All that glimmers

Cheering rhymes infuse a gray day with color in this ebullient picture book about managing big emotions by focusing on mindful awareness in the present moment. "When you're shuffling along,/ and you're dragging your feet,/ you feel gloomy and doomy and slightly offbeat.// Then what's that you spy from the side of your eye?// Tiny sparkles of hope going flickering by!" lines chirp as a child catches sight of an insect, the experience imbuing the initially grayscale figure with warm pastel hues. Additional scenes follow the same rhythm, with moments of embodied attentiveness providing characters with the grounding they need to move past negative emotions. As pages increasingly fill with color, Baker's smooth narration builds outward, showcasing how "glimmers of hope" can be empathically shared. Employing hand-painted textures and digital watercolor and pencil, Kaulitzki's scenes follow a busy cast of characters, depicted with varied skin tones, across this beatific portrait of the regulating power of paying attention. Ages 6--8. (Feb.)

Small joys can instantly transform a bad mood. Set against a gray backdrop, a group of gloomy children in the park stare off into space disconsolately. Nothing seems to be going right; even the dog appears dejected. But Baker implores readers to "search with your eyes," "keep your heart open too," "and look for theglimmers / that shine their way through." A small burst of color appears in the corner. Two dragonflies zip by--two bright spots of hope piercing the gray. Slowly, more color is introduced as each child observes something interesting in nature or something kind in the world. As the children recognize more "glimmers," more and more of them appear. One can even share glimmers with a friend who needs a new perspective. "A rainbow bringsawe. / A dog gives suchjoy. / A smile bursts out for a favorite toy." Baker also recognizes that the flurry of glimmers might be overstimulating for some and advises readers to start slowly. Key vocabulary is highlighted in a larger, vibrant font;light,gentle,safe, andunderstood are some of the words to hold dear. The gradual addition of color reflects the tale's optimistic nature, while Baker's rhymes soothe and sway. The cast is diverse. A lovely reminder to look and listen.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.