(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss. The forest animal friends from Bunny's Book Club are back at the library but disappointed to learn that human Josie will soon begin school. With Josie worried about making new friends, the menagerie decides to attend school, too; the critters explore classrooms before reuniting with Josie on the playground. Pleasing watercolor illustrations depict this cute spin on the first-day-of-school story with gentle silliness.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(2) PS Willems's pugnacious pigeon is unsurprisingly unexcited about starting school. In direct-address text, the pigeon imagines worst-case scenarios, from the ridiculous ("What if I learn too much!?! My head might pop off") to the realistic ("What will the other birds think of me?"). Many children facing this milestone will relate to the pigeon's apprehension, though his histrionics are clearly demonstrated as such in both over-the-top text and restrained-until-they're-not illustrations.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2019

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Only-child Ivy takes to heart a classmate's assertion that children like her are usually spoiled. She tries many corrective measures, but ultimately best friend Bean helps Ivy see she's unselfish and thoughtful--the opposite of spoiled. The earnest, emotionally mature second graders' imaginative and somewhat rash problem-solving tactics provide energetic plot details and laugh-worthy gags. Black-and-white spot art captures and builds on the characters' personalities and this eleventh installment's humor.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Allison Colpoys. In this Australian-import picture book, young Alfie gets a case of the nerves before the Underwater Dress-Up Parade. His anxiety (including nightmares, upset stomach, and negative self-messaging) is palpable as the event approaches. The story's resolution is realistic about Alfie's current state of readiness, with hope for the future. Striking illustrations in a limited palette (coral, blue, and seafoam) reflect the warmth of Alfie's home life, his active imagination, and his complex emotions.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 It's Mae's first day of school, but she's "not going." She hides in a schoolyard tree and before long, another little girl and then teacher Ms. Pearl climb up with similar fears, which gives them all the confidence to go inside. This sweet twist on the perennial first-day-of-school theme reassures readers with its textual repetition and the illustrations' soft lines and pastel hues.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Penguin Young Readers series. In Border's easy-reader spinoff of his food-themed picture books (Peanut Butter & Cupcake!), new-to-town Peanut Butter is anxious about the upcoming first day of school. At his mother's suggestion, he practices his walk to school, soliciting advice from friends Cupcake, Egg, and Soup along the way. The story feels perfunctory, but Border's trademark color photos of wire-limbed foodstuff are as beguiling as ever.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) PS Illustrated by Juana Medina. Lena isn't nervous to start kindergarten...but her shoes are. Lena enlists her headband (who is "a good listener") to talk to them, and, with fears assuaged and a bit of reverse psychology, Lena and her outfit make it to the first day. Child-friendly digital illustrations depict the shaking shoes; the happy results of previous times Lena was brave; and, finally, everyone's shoes mingling happily on the playground.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(3) K-3 Translated by Saul Endor. When the titular king spies "something" (a red seed) on the ground, he jails it. To his chagrin, many days later he spots "something else" (a flower) blooming where he left the something. Like a medieval Monty Python character, the king is a lovable, laughable lunkhead. Spanish author-illustrator Guridi's comical iterations of the overblown, undersized king stand out against broken, softly sketched outlines of the kingdom of nothing.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS In their latest adventure, Bear and Mole go camping, but Mole worries they'll get lost in the dark. Bear reassures Mole with a story about the First Bears making the moon and stars, including--in a dramatic vertical spread--the stationary First Star that guides creatures at night. Spacious art transitioning into a nighttime blue palette complements the simple text full of soothing repetition.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Fourth grader Lucy loves magic and hates change. Unfortunately, her best friend has stopped believing in magic, and her mother is having twins. As anxious Lucy learns to accept change, she finds magic in places she never looked before. Lucy's way of speaking ("I'm quite fine") gives this present-day story a charmingly classic feel. Lowe presents Lucy's fears of change and growing up with empathy.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) PS Illustrated by Alea Marley. Loretta anxiously awaited the birth of her baby cousin. Before she knows it, Gabe's first birthday is approaching, and Loretta becomes increasing worried because she doesn't have the perfect gift. However, from showing Gabe lots of affection ("Who's the best baby on the block?") and being helpful, Loretta discovers that she is Gabe's greatest gift. A sweet, emotively illustrated story of a tight-knit African American family.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(3) K-3 Maud the Koala series. Maud, a young koala, unhappily goes to the doctor for her yearly physical (Doctors) and gets overwhelmed at her big, commotion-filled birthday party (Birthday). In each amiable and relatable easy-reader story, the narrator describes Maud's reticence through natural vocabulary and a combination of illustrated pages and well-spaced comic panels. The books include a note to caregivers about shot anxiety and sensory sensitivities. Review covers these Maud the Koala titles: Fish Are Not Afraid of Doctors and Much Too Much Birthday.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) K-3 Maud the Koala series. Maud, a young koala, unhappily goes to the doctor for her yearly physical (Doctors) and gets overwhelmed at her big, commotion-filled birthday party (Birthday). In each amiable and relatable easy-reader story, the narrator describes Maud's reticence through natural vocabulary and a combination of illustrated pages and well-spaced comic panels. The books include a note to caregivers about shot anxiety and sensory sensitivities. Review covers these Maud the Koala titles: Fish Are Not Afraid of Doctors and Much Too Much Birthday.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(4) K-3 Translated by Dave Morrison. Illustrated by Bruna Assis Brasil. A boy walks readers through his concerns about his first day of school: "Now I'm in the belly / of this monstrous bus. / The driver's a zombie / who won't talk to us." The story follows the expected school-isn't-so-bad path, and the rhymes (translated from the Spanish) drop the odd beat, but elevating the affair is the surrealism-tinged art reflecting the kid's imagination.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jess Golden. Pilar loves ballet, but her worries could prevent her from auditioning for the Winter Wonderland show. With breathing strategies and emotional support, Pilar successfully auditions. Kids with anxiety could disagree with the claim in the author's note that anxiety is "one of the easiest conditions to treat." But Pilar's experiences could also offer comfort and understanding. Golden's quiet illustrations capture Pilar's inner world.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) PS A little girl lies in bed wondering about monsters: "Does Frankenstein get hungry?"; "Does a zombie go to school?" An amusing rhyming text answers her questions about the daily lives of lazy witches, clumsy mummies, and so on. Halloween's spookiest characters are thus rendered harmless for children who worry about monsters. Mixed-media illustrations with bold colors play up the smallest (and wittiest) of details.

