What to do when you're not sure what to do

PreS-Gr 1--Adults may easily forget how the twists and bumps of life are traversed simply through accumulated experience. Children struggle with grown-up expectations and social graces precisely because these tasks are new and often mysterious. Here, then, is a gentle primer on navigating those day-to-day moments of uncertainty. Moving from the serene ("Breathe in…and out…") to the playful ("Find a you-shaped space") and back again, Bell writes with the soft, knowing tones of a trusted friend dispensing calm advice. Tapper's endearingly loose lines and pale palette enhance this subtle sense of familiarity. Her sweet vignettes, rendered in pencil, ink, and watercolor, peer in on an inviting community of family, friends, and acquaintances in snapshot moments that demonstrate tips for getting started (stepping onto an escalator, putting brush to paper in art class) and reminders to hold back (asking before taking from a batch of freshly baked cookies, looking at the eggs in a bird's nest without touching them). The front and back of the book neatly encapsulate its ethos: at the outset, a child stands warily at the open door of a bus, hands clasped in apprehension under the expectant gaze of the driver and passengers; flip to the back, and the same child has stepped inside, greeted by warm smiles. VERDICT A gentle, appealing concept book, sure to inspire valuable conversations about social-emotional learning.--Jonah Dragan

Feeling a bit uncertain? Listen up! Should I greet the passengers already on the bus? Should I walk the dog without telling an adult? The diverse tots in Tapper's images confront a wide range of conflicts. Each page contains a single, simple sentence or fragment with wise counsel applicable to various situations ("Greet precious things gently," "Make the leap!"), along with hazy watercolor, ink, and pencil illustrations set against stark white backgrounds. Offering the kind of encouragement children need to feel confident in their decision-making, this tale is one that many adults will want to share with young people. Every day, we encounter little moments that require snap decisions, and Bell's spare text will empower kids to make emotionally intelligent choices, though she's also clearly sensitive to their life experiences (or lack of). Tapper's delicate art embraces the uneasiness that children sometimes feel when tackling the unfamiliar. While youngsters are the intended audience for this work, it may well prove popular with adults seeking gift books--who among us doesn't need a reminder to "breathe in and out" or to "delight in the things that don't happen every day"? Simple yet effective advice that will ensure young people greet their world with hope and courage.(Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.