Dr. Toughlove’s August 2025 book review is a great selection for the start of the upcoming school year. Enjoy!
With summer winding down and the school year quickly approaching, Dr. Toughlove thought it was the opportune time to review a book entitled Everything in Its Place: A Story of Books and Belonging, written by Pauline David-Sax and illustrated by Charnell Pinkney Barlow.
In this book, the protagonist, Nicky, toggles between her school and Cathy’s Café, which is a restaurant owned and operated by her mother. At school, Nicky is a shy introvert who spends her recess period re-stocking returned books at her school library. She welcomes the books personally, (“Welcome home”, p. 3), and loves being in the company of the school librarian, Ms. Gillam. However……she does look out the window longingly at her noisy schoolmates who are playing soccer, jumping rope and playing hopscotch. Nicky, a self-proclaimed bookworm, embraces the comfort and tranquility of the library and finds interacting with other children a daunting task.
When Nicky goes to Cathy’s Café, she is comforted by the warm environment and the “regulars” who come to eat there. Nicky strikes up a friendship with Maggie, a woman who rides a motorcycle and shares books with her. Dr. Toughlove doesn’t want to give the story away, but let it suffice to say that Maggie teaches Nicky a valuable lesson about acceptance and belonging. When Nicky asks Maggie if riding a motorcycle is scary, her prophetic reply is “Everything in life is a risk” (p. 14).
Charnell Pinkney Barlow’s bold, colorful illustrations serve to bring Pauline David-Sax’s words to life in a vivid and engaging way. They also serve to present ideas and nuances that are unstated but are very much a part of the fabric of the story. Count on the children noticing and commenting on the subtleties presented throughout this book.
This book also provides an opportunity to provide guidance and strategies to youngsters who may be shy about interacting with their peers, particularly in new situations. Conversely, children who are outgoing can talk about how they can reach out to a shy youngster at school, on the playground, or any social setting. The range of possibilities to discuss positive interactions with peers is extensive.
Everything in Its Place: A Story of Books and Belonging, written by Pauline David-Sax and illustrated by Charnell Pinkney Barlow is suggested for readers aged 5-8 and can be found at your local library.