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WITHOUT WINGS, MOTHER, HOW CAN I FLY?

Name: WITHOUT WINGS, MOTHER, HOW CAN I FLY?
Author: Norma Farber
ISBN: 0-8050-3380-7

by Norma Farber & illustrated by Keiko Narahashi ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1998

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Farber’s comforting question-and-answer session between a boy and his mother forms the basis for Narahashi’s exuberant scenes of sharing. “Spittle bugs blow bubbles, Can I do that?” the boy asks. “With suds and a pipe,” his mom replies. Always, he looks to the world around him, wondering how he can emulate the interesting things he sees. Always his mother provides a way: To change color as a chameleon does, she suggests he change his coat; to stay as snug as a caterpillar in its cocoon, she tells him to snuggle up in his sleeping bag. Narahashi’s soft watercolor washes make the pictures as compact as the text, while the jacket painting, of the mother’s skirt twirling as she spins the child around off his feet, sets the tone and invites readers into the pages. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 1, 1998

ISBN: 0-8050-3380-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1998

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
THE BOY WHO LONGED FOR A LIFT
by Norma Farber & illustrated by Brian Selznick

- BOOK REVIEW
I SWIM AN OCEAN IN MY SLEEP
by Norma Farber & illustrated by Elivia Savadier

- BOOK REVIEW
WHEN IT SNOWED THAT NIGHT
by Norma Farber & illustrated by Petra Mathers

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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HOW TO CATCH A MAMASAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.

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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.