I LIKE YOUR BUTTONS!

What goes around, comes around—literally, figuratively, every which way—in this do-good, feel-good title. Cassandra compliments her teacher on the big, glittery buttons that adorn her blouse. It makes the teacher’s day, and in her sudden cheer she compliments the custodian on her work. The custodian compliments a teacher, who gives his students an early snack time, and soon good will is flying all around town, eventually right back to Cassandra: her father, after being jollied by his boss, takes pity on a stray cat and brings it home to his daughter. There is no hidden agenda here, no subtext to blur the lines. Cote’s artwork is an apt display of bold colors and mile-wide smiles, a parade of cheerfulness to make readers grin as they pick up on what’s happening and the speed with which it spreads. (Picture book. 4-8)