Gr 1–4 —Picture day is always exciting and that's very true for Mrs. Hartwell's elementary students. She reminds them the day before to look their best for their school pictures. The problem is that their pictures are scheduled for the end of the day, and staying picture perfect the entire day is a true challenge for them all. Danneberg writes a delightful story of a teacher's love and affection for her students as she does her very best to engage them in learning without completely ruining their picture-perfect status. It seems that everything that could go wrong does, but Mrs. Hartwell is prepared and ready to fix any issues her students may have. Love captures the essence of a teacher and her students struggling through what turns out to be a long and frustrating day, but one that ends perfectly. VERDICT With surprising twists and turns, plus built-in suspense, this is a book that adults and children alike will enjoy.—Laura Ellis

A tradition as familiar as the first day of school.Mrs. Hartwell's elementary class has come dressed to the nines for class-picture day. The only problem? Photographs won't be taken until the end of the day, so everyone has to stay neat and tidy until then. Throughout the day, the students are tremendously careful, and their routine goes relatively smoothly-except when a tomato explodes on a student; the pencil sharpener breaks, spilling shavings all over another student; and everyone cleans up the classroom at the end of the day. Each time there's a mishap, Mrs. Hartwell reassures the kids with a "Don't worry, I can fix it." When it is finally time for pictures, the students look smart and neat in their individual photos. Relieved, they run off to play-and make a mess-before convening for a photo of the whole class, in which everyone looks rumpled and disorganized. But, says Mrs. Hartwell when they finally see the photo, "You're picture-perfect just the way you are!" This latest series installment is as much about Mrs. Hartwell as it is about her students, reminding readers that all classrooms have their own symbiosis. Educators will find this book all too relatable, while children will laugh at the fun Mrs. Hartwell's class has together. Love's watercolor illustrations are marvelously detailed and look almost like photographs themselves. Mrs. Hartwell is light-skinned; her class is diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)A class abuzz on a special day! (Picture book. 5-8)