Meet Reba

Winner of the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award for Best First Book, Meet Reba is a warm, empowering picture book about independence, friendship, and the courage it takes to accept help.

Reba is brave, strong, and fiercely independent. She can do almost everything on her own — or so she thinks. But when it comes to learning how to ride a bike, Reba discovers that accepting help doesn’t make her any less capable. Sometimes, it simply means having someone beside you, cheering you on.

Inspired by the real-life bond between rhinos and oxpeckers, this heartwarming story celebrates self-reliance, teamwork, and the quiet magic of friendship.

With engaging back matter that introduces young readers to the rhino–oxpecker relationship, Meet Reba offers both a meaningful story and a gentle connection to the natural world.

Perfect for ages 3–8, Meet Reba is an encouraging read for children who love to say, “I can do it all by myself!” — and for the grown-ups helping them learn when to try alone and when to let someone help.

Why readers love Meet Reba:

• Winner of the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award for Best First Book
• Encourages independence while gently showing the value of asking for help
• Inspired by the natural relationship between rhinos and oxpeckers
• Includes back matter that connects the story to real animal behavior
• A thoughtful choice for social-emotional learning, classroom read-alouds, bedtime, and gift-giving
• Perfect for children navigating new skills, friendship, confidence, and asking for help

Stephanie is a wife, mom, writer and co-founder of Spinning Wheel Stories. She lives is whimsically-weathered Massachusetts, where it can snow in April but be in full bloom by June.
She has a BA in English Literature from Bucknell University and a MFA in Creative Writing from Arizona State University. She has published several short stories in literary journals. This will be her first published book. When she’s not writing, she enjoys making pottery, baking, and trying lots of new things. She especially likes going for bike rides with friends and family.

Annika is an artist and illustrator living in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. She spent her childhood in South Africa, where she was homeschooled and grew a deep appreciation for art and nature. She is pursuing her BFA in painting and drawing from Arizona State University. Besides designing loveable characters, Annika enjoys thrifting for clothes, baking banana muffins, and spending time with her family.

• IBPA Bill Fisher First Book Silver Award 2026