FICTION

What Makes YOU Happy?

Penguin/Rocky Pond. Sept. 2025. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593620250. PreS-Gr 2
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PreS-Gr 2–Avery, a precocious young girl with brown skin, enjoys playing with her friends Riley, Simone, Caleb, and Taylor. Whenever one of her friends wants to play something they like, Avery never fusses and goes along with whatever they want to do. When one of her friends wants the yellow marker, she will give it to them; if she has a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and her friend wants it, Avery will give it to them. Avery’s birthday is coming up, and she wonders what she should do for it. She asks each of her friends what they would like at her birthday party, and as they begin to name things like roller-skating or bowling, Avery realizes she does not want to do any of that. Only when she finally asks herself the right question, does she find the answer. This story of caring and sharing emphasizes that it’s just as important to look out for oneself as well as others. Avery’s friend group is diverse; children of all backgrounds can see themselves either in Avery or one of her friends. The font is small, especially for emergent readers.
VERDICT A thoughtful choice for children’s collections.

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