Opening night

PreS-Gr 2--In this sequel to Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective, the main character returns, and this time it's opening night of the school play at Wildwood Elementary. Everyone has a good case of the nerves, but "Worry, Worry, Go Away! There's no time for you today!" offers Hattie Harmony. She also offers advice to Pearl Peppercorn, who has an outsized case of stage fright, showing Pearl how writing down how she feels will help. Plus, Hattie herself is a mess, willing to use her tail as a brush in spilled paint, reminding Seymour that "perfect" isn't as important as using his imagination for the sets, and above all else, the show must go on! When Hattie starts to succumb to backstage fever, the seamstress is right there to help her visualize a calm beach. Hattie never comes off as insufferable--a mystery best left for another day--and her good cheer keeps the whole book marching right along. Olsen and Arnett dispense wisdom in palatable child-size bites, offset with full-page illustrations in paintbox-bright colors and more backstage glee than opening night of any Broadway show. VERDICT Hattie is a trouper to amuse and deflect all of life's little annoyances; for move up day or a larger piece of stagecraft, this book has an SEL foundation that makes it useful and fun in a variety of settings.--Kimberly Olson Fakih

In this latest from actor Olsen and her husband, musician/writer Arnett, a feline "Worry Detective" once more helps her animal classmates conquer their fears. It's opening night of Wildwood Elementary's school play, and anxieties abound. After receiving a call from Pearl Peppercorn, who needs help dealing with stage fright, Hattie Harmony is on the case with her Worry Detective Tool Belt. As the students prepare for showtime, Hattie provides others--including Seymour Swiggletooth, a member of the crew upset at having spilled paint, and Duncan Delmar, the play's director, who frets when he can't turn the stage lights back on--with coping strategies such as journaling, taking breaks, and breathing deeply. Hattie's classmates--and Hattie herself--benefit from her anxiety-relieving strategies, which readers in similar situations will find valuable. An authors' note explains various skills to help kids cope with anxiety, perfectionism, and overwhelming thoughts. Valdez's illustrations are appealing. Hattie is a bespectacled, trench coat--wearing striped cat. The other animals have expressive faces and exaggerated features, like the buck teeth on Seymour, a beaver. Stage lights and flashlights (when the lights go off) bring several scenes to life, and there are plenty of details to take in. The story is straightforward, the writing without flourish, but it nevertheless presents concrete, useful suggestions for confronting anxiety. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Practical advice to help empower young worriers. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.