Henry's picture-perfect day

Gr 1--3--It's Classroom Ten's Picture Day; everyone has to smile, and everything has to be perfect. But Henry is not happy. Everything is wrong. He has the wrong shirt (striped), the wrong snack (carrots), and even the wrong smile (Henry's loose middle front tooth has just popped out and left a big hole). Henry is left anxiously wondering how this can be a picture-perfect day when so much is not right. This is the third entry in the series, where autistic Henry and his classmates learn to adjust while navigating unfamiliar situations. With its short chapters, easy text, gentle humor, and depiction of relatable feelings of unease while offering satisfyingly warm, non-threatening solutions, this title is ideal for young readers who will empathize with the characters' feelings of anxiety. VERDICT A worthy title to add to a library's early chapter book shelves, especially those featuring neurodiversity among young people.--Cheryl Blevens

It's Picture Day for Henry and the other kids in Classroom Ten. Some of the students are excited, but Henry, who appears to be on the autism spectrum, can't help fidgeting in his uncomfortable clothes. Their teacher, Mrs. Tanaka, receives word that the photographer is running late. What should the class do while they wait? Mrs. Tanaka discourages any suggestion that involves getting messy, and the class settles on having a snack. When Henry bites into his carrot stick, something goessnap! One of his teeth is now loose, and soon it pops out completely. But where did his tooth go? His friends help him search among the supply of dirt the class recently used to plant beans--an accidentally messy activity. Henry's shirt might be smeared with dirt, and his smile might have a gap, but Mrs. Tanaka says that pictures aren't about looking perfect; they're about commemorating "special times and special friends." Henry realizes that the best way to do that is by being himself. Once again, Bailey has created a conscientious portrayal of a child who marches to the beat of his own drum yet who always feels included. The sense of community within Henry's diverse class is lovely; everyone makes mistakes but ultimately supports one another. Song's soft watercolor-and-ink illustrations, rendered in black and white with pops of purple, are wryly insightful, as always. Henry and Mrs. Tanaka present as East Asian. Another charming outing for this winsome protagonist.(Early chapter book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.