discussion regarding what Faye should have done to prevent her many spills.

“Don’t cry over spilled milk” is a common saying in our house. Faye doesn’t cry. She owns up to her spilling mistakes, and her mother is able to give her ½ a glass the second time. If you’re looking for a cute children’s book that showcases a typical scenario for many families in 24 pages, The Spill is a fun read for you and your young child.

For more information about the author, visit her website. To purchase The Spill, click here.