David-Sax, Pauline. Everything in Its Place: A Story of Books and Belonging. Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, Illus. Doubleday/PRH, 07/2022. 40pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 4. $17.99. 978-0-593-37882-3. OUTSTANDING.
In this picture book, Nicky, a shy girl with red glasses and afro puffs, prefers the quiet and order of the library to the noise and social cliques of the playground at recess time. But when the librarian Ms. Gillam leaves for a conference, Nicky will have to spend recess outside.With encouragement from Maggie, a motorcyclist who comes to her Mama’s café and shares books and advice, Nicky finds the courage to face recess on the playground and even make a friend. The collage scrapbook illustrations contain cartoon-style portraits of characters of many races, shapes, and sizes. This story about anxiety with a bit of OCD rang true for this reviewer, and Nicky’s observations of the world around her are insightful, succinct, and poetic.
Reiley, Rachael—Hillcrest Elementary, Oakland Unified School District