MAKAYLA CARES ABOUT OTHERS

Though the message is what matters most in this series from—how we best ought to carry ourselves (honesty, responsibility, respect and forgiveness being some of the topics covered)—all the good intentions would fall flat without an appealing storyline. Fortunately, Kroll takes the barebones message about doing things for others even when you don’t have to, even when it is hard to, and drapes it on the sympathetic shoulders of Makayla. Makayla likes to fix things: a broken branch, a cracked tchotchke, things young readers could fix as well. But to mend a neighbor’s heart—her old cat just died—Makayla will have to overcome a dread of bugs to help plant a memorial garden. Her fuel is personal gumption, a sense of caring and some advice from Grandpa. Cote’s sunny colors add the right touches for a story that feels just right. (Picture book. 5-8)