We live in an age in which various news platforms, operating in an around-the-clock media environment, bombard people with information that can easily become overwhelming. Whether shared through cable news networks, online platforms, print media, or word-of-mouth, news stories (both good and bad) almost assume a life of their own as they are repeated time-and-again across days, weeks, or months. Add in the easy access to news providers who are all too often biased, inaccurate, or editorial in nature rather than focused on reporting facts, and you have a media-dense environment that can be challenging to deal with. While this news congestion can be upsetting to adults, it can be terrifying to children who sometimes do not have the emotional skills needed to separate or compartmentalize fact from fiction. In far too many instances, children and adolescents are subjected to an avalanche of information about terrible happenings in ways that can easily cause not only stress but fear as well. Add in the conscious efforts to mislead people via online algorithmics or slanted editorial perspectives, and you have a news environment that can propagandize, enrage, and frighten youngsters. It is this anxiety-inducing news environment that Dr. Toner addresses in this helpful guidebook, designed to assist children and adults to work to together to calm down the troubled waters that inappropriate news coverage can stir up. In her book, Dr. Tomer offers helpful activities that youngsters can carry out to better understand what news actually is as well as perspectives for adult caregivers to consider. Helpful tips about limiting exposure to destructive stories, modifying viewing habits, or recognizing the viewpoint of the reporter are helpful to both children and adults. In the end, this book is one that will be beneficial both to younger readers and the adults who are responsible for them.

Even though her head is filled with stories, putting them down as written words is an elusive challenge for a young girl named Beatrice. Every day at school, Beatrice struggles to read and write at the same level as her classmates, often ending up “stuck” in the classroom while everyone else gets to go outside for recess. She actively avoids reading aloud, often by requesting to visit the nurse's office or by sharing an intentionally distracting, long-winded oral story. When Beatrice’s teacher offers her an unconventional alternative to traditional reading and writing, Beatrice’s stories begin to leap off the page, enhancing her creativity, self-esteem, and sense of connection to her classmates. A publication of the American Psychological Association, this book serves as both an engaging narrative and an introduction to dyslexia. Printed in a dyslexia-friendly font, Beatrice’s story unfolds easily, in accessible chunks of text that show her growth from an aimless student to a more confident one. At the end of the book, a lengthy note a noted psychologist explains not only what dyslexia is and how it is assessed, but how people can work together to mitigate the difficulties people with dyslexia face every day. Dynamic illustrations in a limited, earth-toned color palette depict Beatrice’s narrative; images of the comic book she creates within the story appear as the endpapers. Approachable, full-color views of Beatrice’s tangible world couple with monochromatic outlines of the vivid scenes her imagination creates when free from the confines of the written word. This lovely story connects readers of all abilities with the realities of dyslexia and encourages support of others, no matter their background. It is a noteworthy addition to library collections for elementary school-aged readers and their guidance counselors.

In just twenty-nine brief pages, runner and race director McGillivray makes the impossible seem possible. In his autobiographical account of running seven marathons, on seven different continents, in seven consecutive days, McGillivray manages to both share a significant life event and provide readers with a truly inspirational story. McGillivray’s account will appeal to runners and non-runners alike. The book is filled with motivational statements for every leg of his journey and includes geographical content so readers can learn about different locations and cultures around the world. The story of his World Marathon Challenge, supported by Shululu’s vibrant illustrations, transports the reader to each continent, giving them the sense they are running the race with McGillivray for that moment in time. The journey of McGillivray is easy to follow, from race to race and continent to continent. Appeals to readers of all ages who are looking to read a true story of encouragement and reminds them to always finish their journeys, no matter what.

Despite the frequency and enthusiasm with which it is asked, the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” does not usually end in a meaningful conversation and can result in anxiety over wonderment. This picture book changes that. Dive in and follow a group of children as they learn the ways in which clues like their personality traits and interests today can grow into their occupational endeavors tomorrow. Collectively, they discover that their tomorrow’s can include being an athlete, detective, baker, creator, healthcare professional, politician, professor, biologist, architect, nurse, astronomer, accountant, mechanic, librarian, and vet. This positive message of hope is told using fun rhymes with no more than two sentences on each page. The narrative is coupled with Couvillion’s equally bright and colorful illustrations that notably depict non-stereotypical archetypes, such as a female mechanic and a male librarian. All caring adults aspire to support a child in finding their spark in life, yet too often that intention is executed with subconscious pressure and projected aspirations. Thus, taking on such a feat in a picture book could have easily resulted in an empty string of occupational vocabulary words or run the risk of painting a romanticized picture of how selecting a career actually works. However, in addition to providing a diverse list of existing jobs, Finkle manages to acknowledge that interests change over time, that the possibility to create one’s own career exists, and that perhaps the choice itself does not ultimately matter, so long as one remains guided by one's heart and prioritizes being kind to others along the way.

It can be hard to speak up and ask for help, particularly when social anxiety is getting in the way. As isolating as it can feel when mental health is at stake, this book can offer a first level of comfort to tweens and teens who may not know how to overcome their internal blocks and begin sharing their feelings. As a whole, this is a great introduction to understanding social anxiety, even when conversation might be difficult. It shares common features of anxiety, coping strategies, and empowering personal growth. This challenging topic is made more accessible by breaking it into understandable chapters: social anxiety and emotions, mindfulness and relaxation strategies, and exposure events supplemented by self-care. Examples and activities serve as a relatable support rather than another uncomfortable lecture. While this book would be most helpful paired with adult or professional advice and shouldn't be considered an exclusive tool, this is an outstanding resource for helping to equip anxious minds to find confidence and personal joy. Dealing as it does with sensitive topics, this book could at first overwhelm; thus, it should be given with care and support. A practical resource for a school guidance counselor.

Fiorella and Mama Rose love living with their guardian Doc on a farm where they have ample space to run and play. One day, Doc loads the two dogs into his truck and leaves them at an animal shelter, unable to care for them any longer. Though Fiorella and Mama Rose have each other, they do not understand why Doc gave them up, and Fiorella cannot help but think it has something to do with her. After attempting to change her behavior, Mama Rose assures Fiorella she is perfect just the way she is, and the two continue to wait for a new guardian to adopt and love them. Though this story features two dogs, their feelings of abandonment and loss are real for humans, as well. Short phrases blend with a balanced amount of dialogue and internal reflection to create a narrative that is accessible to a range of ages. Playful font appears from time to time as Mama Rose sings to Fiorella, standing apart from the rest of the words and adding another visual layer to the story. The text and images are well designed, creating a presentation that is appropriately suited to the target audience. Cheerful colors are used throughout the story, appearing within illustrations that incorporate both soft and clean lines to depict Fiorella’s dynamic world. Adult human faces are rarely pictured, as the focus is primarily on the dogs and children they interact with. Everyone struggles with relationship challenges at some point in their life, and just as relationships can bring pain, so too can they heal that pain in time. This is an excellent story to share with young children, especially as they are discovering their unique worth in a world that sometimes hides it from them.

This adorable story lays out a message of self-acceptance in a comic book format. The text and complexity of this book are designed to be simple and easy-to-read, for children who are a little younger than the usual adolescent comic book reader. The story is centered on a young snail who is lonely and does not have a shell yet. He meets other snails that already have their shells, but they tell him they cannot be friends until he finds his own shell. The snail goes on a quest to find a shell and comes back with many different items. Unfortunately, none are quite right. When he does find the shell, it cracks. Then, one of the other snails offers to help him find a better shell. The story shifts from an individual's attempts to fit in to the development of friendship. This story is a good discussion-starter for themes of acceptance and assistance, community, and friendship, and has high appeal for independent child readers.

Twelve-year-old Kate wants to live anyone else's life but hers. Since her mother left town to chase make-up selling dreams, Kate has been living in a tiny apartment with her dad. Even her relationship with her best friend Haddie, who's completely oblivious to what anyone else thinks, becomes strained when Kate finds an opening to become friends with her school's most popular girl. What at first feels to Kate like a fresh start quickly becomes complicated when Kate's new friends pick on Haddie, causing an accident that threatens her life. The video of Kate rescuing Haddie goes viral. Before she knows what's happening, Kate is hailed a hero. Kate knows there's more to the story than the viral video shows, and once the full video goes public, everyone will know she's not the hero they thought. Caught between the truth and the story people believe, between her love for her missing mom and the pain of being left behind, and between two best friends who don't get along, Kate must decide who she is, what she wants, and what she's willing to do to get it. Swinarski (What Happens Next, 2020) again creates a story with a rich emotional landscape and complex, dynamic relationships centered around a character learning to find her place in the world. Every character has layers that show in the way they speak and behave. Kate's relationships with her parents are realistic and moving. Her struggles to navigate friendships are both believable and ultimately inspiring. The story explores bullying, how quickly a situation can escalate, and what happens when someone makes the choice to stand idly by while it happens. It reminds us that we can all make mistakes, and that coming forward to accept responsibility takes courage and resolve.