Big Feelings

In All Are Welcome, collaborators Penfold and Kaufman celebrated the spirit of inclusivity. Now comes the hard part: getting stuff done. A diverse group of children share the goal of converting a trash-filled lot into a playground. But cooperation is seldom a given, and "big feelings"--positive and negative--threaten the project: "Feeling bold./ Feeling mad.// Goodbye, happy./Hello, sad." (A pullout poster offers a list of emotions and attendant expressions.) The kids gradually realize that by acknowledging each other's feelings and working together, they can be successful: "I have big feelings./ You have them, too./ How can I help?/ What can we do?" Though the book lacks the exciting immediacy of the creators' previous effort, the little cast is expressive and energetic, and the reward for their hard work--a cleaned-up lot, a fabulous tire swing, and a gleeful, communal puddle splash--feels well-deserved. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Susan Ginsburg, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Alexandra Penfold, Upstart Crow Literary. (Mar.)