BIG BOY JOY

An active child spends a busy day at a city playground.

Narrating in first person, the youngster—a self-proclaimed “big boy”—lists his many abilities: He can run fast, walk slow, climb high, and “GO! GO! GO!” He can “SLIDE, SLIP, and CRASH!” Oops. A run-in with another child leads to tears, but after the narrator apologizes, the two of them play with their toy dinosaurs, share a snack, and pretend to soar through outer space. Though a few adults appear, they’re largely relegated to the sidelines, keeping a watchful eye but allowing the youngsters to do what kids do best—have fun. Indeed, Schofield-Morrison depicts a refreshingly child-centric world, where little ones have the freedom to try new things, make mistakes, and solve their own problems. Minimal words (with plenty of onomatopoeia exuberantly presented in vibrant colors) and bold, simple images tell a story perfectly paced for toddlers and preschoolers. Knight-Justice zeroes in on details sure to please young audiences: a close-up of the protagonist intently turning the wheel on a toy vehicle, the drops of water sprayed by a sprinkler. Though tall buildings loom in the background, their appealing green space is filled with trees, plants, and bushes. Lettering on the protagonist’s sneakers, the slide, and the fence encircling the playground will encourage kids to identify letters they know. Both youngsters are Black.

Empowering and fun, like all the best outings.