(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marc Brown. Brown compiles capital-L Life Lessons from everyone's favorite aardvark. On double-page spreads, Brown's words pair with a picture-book page or TV still (original sources labeled) meant to exemplify the lesson. Loosely organized into thematic sections, the book's coverage is broad and ranges in depth. Many of the pairings offer genuine wisdom or insight on topics from racism to disinformation to appreciating childhood; other spreads feel didactic; some are theme synopses. The volume should be useful as bibliotherapy and also as an annotated visit with the beloved characters. Back matter includes biographical notes, including "How Arthur Came to Be."

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 4-6 Shy Guides series. Joining a group, befriending new people, speaking to an audience (large or small): all can cause anxiety, self-doubt, even a panic attack. Using an informal approach, Kenney presents strategies for dealing with and mastering these feelings and provides assurances that they are normal and controllable. Boxed "Life Tips," personal stories of famous people (Barack Obama, actor Robert Pattinson), and color photos add specifics. Reading list. Ind. Review covers these Shy Guides titles: Getting Out and Getting Along and Quiet Confidence.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Shy Guides series. Joining a group, befriending new people, speaking to an audience (large or small): all can cause anxiety, self-doubt, even a panic attack. Using an informal approach, Kenney presents strategies for dealing with and mastering these feelings and provides assurances that they are normal and controllable. Boxed "Life Tips," personal stories of famous people (Barack Obama, actor Robert Pattinson), and color photos add specifics. Reading list. Ind. Review covers these Shy Guides titles: Getting Out and Getting Along and Quiet Confidence.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Pham, founder/CEO of women-centered online platform Mogul, dishes on her success in this pep-talky self-help book for teens. The workbook-like volume includes lists, activities, and writing prompts. Pham's tone is chatty and infectiously positive as chapters ranging from fashion to finance to failure mix personal anecdote, practical business skills, inspiration, and feminism. "Mogul mentor" inserts offer additional advice. Young women will learn to set their sights high.

