You Can Do It, Bert! by Ole Könnecke -- ESSENTIAL

Könnecke, Ole You Can Do It, Bert! PICTURE BOOK. Gecko Press, 2015. $16.99. Content: G.

It's Bert's big day, but jumping off the safety of his branch turns out to be really tough. With the encouragement of his friends, however, Bert may just discover that, yes, he can do it!

This is a quick read with few words and simple but expressive illustrations. It's well suited to reading aloud, and the twist at the end will likely surprise many students. Would work especially well as a boost before students embark on a difficult project or test. Would also be a great beginner for a discussion on anxiety, fear, and how to approach scary tasks.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Caryn