Charlotte loves school, learning, and being with her friends, but combining the three doesn't work for anyone. A whispering Charlotte and her friend miss Miss Flora's announcement about "show-and-share" and bring nothing special the next day. Etta can't finish her book when Charlotte's talking to her, and Max is in a similar boat with his math worksheet. Lily, Ben, and Charlotte all feel hungry after they talk right through lunchtime. The next day, Charlotte's classmates shush her and insist on listening and learning. Miss Flora points out that the things Charlotte loves about school are things her friends love too, but they can't enjoy them for all the butterfly's chatter. This aha moment sparks a change. Cardoso's illustrations depict the characters as anthropomorphized insects. Charlotte has deep purple skin and purple puffball pigtails on top of her head. While most of the bugs have skin tones that match their natural colorations, some have pale or brown coloring and hair in a range of human shades. The fact that most of the insects' mouths are perpetually wide open is rather distracting—kids may wonder how they can listen and talk at the same time. Also unfortunate is the fact that the darkest-skinned child, who is also the one with Afro-styled hair, is represented as the problem.The bugs' world may distract readers from the tale's didacticism, but the ones who need this message most are unlikely to learn it here; they're busy talking. (Picture book. 3-7)

Charlotte is a sweet purple butterfly who loves playing with her bug friends, from dress-up and dolls to trucks and make believe. She has never met a stranger mblebee, pincer bug, or ladybug o wasn't an instant friend. The problem is, when it's time for math, she can't stop singing, and when it's time for reading, she wants to chat. Soon her friends become frustrated, but with the help of an understanding teacher, Charlotte learns to save her playing for the playground, which makes her not only a better student but also a better friend. This simple story takes place in a whimsical village where schools are carved out of gourds, and brightly colored toadstools serve as classroom chairs. The message at you can love learning and being with your friends, but maybe not at the same time earnest in intent and execution. For chatterers and doodlers and squirmers everywhere, this is an open and nonjudgmental interpretation of the consequences of talking without listening. Social butterflies like Charlotte will be delighted to recognize their struggle.