cover image Tessie Tames Her Tongue

Tessie Tames Her Tongue

Melissa Martin, illus. by Charles Lehman. Free Spirit, $14.99 (36p) ISBN 978-1-63198-133-3

Tessie has boundless energy and loads of curiosity, but her motormouth tendencies aggravate everyone around her. In bold digital cartoons, Lehman pictures Tessie’s rambling commentary in colorful, text-packed dialogue balloons (“I saw the cutest meerkats on TV! They communicate with sounds like we do,” she announces during class) that dominate the pages in the same way that Tessie dominates whatever space she is in. A school counselor encourages her to “tame her tongue” by learning to take a pause and listen to others. Child therapist Martin asserts that kids with big personalities and lots to say can express themselves while also improving their socialization skills. Ages 5–9. (Sept.)