A vivid, loving homage to family, embodied in an activity beloved by all.
A fourth-generation surfer girl loses a family heirloom, but the board carries onward to further watery adventures.
In Lana’s mother’s surf shop hangs “a surfboard, aged by weather, use, and love.” Lana’s great-grandmother first found the board, cleaned it up, and taught herself to surf. “Then she taught her daughter, who taught her daughter, who taught Lana.” Tempted by “a big swell,” Lana can’t resist grabbing the board to catch the perfect wave. A crash returns her to shore but sends the board out to sea. When she anxiously confesses to her grandmother, Lana expects anger but receives loving understanding about letting go. The board, meanwhile, floats through the sea, having new experiences, until it lands on shore. It’s discovered by a young girl, who uses it to teach herself to surf. Years later, Lana recognizes the familiar board, 5,000 miles away. Feagan creates a poignantly interconnected, multigenerational narrative. She uses faded blues, greens, and golds to denote memories and brightly saturated colors to highlight the present. Details of the board’s journey follow the show-don’t-tell motto, with illustrations capturing entertaining encounters with a whale, a giant squid, nesting seagulls, and more. In its newest incarnation, the board finally sprouts an ankle tether to prevent it from moving on—again. Landscapes suggest an island setting, populated by characters depicted in various shades of brown.
A vivid, loving homage to family, embodied in an activity beloved by all. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 9, 2026
ISBN: 9798217040827
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
This warm family story is a splendid showcase for the combined talents of Medina, a Pura Belpré award winner, and Dominguez,...
Abuela is coming to stay with Mia and her parents. But how will they communicate if Mia speaks little Spanish and Abuela, little English? Could it be that a parrot named Mango is the solution?
The measured, evocative text describes how Mia’s español is not good enough to tell Abuela the things a grandmother should know. And Abuela’s English is too poquito to tell Mia all the stories a granddaughter wants to hear. Mia sets out to teach her Abuela English. A red feather Abuela has brought with her to remind her of a wild parrot that roosted in her mango trees back home gives Mia an idea. She and her mother buy a parrot they name Mango. And as Abuela and Mia teach Mango, and each other, to speak both Spanish and English, their “mouths [fill] with things to say.” The accompanying illustrations are charmingly executed in ink, gouache, and marker, “with a sprinkling of digital magic.” They depict a cheery urban neighborhood and a comfortable, small apartment. Readers from multigenerational immigrant families will recognize the all-too-familiar language barrier. They will also cheer for the warm and loving relationship between Abuela and Mia, which is evident in both text and illustrations even as the characters struggle to understand each other. A Spanish-language edition, Mango, Abuela, y yo, gracefully translated by Teresa Mlawer, publishes simultaneously.
This warm family story is a splendid showcase for the combined talents of Medina, a Pura Belpré award winner, and Dominguez, an honoree. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6900-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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