Raj's Rule

Raj has one rule: heneveruses the bathroom at school. It's just not the same as the one at home. All day, he avoids bathroom trips. Easy enough, since he lives by these tips: Don't linger at the sink. Stay away from anyone who makes you laugh. Watch out for distractions, especially schoolwork.

And sit still: no running, jumping, cartwheels, or sneezing. Until one day achoo! Raj has to break his own rule.

After he faces his fear and uses the bathroom at school, Raj feels different. He doesn't have to rush! He can try new things, laugh, explore even enjoy his work. He can stay awhile and play. Raj discovers things are better if you just go when you need to.

Told in speech bubbles with bright, lively art showing a diverse group of kids, this is a riotous rhyming read-aloud with an empathetic take on facing a common fear.(FromOwlkids)

Lana Button is a children's book author fromOntario. Her other books include My Teacher's Not Here! and What if Bunny is Not a Bully?

Hatem Alyis a children's book illustrator who lives in New Brunswick. He also illustrated the picture book The Proudest Blue, which was written by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali.

• 52 Canadian picture books coming out in fall 2020