LOOK HOW MUCH I'VE GROWN IN KINDERGARTEN

Everything grows better with a little help.

Mason doesn’t want to attend school anymore because there are things she can’t do and everyone else seems to do everything right. Mom encourages her to discuss these concerns with her teacher the next morning. Mason does, and at school, Ms. Perry thanks her for articulating her feelings. Later, Ms. Perry announces that, since today’s the first day of spring, the class’s morning meeting will focus on growth. She tells the class that everyone’s growing and changing in myriad ways. Next day, Ms. Perry displays a chart on which she invites students to indicate ways they’d like to grow. Ms. Perry encourages Mason to reflect on how much she’s growing—she knows the letters in her own name, for instance, and is “growing to be a reader”—and provides tools to help Mason learn to tie her own shoelaces. Mason begins to realize that some classmates also need help learning a few things. On the last day of school, Ms. Perry reminds everyone it’s always OK to request help in order to grow. This is a rather bland story, but it should reassure youngsters who feel doubtful about their ability to learn new skills. The colorful digital illustrations depict a multiracial cast of characters in a lively, active classroom setting. Mason, her mom, and Ms. Perry have skin in various shades of brown.

A valuable reminder that learning and growing take time, practice, and patience.