Turtle Comes Out of Her Shell (Behavior Matters)

K-Gr 2--This series approaches the subject of children's behavior and its impact on others using a bold graphic style. Each book features an animal and an emotion. In Tiger Has a Tantrum, Tiger exhibits frequent bursts of anger at school that upset his friends and get him in trouble. In Croc Has to Wait, Croc's impatience ruins her group work and her crafts. In each case, the animals must confront their behavior and determine the appropriate response to smooth over their relationships, such as apologizing to friends and cleaning up after a tantrum. Dunton's illustrations make the behaviors very identifiable while also providing fun, attention-grabbing cartoons. Graves uses familiar situations, including speaking in front of the class, going to the library, and sharing toys. While focusing on behavior, repetitive language also aids in reading comprehension. Back matter includes discussion questions and tips for parents before reading the book. VERDICT This is a not-so-serious way to address behavior issues with young children and help them reach their own conclusions. Recommended for schools and public libraries.