A sweet reminder that tending to our bright ideas can be transformative.
Ruthie Rose takes her spark of a writing idea and grows it with the help of her community.
As soon as Ruthie Rose wakes up, she has an idea that begins to take root. She shares it with Ms. Alexandria, “a book-talking, idea-loving librarian”; Mr. Zayn, “a collage-making, idea-loving artist”; Ms. Adelaide, “her story-sharing, idea-loving teacher”; and Lily-May, “her purple-wearing, idea-sharing friend.” The idea bounces around and finally takes shape. It’s “The Poetry Place”: “a space for everyone, a space for anyone to explore.” The illustrations blend bright, cartoonlike characters and settings with elements of collage. Ruthie Rose’s idea grows from her mind across the page, a thought bubble layered with text and painted vivid watercolors. A crinkled leather book in her hands is so realistic that it appears touchable. Disappointingly, these components appear sparsely throughout the book, though they are the most visually interesting elements. Still, Ruthie Rose’s idea bounces to life in a way that reminds readers that the most successful ideas are those that grow with community support. Muppetlike Ruthie Rose is beige-skinned with big red glasses and a mop of curly auburn hair; the supporting cast is diverse.
A sweet reminder that tending to our bright ideas can be transformative. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 4, 2025
ISBN: 9781536226492
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Nov. 23, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2025
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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