Reviewer: Colleen Shea

(3) K-3 Jack's orange toy dinosaur Dexter (Don't Forget Dexter!) is wracked with anxiety as Show-and-Tell Day looms at Jack's school: Is he cool enough? Dexter frantically experiments with various costumes and performances, responding directly to the reader's implied criticisms. Ultimately, Dexter makes a splash by being himself. The conversational text and ink, colored-pencil, and cut-paper art capture a common worry with humor and reassurance.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(2) 4-6 Fourth grader Izzy has her share of common woes--mean girls, school anxiety, play auditions, Dad's new girlfriend, an older brother who's retreating into "the teenage nation," and a new friend with a secret (she's a cancer survivor). Our window into Izzy's world is a series of short, episodic first-person prose poems adding up to a well-rounded portrait of a thoughtful character.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(3) 4-6 Savvy: Stress-Busting Survival Guides series. Illustrated by Veronica Collignon. With Karen Bluth. Emphasizing mindfulness and directed at tweens and adolescents, these upbeat self-help books include meditations, physical exercises, crafts (e.g., an anti-stress ball), recipes (a single-serve "Treat Yourself" cupcake), suggested music, organizational tips, and more, all illustrated with photos and pastel-colored art. Appropriately, each volume ends with lists of symptoms requiring professional help, referral organizations, and suggestions for supportive adults. Reading list. Review covers these Savvy: Stress-Busting Survival Guides titles: Happiness Hacks, Me Time, and Stress Less.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Willy the smartly dressed chimpanzee (Willy's Stories and others) is on his way to the park when he notices a cloud following him. Willy goes home and hides, but the cloud won't go away until he confronts it. Even if the youngest readers don't relate to Willy's grown-up appearance in Browne's exquisite mixed-media paintings, the story's message about facing worries is worthy and clearly conveyed.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay