(2) K-3 Illustrated by Sandra Dumais. A sentient boo-boo named Bob -- a round, red character with spindly arms and legs, rosy cheeks, and emotive eyes -- is looking for a "warm and cozy place to settle down." After a couple of false starts, he encounters a crying boy who has fallen off his bike. "Do you have a boo-boo?" "No." "Can I be your boo-boo? Please? Pretty please?" "Um...okay." He jumps on the boy's knee and nestles in. After Mom cleans the area with a washcloth and adds a comfy bandage, Bob and his host are content. Inevitably, with such good care and the passage of time, the boo-boo starts to shrink. Having served his purpose, Bob takes off, with a hint of melancholy and the promise to return when needed. As we see in the final image, that will likely be sooner rather than later. The illustrations are cartoony yet understated, adding emotion and droll humor. The story's messages, both about fulfilling one's goals and about the no-big-deal-ness of small injuries, are delivered memorably -- and painlessly.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025