Embarrassed Ferret (Forest School of Big Feelings #1)

This buoyant series starter focused on social-emotional development kicks off with the eponymous protagonist feeling cool and confident—walking to school “in style,/ all silky fur and cheerful smile,” writes Frenkel Riddiough in smartly scanning rhymes. But things go downhill fast via a set of mishaps that include a hallway stumble, a glitter incident, and a craft situation so gluey that the school nurse intervenes. After a painful morning, Ferret thinks that she alone is disaster-prone, but classmates soon experience their own mishaps in front of the water fountain, and a sense of collective emotional equilibrium is fully restored when Ms. Bunny passes gas. The teacher calmly turns the slip into a teachable moment, indicating that “all of us have things go wrong./ It doesn’t mean we don’t belong.” Digital paintings by Tsurumi render endearing facial expressions and relatable incidents—readers will come away knowing just how to survive life’s minor mortifications. Ages 3–7. (July)