Hello World!

March 15, 2021
Cultivate interest not simply in the world, but also in the people who inhabit it. Behind the facade of yet another picture book to hand to graduates lies a title with grander ambitions. A kid scooters off into the world to text that relates the wonders to come. Using the letter B (for no apparent reason) as a touchstone, the text catalogs everything from bobsledding to boredom. This is all well and good, but the true treasures come when one realizes, "There's more to everyone than you think." Readers are encouraged not merely to look and draw assumptions, but to ask people questions to learn more. Characters introduced early appear later with some context. A bicycling ballerina "misses her grandpa Benny," and "the bully was bullied" (a sign held by a disembodied hand reads, "That's how he learned to do it"). Even the endpapers get into the act, featuring balloons that sport questions like "What makes someone smart?" and "What's the best gift you ever got?" This emphasis on humanity separates this title from books that offer empty aphorisms about getting through life. Meanwhile, the cheery art displays a Seussian sensibility but populates its hopeful world with lots of different kinds of people. The brown-skinned protagonist appears to be biracial, with a White-presenting mom and darker-brown-skinned dad who bid their offspring farewell on the first page. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.3-by-20.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 26% of actual size.) Less Oh, the Places You'll Go and more "Oh, the people you will know." (Picture books. 4-18)

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April 19, 2021
What awaits a young person moving on and out into the world? Echoing Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, Corrigan offers the upbeat promise: “Oh the people you will know!” Bouncy, alliterative text haphazardly highlights some individuals that one may encounter, including “People with braids. People with burkas... People in blue jeans. People with black belts,” and many others. Since “there’s more to everyone than you think,” muses Corrigan, asking people questions yields precious fruit: “That’s how you’ll find out that the butterfly-chaser/ knows how to swim backstroke.” Newcomer Ebert delivers brightly colored artwork with a sweet-natured comic zip—highlights include a page of variously emotive, dot-eyed faces of varied ages and skin tones. A peppy encouragement to connect with, and be curious about, others. Ages 3–7.

May 1, 2021

Gr 2-4-A young girl, who is biracial, and her dog set out into the world with a scooter and a smile. It is unclear where they are going, only that it is the beginning of a journey. The world is full of exciting things and friendly people, but also populated with bullies and boredom. However, our protagonist remains eternally optimistic, chatting with everyone she meets and learning about their hopes and dreams. Ebert's illustrations are vibrant but gentle. Some characters are shown with grotesquely exaggerated expressions, but for the most part people look generally content and peaceful. Characters are depicted as being of various ages and with a range of skin tones. Corrigan's quirky text features numerous key words that begin with B: People wear beards and braids and buns and burkas. They burp, bobsled, and backstroke. All the businesses begin with B: banks, bowling alleys, bakeries, burger shops, and beauty salons. The book implores readers to start conversations with people, a hopeful and inspiring message for building community. VERDICT The abstract nature of the narrative allows this title to apply to many situations: going to a new school, moving to a new town, or even reentering the world after a long quarantine. A recommended purchase.-Chance Lee Joyner, Haverhill P.L., MA

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