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PINKY PROMISE

BREAKING THE CODE OF SILENCE

A helpful resource that approachably addresses a difficult topic.

Turner’s picture book encourages parents and children to keep an open dialogue about preventing sexual abuse.

The author shows examples of inappropriate interactions between adults and children and emphasizes that parent-child communication is vital for keeping children safe. In fact, the refrain of the text is: “You can tell me.” Turner (Hey Ugly, 2015) includes a “Dear Responsible Adult” letter explaining the ways the book can be used as a tool for parents to protect their children while broaching sensitive topics. Other interactive elements include instructions for parent and child to “interlock” pinkies symbolizing commitment and a tear-out “Pinky Promise” certificate for parent and child to sign. Resource pages include hotlines, the author’s social media accounts, and suggested hashtags. Also featured are several topically relevant poems by the author. Richburg’s illustrations show people of various ages and ethnicities. The bold, saturated hues and graphic-novel–style images provide concrete context. For example, where the text reads, “If someone asks you to keep a bad secret, you can tell me,” the accompanying illustration depicts an adult embracing a visibly uncomfortable child and a bubble encasing the words, “Remember what we talked about.” Using simple language and pictures kids can relate to, Turner tackles a challenging subject. This read will undoubtedly incite necessary discussion.

A helpful resource that approachably addresses a difficult topic.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2017

ISBN: 978-0-692-92277-4

Page Count: 34

Publisher: CreateSpace

Review Posted Online: Feb. 14, 2018

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TALES FOR VERY PICKY EATERS

Broccoli: No way is James going to eat broccoli. “It’s disgusting,” says James. Well then, James, says his father, let’s consider the alternatives: some wormy dirt, perhaps, some stinky socks, some pre-chewed gum? James reconsiders the broccoli, but—milk? “Blech,” says James. Right, says his father, who needs strong bones? You’ll be great at hide-and-seek, though not so great at baseball and kickball and even tickling the dog’s belly. James takes a mouthful. So it goes through lumpy oatmeal, mushroom lasagna and slimy eggs, with James’ father parrying his son’s every picky thrust. And it is fun, because the father’s retorts are so outlandish: the lasagna-making troll in the basement who will be sent back to the rat circus, there to endure the rodent’s vicious bites; the uneaten oatmeal that will grow and grow and probably devour the dog that the boy won’t be able to tickle any longer since his bones are so rubbery. Schneider’s watercolors catch the mood of gentle ribbing, the looks of bewilderment and surrender and the deadpanned malarkey. It all makes James’ father’s last urging—“I was just going to say that you might like them if you tried them”—wholly fresh and unexpected advice. (Early reader. 5-9)

Pub Date: May 1, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-547-14956-1

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Clarion Books

Review Posted Online: April 4, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2011

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ABIYOYO RETURNS

The seemingly ageless Seeger brings back his renowned giant for another go in a tuneful tale that, like the art, is a bit sketchy, but chockful of worthy messages. Faced with yearly floods and droughts since they’ve cut down all their trees, the townsfolk decide to build a dam—but the project is stymied by a boulder that is too huge to move. Call on Abiyoyo, suggests the granddaughter of the man with the magic wand, then just “Zoop Zoop” him away again. But the rock that Abiyoyo obligingly flings aside smashes the wand. How to avoid Abiyoyo’s destruction now? Sing the monster to sleep, then make it a peaceful, tree-planting member of the community, of course. Seeger sums it up in a postscript: “every community must learn to manage its giants.” Hays, who illustrated the original (1986), creates colorful, if unfinished-looking, scenes featuring a notably multicultural human cast and a towering Cubist fantasy of a giant. The song, based on a Xhosa lullaby, still has that hard-to-resist sing-along potential, and the themes of waging peace, collective action, and the benefits of sound ecological practices are presented in ways that children will both appreciate and enjoy. (Picture book. 5-9)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2001

ISBN: 0-689-83271-0

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2001

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