Little troublemaker defends her name

Gr 3--4--On her nerve-racking first day of school, Luvvie encounters challenges many children can relate to. Illustrated with vibrant, cartoonish digital art, this story captures Luvvie's journey as she introduces herself and navigates the complexities of friendship and identity. When her classmate Tommy bullies her by calling her "Lava," Luvvie's initial response leads her into trouble. Through heartfelt moments, Luvvie learns to express her feelings. The narrative deepens as her mom guides her in communicating with both her teacher and Tommy, fostering understanding and reconciliation. Their bond over shared lunches beautifully illustrates the power of connection. This book is a valuable resource for parents and teachers looking to discuss emotions, making it essential for nurturing empathy and emotional intelligence in young readers. VERDICT A simple, yet impactful, story about big feelings and how kids can effectively manage them.--Haley Amendt

This latest from speaker, podcaster, andProfessional Troublemaker (2021) author Ajayi Jones sees young Luvvie getting into even more trouble on her first day at a new school. After Luvvie introduces herself to her classmates, Tommy taunts her: "Is your name LAVA?" "Is your name DUMMY?" Luvvie shoots back. Their teacher, Miss Millward, asks Luvvie to apologize but fails to ask Luvvie for her side of the story. Luvvie writes a note to express her feelings ("My teacher's mean"), but when Miss Millward sees it, she asks Luvvie to speak with her after lunch. Ouch! Luvvie's found trouble twice in one day. Luvvie's bottled-up anger and hurt spill over when Mom arrives with the lunch that Luvvie forgot, and the two talk to Miss Millward, who apologizes for not having listened. Though the narrative is on the wordy side, it offers young people a road map for navigating similar situations. The grown-ups in the story display excellent listening skills, while Tommy models kindness and accountability. Bright, cartoonish illustrations alternate between full spreads and close-ups, focusing on the characters' expressive faces. Luvvie is Black; the previous book in the series established that she's of Nigerian descent. Tommy presents white, while Miss Millward has light brown skin. Keenly aware that youngsters with uncommon names often face cruel comments, Ajayi Jones ends with some reassuring words ("Sometimes you're so unique that you don't see your name on a key chain at a store") and instructions for a craft project. Thoughtful guidance for youngsters processing big emotions. (suggestions for dealing with hurt feelings)(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.