THE GIRL WHO SAID HELLO TO EVERYONE

Exelbierd offers a picture book that extols the merits of greeting every person you meet.

Young Rayna Rose’s father, whom she calls “Daddyo,” teaches her to greet everyone she encounters, whether they’re old friends or new acquaintances. She says hello to neighbors, cashiers, and others, asking them questions such as “Why were you named your name?” or helping them with tasks. When she’s an adult living in Delray, Florida, she continues this practice and makes new friends. Later, when her father dies, she returns home to Tennessee; there, a mail carrier compliments her father, which cheers her up: “Rayna learned even when we are sad, conversations with others make us feel not so bad!” Exelbierd presents a deeply felt homage to her late father in this story. However, it features elements that may confuse younger readers, including a tendency to skip large blocks of time and undefined references to grown-up destinations, such as a “spin gym” and to a “neighborhood worker,” whose job is unclear. The work is enlivened by Fraser’s charming, engaging full-color cartoon illustrations, which depict cute characters with U-shaped smiles and rosy cheeks. The vibrant colors pop, and sketched linework softens the impact. Rayna Rose and Daddyo are depicted as pale-skinned, while other characters show a range of skin tones.

An earnest but unevenly executed book about friendliness and optimism.