A natural shower gift for parents-to-be or an excellent way to introduce the topic of where a young reader’s story began.
Everyone loves a good beginning.
Graff delivers a heartwarming tale about a baby’s introduction into the world, one guaranteed to be read and reread by children who wonder where their own tales began. She employs a simple yet effective rhyme scheme—each rhyming couplet ends with “you”—that soothes like a cherished lullaby as the narrator describes the wait for the birth of a baby. Graff, known for her enchanting middle-grade novels (Far Away, 2019, etc.), deftly relays the worry, delight, anticipation, and joy of impending parenthood. With each spread she employs the now-popular comparison of fruit to developing baby as eager expectant parents address the child to come: “When you were an eggplant, we called in our crew. / We painted and prepped and we waited for you,” reads one representative spread. German artist Kaulitzki shares an inclusive cast of characters, depicting a multitude of family types to satisfy many of the ways modern people create a family, including evidently same-sex couples and several sets of interracial parents. While there are plenty of pregnant bellies in evidence, some scenes are open to interpretation of adoptive families. Her color palette is soft, rich, and warm, and her compositions are the artistic equivalent of a hug, blending fluid lines and whimsical colors as well as patterns to appeal to a diverse audience. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-16-inch double-page spreads reviewed at 150% of actual size.)
A natural shower gift for parents-to-be or an excellent way to introduce the topic of where a young reader’s story began. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-984837-38-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2020
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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