A nice addition to the bilingual musical shelf.
One half of the Latin Grammy–winning music duo 123 Andrés and Pura Belpré honoree Palacios team up in this bilingual (Spanish/English) book on friendship.
Presenting two versions of the same song—one in English and one in Spanish—by 123 Andrés, the book has been designed so it can be read just in English or just in Spanish—and, for some lucky ones, in both languages. The two versions are not meant to be exact translations of each other, but the sentiment is the same: “It doesn’t matter. There’s nothing wrong, / we can all get along. // Tú y yo podemos llevarnos bien. / No hay nada que temer.” As the book opens, three children can be seen: one walking a dog, one playing the guitar, and one playing a trumpet. Bit by bit, more and more children join in until a large group representing different cultures, ethnicities, and physical abilities is gathered together. The sweet, never saccharine text tells children that friendships are possible no matter where they’re from or what language they speak, ending with an upbeat: “Hello, friend, tell me your name. // Hola amigo, ¿Cómo te llamas?” Though the book reads well simply spoken, readers intrigued enough to want to sing it can easily find the music with a quick internet search.
A nice addition to the bilingual musical shelf. (Board book. 2-5)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-338-34368-7
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 2, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2020
Pleasant and sentimental ponderings for new parents and children.
A couple imagines the wonder-filled first moments of their newborn.
“Somewhere in the world, / the world so far, / the world so wide,” sits an orange house surrounded by verdant fields and wispy wildflowers. And in that house, “someone is the / youngest person alive.” What will they see first? Hear? Smell? Through direct address, McGhee explores these firsts. Perhaps it’ll be a “blanket and bunny, / toes and tummy” that they’ll touch first, or perhaps it’ll be “the arms of / someone warm.” One day when the child is grown, they might have a little one of their own who at one moment too will have been “the youngest person alive.” And as a parent, they’ll show their child “a life / that’s bright and true” and a “world [that] will feel / full of love.” With layers of textures—swaths of squiggles and lines—and a colorful palette, Alizadeh’s smudgily outlined illustrations bring a soft but bright energy to the author’s tender text. Scenes alternate between spreads of the family out in the expansive world with interior shots of cozy parent-child moments at home. Occasional close-ups set against minimal backgrounds highlight the love in a parent’s eyes as they connect with their child. The father is white and mother ambiguously tanner.
Pleasant and sentimental ponderings for new parents and children. (Picture book. 2-5, adult)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5420-0633-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: Dec. 17, 2019
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
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