Otis, Chad. The Bright Side. Rocky Pond Books, 2023. 978-0-593-53062-7. 40 p. $18.99. Grades K-3. 

Sometimes it’s hard to stay positive, especially when you feel very different from those around you. This story opens with a young boy waving goodbye to his friends and boarding an old school bus with his Mom and Dad. The bus is their home now, and although saying goodbye is difficult, his family encourages him to look on the bright side. From making “pizza toast” with bread and ketchup, to showering with a hose in the “great outdoors” and getting to do school on the bus, the family approaches each new experience with optimism and imagination. When it’s time for the boy to attend his first day at a traditional school, however, he realizes some days can be more challenging than others. Although he initially struggles to understand classroom routines and expectations and to fit in with his peers, remembering to look on the bright side turns out to be a superpower. Vibrant illustrations created from pencil, ink, collected textures, and digital paint depict the wide range of emotions the boy experiences, including sadness, anxiety, confusion, surprise, pride, and confidence.

THOUGHTS: Although this title tackles the weighty subject of houselessness, it does so with sensitivity, and the overall tone remains optimistic. It will serve as a good conversation starter for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds, and the message about trying to look on the bright side during challenging times will resonate widely.

Picture Book