MAKING A FRIEND

Name: MAKING A FRIEND
Author: Alison McGhee
ISBN: 978-1-4169-8998-1

by Alison McGhee & illustrated by Marc Rosenthal ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 4, 2011

This retro salute to friendship simply tries to be too much to be successful—it does not hold a candle to McGhee's prior...

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The early-children’s-book feel of Rosenthal’s pencil-and-digital illustrations is what will first strike readers of McGhee’s rather morose celebration of the forever nature of friendship.

A young boy looks forward to winter’s snowy fun. When it finally arrives, he crafts the perfect snowman friend, complete with nose, mouth, eyes, arms and the bright-red ball cap taken from his own head. He labels him, “My Snowman.” But while it is obvious that the boy spends some time admiring the snowman, the wordless pages devoted to their relationship fail to develop it fully, and readers may be left wondering why he is so sad when spring melts his friend. Where is he? Intuiting concepts beyond his apparent years, the boy finds his friend in the falling water and rain, in the fog and frost (although it is never explained to young readers how this is scientifically so), proving that McGhee’s unsubtly stated message is true: “What you love will always be with you.” And when the seasons come full circle, the two are reacquainted. Rosenthal’s illustrations are blotches of color on a stark white background, echoing the wintry setting and the boy’s sorrow, as well as the sparseness of the slow-paced text.

This retro salute to friendship simply tries to be too much to be successful—it does not hold a candle to McGhee's prior works such as Someday or Little Boy, both illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (2007, 2008) (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2011

ISBN: 978-1-4169-8998-1

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2011

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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WEIRD SAD AND SILENT
by Alison McGhee

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TELEPHONE OF THE TREE
by Alison McGhee

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BABY BE
by Alison McGhee ; illustrated by Sean Qualls

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THE SHABBAT PRINCESS

by Amy Meltzer & illustrated by Martha Avilés ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2011

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The Shabbat Queen, a Talmudic metaphor for the importance of a welcoming, regal atmosphere for family and guests each week, inspires a little girl and her parents to set their table with a few special items.

Rosie wonders whether, since a Shabbat Queen exists, there can also be a Shabbat Princess? Neither her mother nor her father has ever heard of one, but they invite Rosie to be their princess for the evening. Rosie dresses up for the occasion, while her parents add crystal candlesticks and the just-polished silver goblet to the customary best dishes. Rosie’s addition of a golden sequined scarf for a challah cover completes a Shabbat table fit for royalty. Pink- and lavender-shaded scenes of a modern home setting (often flanked by a side border of flowered vines) alternate with Rosie’s imagined majestic view. A panorama of rolling meadows beyond a castle filled with lords, ladies and court jesters surrounds a tall, bejeweled Shabbat Queen wearing a flowing rose-pink gown and golden crown. Following the three blessings and the banquetlike meal, Rosie wonders aloud about the appropriateness of creating such extravagance and is assured by her parents: “When an honored guest visits our house, she deserves extra-special treatment.” Meltzer’s child-oriented tale presents a lovely way to honor the Sabbath with a bit of respectful festivity. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-7613-5142-9

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Kar-Ben

Review Posted Online: Aug. 9, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2011

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS FICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
A MEZUZAH ON THE DOOR
by Amy Meltzer & illustrated by Janice Fried

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WHAT'S IN YOUR PURSE?

by Abigail Samoun ; illustrated by Nathalie Dion ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2014

The purse-as-book gimmick has been done several times before, but this iteration of the novelty is more chic than tacky.

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Peek inside five different purses, each one owned by a different member of the same family.

Each double-page spread has a large flap, hinged at the top. This front flap opens from the bottom to reveal two or three smaller flaps representing various objects inside the tote, from Mommy’s compact with a Mylar mirror inside to the passport of a world-traveling auntie. The text is an invitation to open Grandma’s, Sis’ or even the protagonist’s purse as well as a series of questions to encourage readers to examine the contents more closely. “What year was Grandma born?” “What month did Auntie travel to New York?” Young readers may need help answering some of these queries, since several require them to read schedules and very small type. Although the cover purse is pink, it is refreshing to see that the purses these women carry are yellow, green and purple. The last page shows the five Caucasian women and girls of this family all out for a walk, each carrying her purse. The entire package is purse-shaped, with die-cut handles and a plastic snap for a closure, none of which will stand up to heavy-duty play. Unfortunately, a couple of things are already starting to look dated, particularly Sis’ flip phone.

The purse-as-book gimmick has been done several times before, but this iteration of the novelty is more chic than tacky. (Novelty book. 4-6)