HENRY’S SHOW AND TELL

With her bright, happy artwork and easy-to-digest storyline, Carlson tackles a case of kindergarten stage fright. Henry—a young mouse with ears like military radar—loves everything about kindergarten: the songs, the stories, the great hugs from his teacher. But when it comes to show-and-tell, Henry gets the yips: sweat creases his brow, words fail to escape his lips, and trembles shake his body: “Is he going to barf?” asks Tony. There’s always a Tony. Practice gets him only so far, but distraction gets him to the goal line; his pet iguana escapes and takes his mind off the task at hand. So does the escape of his pet spider when next he has a show-and-tell to deliver, which clears the classroom fast, obviating the performance anxiety. Not all kids who suffer stage fright will be able to tap into Henry’s solutions, but at least they’ll know that others share in their dilemma and answers, often as not unanticipated, await their deliverance. (Picture book. 3+)