Out of a Jar

PreS-Gr 2--While in Marcero's previous title, In a Jar, little bunny Llewellyn collected things he loved; this time around he is trying to contain his gargantuan emotions. When he is extremely frightened, exuberantly excited, or steaming mad, he shoves all his color-coded emotions into jars and locks them in a closet. Yet, it isn't long before he discovers the dangers of his methods. With illustrative and storytelling elements of a comic book or graphic novel, Llewellyn and his emotions bounce off the page. While somewhat similar in concept to Anna Llenas's The Color Monster, Marcero offers a new spin on exploring one's emotions and promotes the importance of sharing them with others. It is a valuable lesson for young readers, and probably a vital reminder for adults as well. Peppered with rich vocabulary, the text itself is simultaneously simple and profound. VERDICT This is a needed addition to any collection, especially those looking to add titles with a focus on emotional well-being.--Kaitlin Malixi, Millbury P. L., MA