In Shadrick’s rhyming picture book, a forgetful elephant loses his way.

Emory is an older pachyderm living in a forest. While out for a walk one day, he finds that he can’t remember how to get home. A parrot asks if Emory needs help, and after the elephant admits that he might be lost, the bird says, “I’m happy to help you find your way. Just tell me, where did you come from? And I’ll have you home by the end of the day.” The parrot doesn’t recognize Emory’s description of his home, but offers to bring him to see a wise frog friend. The pair cross a river to reach the amphibian, who leads them to Emory’s herd. The other elephants thank the parrot and frog and invite them to celebrate Emory’s return: “We welcome you as guests and friends. You have been patient and generous, and this tale has come to a joyful end.” It’s not explicitly clear whether Emory has age-related memory loss or a more serious condition, but he’s never shown to be in real danger. This aspect also doesn’t detract from the cheerful, effective message to readers to “lend a helping hand” whenever they can. Letcher’s watercolor-style cartoon illustrations will be a big draw; the stubby-trunked elephants’ faces are especially expressive and endearing.

A sweet animal tale about aiding others.

A girl learns the importance of responsibility in Shadrick’s debut picture book.

Lisbeth, who has light brown skin and dark brown hair, is very excited to spend the day with her brother Christopher and her Grandma, but first her unruly hair must be untangled. Grandma tells Lisbeth that the tangles come from a group of ladybugs—Lana, Lola, and Laney—who threw a party in Lisbeth’s hair overnight. Lola is scared of thunderstorms, so to soothe her Lana suggests they organize a grand gala. (“No one can stay sad for very long when they are dancing.”) They recruit other ladybugs to make decorations, play music, and design stunning outfits for attendees to wear. They have a lovely time at their party, dancing until the streamers are tangled and the sun comes up. But the streamers are Lisbeth’s hair, and the ladybugs depart in such a hurry to beat the sunrise that they leave a mess behind them. Grandma urges Lisbeth to take responsibility for keeping her hair knot-free, even if the mess isn’t her own. Their relationship, as well as the resulting etiquette lesson, comes alive naturally in Shadrick’s text. (The only drawback is the ladybugs’ names all beginning with the letter L, which makes it tricky to distinguish them.) Penzlik’s charming illustrations are reminiscent of a child’s drawings, amplified to create a detailed, rainbow-colored world where ladybugs live inside a flower, dress like Frida Kahlo, and dance through the night.

A useful lesson about responsibility packaged as a delightful fairy tale.