On-the-nose humor geared for new parents and precocious kids.
An omniscient everybaby instructs other infants on the care and feeding of a new mother.
“Congratulations! It’s a…MOM!…You’ve introduced yourself, had a snuggle, and shared a meal. BUT…” A thought balloon reveals a newborn baby’s most pressing concern—“WHAT NOW?”—as the little one is cradled by Mom in a hospital bed. Fortunately, the narrator is here to walk a theoretical all-baby readership through Mom Care 101, dispensing both affirmations (“You’ve been preparing for this since you were the size of an avocado. If anyone can take good care of her, it’s you”) and practical advice (“Your new mom will require round-the-clock care, so it’s best to plan for staying up all night”). (Ah! So that’s why babies are awake at all hours.) In case it isn’t obvious by now, the book’s abundant humor is suited to adults familiar with new-parent agita (“Don’t plan on her wearing any one outfit for long. New moms are notorious for spit-ups and spills. It’s all part of the fun!”). While many kids will enjoy Gutierrez’s cartoonish digital art featuring adorable babies in a range of skin colors, some may be confused rather than amused by images of the book’s despondent moms. In one such illustration, a “fussy” (crying, overwhelmed, and defeated) mother sits on the floor as a baby in a bouncy seat yowls across the room.
On-the-nose humor geared for new parents and precocious kids. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 10, 2026
ISBN: 9781623546427
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2025
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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
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