Nora the Mind Reader

K-Gr 1—Nora is bothered by a boy's insensitive comment that she has "flamingo legs." Her mother gives her a hug and a magic wand (one of those sticks from a bottle of bubble solution) to look through to see people's thoughts, compared to what they say. For example, a child who says, "I don't feel like playing" is thinking, "I don't feel like losing." After viewing several classmates through the wand, Nora begins to understand that they don't all intend to be unkind or hurtful; they just might not know how to or want to express their real feelings. And she realizes that her own kindness, attitude, and empathy help others to feel less defensive, and that "getting insulted didn't really make sense." This is a sophisticated idea and an unrealistic skill for most young children to acquire-many adults have yet to master it-but readers will be able to identify with Nora's peers. The illustrator's mixed-media/collage images add interest, especially the faint suggestion of Hebrew newsprint that lends texture to the backgrounds.—Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID