Lana Button – författare

Brianna Banana has the best secret in the history of Grade 3: she knows she is Helper of the Day!

But when Miss Dee, a new substitute teacher, takes over her class and doesn’t know anything about Helper of the Day, all Brianna's hopes are dashed. Soon she's in trouble for yelling and the principal is giving her another lecture. But when a fire drill is called and Brianna uses her fire drill experience to make sure both Miss Dee and her classmate Rumi make it safely outside, Brianna learns that there is more than one way to be the Helper of the Day!

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

★ “Reminiscent of Junie B. Jones. Well-meaning Brianna’s smart narration relates her struggles coping with family upheaval, bullying, and frequent communication snafus and misunderstandings with adults as well as her yearning for a best friend. Grayscale illustrations by Ogawa evoke Raina Telgemeier vibes and bring funny scenes of this charming read by Button to vivid life.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review for Brianna Banana, Helper of the Day

For the first time in the history of her Grade 3 life, Brianna walks into Room 109 without one thought about Helper of the Day.

What a surprise when she sees her name on the board! And guess what? There’s an opening for her to join the Cheese Girls too! All she has to do is pick Kinsley to go with her to deliver the library books. But does Brianna have what it takes to be a Cheese Girl? Or does she even want to be one? Maybe spending time with a real friend is better than being included in a club.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Praise for Brianna Banana, Helper of the Day:

★“Readers will root for Brianna, while perhaps understanding why she has so few friends. A flawed but sympathetic character worthy of readers’ love.”—Kirkus, starred review for Brianna Banana, Helper of the Day

★ “Reminiscent of Junie B. Jones. Illustrations by Ogawa evoke Raina Telgemeier vibes and bring funny scenes of this charming read by Button to vivid life.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review for Brianna Banana, Helper of the Day

There’s a new kid in the kindergarten class, but she won’t say a word! But … does it really matter? This sweet story has a timely message: there are many ways to make — and be — a friend!

The students in Miss Seabrooke’s kindergarten class don’t understand why the new student won’t respond when they talk to her. Speaking LOUDER doesn’t help. Tayra doesn’t even answer the teacher! Should they just leave her be? Maybe, Kitty decides, she can show Tayra things instead of telling her. Happily, it works! Soon the pair find they can communicate with gestures, dancing, drawings and smiles. And when the others see how much fun they’re having, they join in, too! It seems words aren’t the only way to connect and be friends!

In this charming picture book, Lana Button uses playful, cadenced rhyming text to explore the art of making a friend. This story sensitively captures a kindergartener’s fears and uncertainties, especially around being new and “different” and models compassion, acceptance and friendship as a reassuring way for others to respond. Christine Battuz’s expressive illustrations clearly convey the friends’ emotions as they process this new experience and try to decide what to do about it. This book is a perfect springboard for discussions about feelings, friendship, differences and belonging. It’s a strong choice for character education lessons on kindness, empathy, inclusiveness and caring.