When author/illustrator John Rocco interviewed people who had experienced the 2003 blackout in the Northeast, he noted a special look in their eyes and heard vivid memories. That was his inspiration for this Caldecott Honor Book. Why stay in a stuffy apartment when you could be on the roof with a star-filled sky or on the street in the midst of an instant party? Stanley Tucci's narration does Rocco proud. He gives weight to each descriptive phrase and dramatically elongates words like "candles” and "flashlights," providing anticipatory pauses while young listeners look at the illustrations. Each family member in the story is given a distinctive voice. Background sounds underscore the city setting, and jaunty music enlivens the party scene. An interview with John Rocco completes the production.
(Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
Duration: 5 mins
Publisher: Weston Woods Studios
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Live Oak Media recently caught our attention with this new read-along book and cassette program. We listened first, and were so delighted we couldn't wait to get the book. The picture book made the experience even better, but the audio recordings was strong and vibrant by itself. THE GARDENER, Sarah Stewart's Depression-era story of a young girl sent to live with her Uncle Jim in the city has a sweet, wistful quality with narration alone, but coupled with David Small's soft-edged pencil illustration, it's a total delight. The reading is repeated on both sides of the tape, one with and without page-turning signals.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: N/A
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Edwards gives a soulful performance.
Young Juniper visits her grandmother's house, where Grandma tells her about their ancestors from Africa and their practice of hoodoo. Together, Juniper and Grandma tend to the garden, go for walks in the woods, attend church, create herb-filled mojo bags, and visit the cemetery to place offerings for their ancestors, whom Grandma says are always with them. Narrator Janina Edwards conveys Grandma’s wisdom with an earthy and relaxed narration, expressing a clear connection with the natural world, a refuge for both of them. Edwards also handily portrays Juniper's sense of wonder as she navigates this spiritual connection, inspiring listeners to pay attention to the world around them.
Edwards gives a soulful performance. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Duration: 13 mins
DD ISBN: 9798349168703
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: June 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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