Reviewer: Erica Wetter

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Leeza Hernandez. Sayre steers kids toward understanding and getting the most out of the powerful tool of question-asking. Beginning with the basic "why ask questions?" ("They help you get information"), the brief main text introduces different types of questions, how and when to ask them, and what a question is not. With their energetic cartoon vibe, Hernandez's illustrations, featuring a diverse classroom of inquisitive kids, will draw readers in to this valuable communication lesson. The bottom line for posing questions to anyone: think before you ask.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Siobhan Gallagher. Clinton takes on a host of hot-topic issues--environmental conservation, animal endangerment, health, hunger, and bullying--in this accessible and engaging guide to living your most positive, compassionate life. With down-to-earth examples of the issues and stories of kids who have made an impact in each area, it's a highly readable introduction to change-making. Each chapter concludes with "Start Now!" action items. Ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Cookie Monster provides advice on taking a bite out of life--he's already eaten the top corner of this lighthearted novelty book aimed at nostalgic adult Sesame Street fans. He offers everything from slogans ("Keep calm and eat cookies") to tips ("Smile always just a cookie away") to three recipes (including cookies for vegans). Chocoholics should appreciate the cookie references on almost every page.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) 4-6 Savvy: Girlology series. A series of infographics related to girls' growing bodies address health, hygiene, puberty, nutrition, media representation, and more; overall the text demonstrates the broad range of what's normal and points out the often-harmful messages in mainstream media. The tables, graphs, timelines, trivia bits, and photographs of a diverse set of tween girls create a visually engaging, magazine-style volume.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Nan Lawson. With JillEllyn Riley. A tween-focused version of the women's-empowerment adult bestseller The Confidence Code. The coauthors use interactive storytelling (such as quizzes and suggested activities) and comics sequences to supplement the useful and accessible (if somewhat effusively voiced) self-help content. "Girls of Action" segments profile real girls young readers can learn from and admire. Extensive resources lend additional value.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Savvy: Beauty Hacks series. Lipstick stains on your clothes? Always getting nail polish on your fingers? Fashion and Nail, respectively, offer "hacks" to these problems and others; chapters cover such topics as repairing damaged clothes and healing dry hands and feet. Though the design--full of flashy graphics, doodles, and varying fonts--is cluttered, the text does contain clever tips and useful advice. Reading list. Review covers these Savvy: Beauty Hacks titles: Nail, Hand, and Feet Hacks and Fashion Hacks.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) 4-6 This book employs National Geographic Kids' bright and busy magazine-style layout to tout failure as a means to achieve greater success. Examples include failed inventions, entrepreneurial miscalculations, scams, and other blunders. Each section discusses the (sometimes forced) lessons learned, and the hodgepodge volume concludes with a chapter on the therapeutic powers of losing. Ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) K-3 My Day Learning Health and Safety series. Each slight easy-reader text follows a focal character step-by-step through the mechanics of staying safe during a common school procedure. Amanda lines up quietly and follows planned routes during a fire drill; Peter holds the handrail as he boards the bus. Bright, relevant stock photos break up the useful if unengaging narratives. Follow-up questions encouraging personal connections are appended. Reading list. Glos. Review covers these My Day Learning Health and Safety titles: Amanda's Fire Drill and Peter's Bus Ride.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 My Day Learning Health and Safety series. Each slight easy-reader text follows a focal character step-by-step through the mechanics of staying safe during a common school procedure. Amanda lines up quietly and follows planned routes during a fire drill; Peter holds the handrail as he boards the bus. Bright, relevant stock photos break up the useful if unengaging narratives. Follow-up questions encouraging personal connections are appended. Reading list. Glos. Review covers these My Day Learning Health and Safety titles: Amanda's Fire Drill and Peter's Bus Ride.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) YA Drawing on casual, "feet up, shoes off" (#SockTalk) interviews with successful women and on advice she gives at leadership clinics, Olympic gold-medalist soccer player Foudy encourages young women to develop leadership skills in broad social spheres. Some of the advice and related exercises are generic, but Foudy and her interviewees address readers with sincerity and don't take themselves too seriously.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) 4-6 Snap Books: Build Your Business series. These volumes offer aspiring young entrepreneurs tips for starting successful pet- and babysitting businesses. Topics addressed include marketing; managing money; problem solving; recommended training or certification; and the importance of reliability, communication, and professionalism. Busily decorated with extraneous stock photos and doodles, the texts are nowhere near comprehensive but serve as encouraging and effective introductions. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Snap Books: Build Your Business titles: Start Your Pet-Sitting Business and Start Your Babysitting Business.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) 4-6 Snap Books: Build Your Business series. These volumes offer aspiring young entrepreneurs tips for starting successful pet- and babysitting businesses. Topics addressed include marketing; managing money; problem solving; recommended training or certification; and the importance of reliability, communication, and professionalism. Busily decorated with extraneous stock photos and doodles, the texts are nowhere near comprehensive but serve as encouraging and effective introductions. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Snap Books: Build Your Business titles: Start Your Pet-Sitting Business and Start Your Babysitting Business.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) 4-6 An unusually practical guide to making friends, keeping friends, and knowing when to end a friendship. Clinical psychologist Kennedy-Moore and parenting writer McLaughlin offer tips on recognizing others' "stop signals," naturally joining activities, matching the tone of a conversation, and more. The dense black-and-white format may seem off-putting, but relevant cartoon scenarios, (eye-roll-inducing) jokes, and reflection questions break up a highly readable text. Reading list. Glos.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Fred Harper. As in George Washington's Rules to Live By, Kostyal pitches fifty iconic and inspirational adages from Franklin's writings to today's youth. Categories include tranquility, industry, order, humility, and more. Each quotation is followed by Kostyal's explanation and brief historical information. Harper's caricature illustrations add a touch of humor to the otherwise preachy vibe. Websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Blazers: Take Your (Equally Horrible) Pick! series. Choose between two life-threatening scenarios: becoming trapped in a mine or a storm sewer; experiencing a wildfire or an earthquake; getting lost in the wilderness or at sea. The dangers of each situation are enumerated, but no techniques for preventing or actually surviving it are provided. Large, dramatic stock photos and an engaging layout enhance the slight text. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA This girl-power guide to style explains how readers (of all sizes) can use clothes and accessories to express their individuality and build confidence. It includes advice on choosing figure-flattering styles, creating balanced outfits, and buying clothes on a budget; stock photos of uniquely dressed teens enliven the layout. The inclusive, encouraging tone is just right for would-be fashionistas. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith