That's my truck! A good inside story about hitting

Kennedy--aka Dr. Becky--makes emotional regulation feel achievable in a picture book debut that exemplifies best practices for kids and caregivers. Ready for some fun after a series of "annoying" self-care tasks, light-brown-skinned Charlie explodes when he discovers his sister playing with his favorite truck. Evenhanded text describes his rapid emotional spiral ("The want got so big, so fast. The worries got so loud, so quickly") and its outcome ("Before he even knew what he was doing, he hit his sister"). Pale-skinned Mom helps guide the conflict to resolution by setting boundaries and acknowledging Charlie's frustration: "You're a good kid having a hard time. And I'm here." The narrative deploys its message lightly and clearly while demonstrating how Mom's support--conveyed through words and expressions--helps Charlie regain his equilibrium. Stone's unlined and unadorned artwork centers on the figures' interactions and evolving emotions against a paper-white background. "A Good Inside Guide to Hitting" concludes. Ages 3--6. (Apr.)

Charlie is all set for a day of fun, but when he notices his little sister, Pia, playing with his new fire truck, he sees red. In an attempt to get his favorite toy back, Charlie hits Pia. Mom defuses the situation by speaking gently to him about his emotions: "You're a good kid having a hard time. And I'm here. I'm right here with you." There's no mention of a timeout, no yelling. Instead, Mom takes a more empathetic approach, one espoused by Kennedy, a clinical psychologist, online parenting coach, and founder of the Good Inside website and app. Now branching out into the realm of children's books, the author seeks to help youngsters effectively deal with their feelings. This story seems targeted more to parents than to kids, however. The narration and dialogue are didactic and clunky, and the story lacks tension, humor, or other elements likely to appeal to children. The backmatter, which includes questions and answers that flesh out the Good Inside philosophy, will be useful to caregivers, but ultimately the book feels like a marketing tool to extend Kennedy's reach. In the simple, somewhat static illustrations, Pia and Charlie have light-tan skin, while Mom is lighter-skinned. A purpose-driven tale about grappling with big emotions; unlikely to entice kids, but potentially useful to caregivers.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.