Just Right

Torrey Maldonado (TorreyMaldonado.com) is the author of many award-winning, popular middle grade novels, including Hands, What Lane?, and Tight. Just Right is his picture book debut. He is a teacher in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born and raised. His books reflect his students’ and his experiences.Teresa Martínez has illustrated numerous children’s books, including My Ciudad Sings (by Cynthia Harmony), Duck Duck Taco Truck (by Laura Lavoie), Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla (by Diana Lopez), Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma (by Joanna Ho), It’s Not a Bed, It’s a Time Machine (by Mickey Rapkin), and The Halloween Tree (by Susan Montanari). She lives in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

“An uncle’s small but powerful actions make a boy feel celebrated and secure. . . . Throughout, Martinez’s illustrations mirror the boy’s emotions: static when something ‘doesn’t feel right,’ exuberant and full of motion when he soars. Maldonado’s story could be a useful teaching tool for children to reinforce trusting your intuition. Many will identify with Toby’s sadness as he notices broken glass and a playground under construction in his rundown neighborhood or his disappointment as Dad dismisses him. More directly, Maldonado shows adult readers ways to convey security and love to the children in their lives. He models specific strategies for making youngsters feel seen and valued. . . . An affirming story that highlights the impact secondary caregivers can make in children’s lives.” —Kirkus Reviews“A child navigates relationships that feel ‘just right’ in this reassuring picture book that foregrounds dynamics difficult and easeful. At a store, young Toby contemplates gifts for Dad and Uncle. . . . Toby’s concerns appear regrettably prescient when Dad ‘barely looks’ at the present. Comforted by Ma that ‘if a person ain’t right, they won’t make you feel right,’ the child heads to Uncle’s auto garage. . . . The employees at El Tio Auto Repair immediately display a positive caring energy, and the protagonist notes the way Uncle proves a consistent, outwardly affectionate presence. Martínez’s slick digital cartoons emphasize Toby’s contrasting emotional experiences. . . . It’s a concept poised to offer readers a pathway toward self-attunement.” —Publishers Weekly“Toby loves his uncle, whose warmth and affection make Toby feel good. Through several tender examples, readers see how his uncle treats him like a superhero and loves him in the way all children should be loved. By contrast, Toby’s father meets him with indifference, a sharp reminder that not all parental relationships provide the support children need. The illustrations are deeply emotional, showing how crushed Toby feels when his father ignores him—compared to the joy that lights up his face when his uncle picks him up and spins him around. In one particularly moving detail, Toby’s uncle even has a chair in his mechanic shop with Toby’s name on it, reserved just for him. These moments highlight the importance of consistent love and belonging. A powerful story about the impact of positive role models, this title is a strong choice for collections exploring family dynamics, resilience, and the many ways children find unconditional love.” —Booklist