Sometimes feelings and emotions of all of the negative things around us seem overwhelming, and this is what this book addresses, while adding a touch of imagination along the way.

The illustrations draw in right away and bring the girl across in a very sympathetic manner. She's easy to relate to as she enjoys things around her or is sad when things aren't so great. Each setting comes across gently and vividly thanks to the calming style. It also allows the rhino suit to carry a hint of humor, and that is perfect to keep things from growing too heavy or serious.

The writing flows smoothly and makes for a nice read-aloud. It balances with the illustrations. The vocabulary is just right for the age group and describes the scenes in a way the reading level can understand.

Sensitive listeners/readers will have no trouble relating to the girl, while others will see moments of themselves in her as well. The ending message is one that reminds listeners of the wonderful world around them. I was a bit surprised that her temporary ability to ignore the hurt of others wasn't really addressed, but that's more of a personal perspective.

It's a good read for alone or group settings and definitely opens up to discussions as well. I received an ARC, am giving this one 3.5 stars and rounding up. ( )