The poems in this sampling of international verse originate from all over the globe, including countries such as Poland, Iran, France, China and the United States. The lively poems and songs are accompanied by Chorao’s colorful paintings, which feature her trademark joyful, round-faced tots in a variety of dynamic scenarios and landscapes. A hodgepodge of child-friendly topics are addressed, from tickling and birthdays to elephants and the rain. Source notes would have been a nice addition, as the credits are somewhat inconsistent. Most verses are attributed to a country or continent, some list an author or are labeled anonymous or traditional, while another is an “old jingle,” with no explanation provided for how the designation was made. Children may not get a clear picture of how these countries and places vary—the emphasis is more on the universal than the particular—but they will come away with the realization that children all around the world play, dance, appreciate flowers, look at the sky—and say goodnight (the illustration includes a translation in 18 languages). (Picture book/poetry. 3-5)
Pub Date: March 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-525-47875-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2009
An upbeat introduction to a Hindu festival.
Riffing on the nursery rhyme “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe,” this picture book explores Diwali celebrations in India.
The story opens, “One, two… // mehndi for you.” Mehndi is defined below the text, and a colorful illustration depicts people showing off the mehndi on their hands. Once the book reaches 10, it starts counting backward (“Ten, nine” / fireworks shine”), continuing the rhyming pattern. The text defines Hindi words such as rangoli (“colorful designs made on the floor or ground using chalk and flowers”), diya (traditional clay lamps), and jalebi (a sweet made from deep-frying dough) as well as potentially unfamiliar English words, such as rickshaw. While not all the words are directly related to Diwali, most are common vocabulary used in northern India, rendering the book a child-friendly introduction to South Asian Hindu culture. Lush illustrations in a joyful, vibrant palette convey the feelings of India’s festive season and feature characters with a variety of skin tones but mostly similar hair textures. While the authors’ note acknowledges India’s linguistic diversity—pointing out the holiday’s alternative spelling of Deepavali—it calls Diwali an “Indian” holiday when it is actually a Hindu holiday. (This book was reviewed digitally; the review has been updated for accuracy.)
An upbeat introduction to a Hindu festival. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5344-5365-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022
The 16 rhyming poems in this collection are aimed at preschoolers who are just learning about household chores such as folding laundry, vacuuming and making beds. Some of the poems are humorous and amiable, with action provided by a toddler leaping through the laundry or a child bouncing on a bed with starry sheets. Other poems try too earnestly to make a particular chore interesting or fun, not always successfully, and several poems in the collection either don’t scan well or have a sing-songy rhythm. Koeller’s cheerful illustrations add to the volume’s appeal, with a multiethnic cast of children and parents working together both inside the home and outdoors. She shows an equal division of tasks between males and females, with boys setting the table and cleaning up and a dad folding laundry and taking care of a toddler. Preschool teachers may find this collection useful for reinforcing basic housekeeping skills in the classroom, and parents might like to try the poems with their preschoolers as a way of focusing on the message of families working cooperatively. (Poetry. 3-5)
Pub Date: March 1, 2007
ISBN: 0-525-47776-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2007
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