Extra Ezra makes an extra-special friend

Known for his exuberance, Ezra can make any day seem extraordinary. When Jane joins his class, one look at her kind eyes, her rainbow barrettes, and the glittery soccer ball dangling from her backpack and he knows she's going to be an extra-special friend. On the playground, Ezra begins a conversation and learns that she's missing her nana. But his response, a song and silly dance, irritates Jane, who asks him to leave. After he confers with Mom, who advises, "When you want to make a friend, you have to listen to what they want," Ezra tries a more restrained approach. And when Jane hears that Nana will be visiting soon, she and Ezra do a happy dance together. The concise, upbeat story has broad appeal, and Ezra's mother's advice could be helpful to many kids who, like Ezra, aren't quite sure how to befriend someone. Created with black ink, graphite, and colored pencils, the illustrations feature strong, expressive lines and bright colors, which show up beautifully against the white pages. A satisfying picture book.

Ezra "adds dazzle to everything he does," LaReau writes, as Kirsch's crisp multimedia cartoons show Ezra bringing a glitter-festooned, over-the-top joie de vivre to home and school. Everyone seems to love it--except new girl Jane, whose bright accessories draw Ezra's notice. But Jane ignores Ezra's constant attentions, and when he blithely bursts into song after she divulges a source of malaise, she loses it: "Please go away, Ezra!" Crushed, Ezra gets some good advice from Mama ("When you want to be someone's friend, you need to listen to what they want"), and learns that he can dial back the entertainment, up the empathy, and even be quiet when asked. The creators push their comic exaggeration almost to the breaking point--Ezra is more old-school Las Vegas showman than elementary schooler--but ebullient readers struggling with being mindful of others and true to their always-on selves should find reassurance in this friendship story. Ages 4--8. (Mar.)