Andy Paris spins a sentimental story about a traditional Fourth of July celebration, including raffles and penny-pitching. Reading slowly, he sounds like a teenager as he describes the various highlights of the day, such as the food and concert later in the evening. The events and tone of the story emphasize family warmth and community spirit. Without accompanying illustrations, however, the story is disjointed, as if Paris is describing a series of unrelated scenes. Perhaps listening along with the print book would tie together the story and better captivate young listeners. A.G.H.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: 2003
Duration: N/A
DD ISBN:
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
While holiday books for children abound, there seem to be too few that have an audio component. The seven-day festival of Kwanzaa, celebrated in December, lends itself to the read-along format with the Pinkneys' appealing picture book. Alfre Woodard introduces the African-American holiday and reads the story by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Clearly enunciating the African words for the foods, gifts and elements of the celebration, Woodard projects a welcoming tone that any listener can share. Traditional African music accompanies the tape--one side with page-turn signals, one without--but remains appropriately in the background. The vivid colors and contrasts of the illustrations make the picture book a standout, but the recording is nicely effective alone.
Pub Date:
Duration: 11 mins
Publisher: Weston Woods Studios
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners will enjoy the short, magical adventure of young Cala and her family during the night of Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead). While they all begin to gather in the cemetery to remember loved ones and friends who have passed on, it's clear that Cala is apprehensive and scared, especially now that her grandfather has died. At some point, she's separated from her family and encounters four hilarious skeleton riders who somehow put her at ease. By the end of the story, she realizes she's not afraid, is reminded of the eternal love of her grandfather, and is quite taken with this important holiday. Diana Bustelo's voices for secondary characters often whisper and are sometimes difficult to understand. This audiobook would pair nicely with the picture-book version for any small child.
(Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668649299
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
