Big Boy Joy

In a rhythmic ode to “big boy joy,” a Black child narrates playground hijinks, casually modeling “big boy” behaviors amid lively moments of play. After the child zooms gaily around, a bottom-of-the-slide crash leads to tears before the child’s own caring language ensues: “I can help. I can ask nicely, ‘Can I play with you?’” Snack time elicits an opportunity to share, and a caretaker’s “Time to go!” results in an easygoing departure. Onomatopoeic prose from Schofield-Morrison and color block–like mixed-media illustrations from Knight-Justice limn the locale’s energy, along the way subtly suggesting that big feels, full-fledged fun, and thoughtful behavior can exist hand in hand in hand . Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 3–5. (June)