TROUBLE TALK

This purposive tale about gossip has great potential as a discussion starter. New girl Bailey loves to talk, but narrator Maya finds that too many of her observations are rude or inappropriate. Defining “trouble talk” as “Spreading rumors, saying hurtful things, and sharing information that isn’t [one’s] to share,” Ms. Bloom, a school counselor, helps the young narrator to sort out her feelings about her vivacious but insensitive new friend. Ludwig acknowledges the lure of connection and the pleasure of sharing information about others but also exposes the harm that words can do. Luckily, she avoids a dry, preachy tone despite the seriousness of the subject. Prevost’s simultaneously realistic and quirky illustrations combine watercolor, gouache, acrylic and collage, adding energy and emotion to the text and helping it to flow naturally. The informative foreword and backmatter will be useful to adults using the book with children. While it’s unlikely to be any child’s favorite read-aloud, an above-average presentation makes it a surprisingly successful picture book. (author’s note, discussion questions, additional resources) (Picture book. 5-8)