YOU CAN SIT WITH ME

The new kid on the block weathers ups and downs with guidance from a compassionate classmate. A light-skinned family--made up of two parents and two kids--unpacks their car in a suburban neighborhood. As one of the children gazes over uncertainly, a brown-skinned, bespectacled youngster sits on a nearby doorstep and waves: "If you need a friend, you can sit with me." Smoothly rhyming text narrated by the brown-skinned neighbor describes a variety of disheartening experiences: nearly missing the bus, having nowhere to sit at lunch, and struggling academically. But the narrator is there to help: "When the group is leaving you out, / you may just want to shout! / You can sit with me." Young readers will happily chime in as the child delivers the titular refrain each time. The youngster exhibits caring behaviors that go well beyond saving a seat, from sharing an umbrella on a rainy day to inviting the newcomer to a study session--activities shown to make the classroom a more welcoming place for all. Kamshilina's artwork builds on Kenyon's verse as the new kid slowly grows in confidence; it all culminates with the newcomer (a dinosaur lover) and the narrator throwing a dino-themed party attended by all their classmates. The simply drawn, endearing characters are diverse in skin tone and hair color. Kindness 101.(Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.