A warmly presented showcase of Vietnamese fruit vocabulary.
A little boy chats with his grandfather about the fruits he grows in his garden in Chau’s picture book.
Cal is excited to take readers into his grandfather’s garden. His Ông ngoại (maternal grandfather) learned to grow fruit when he worked on a farm in Vietnam; now, he grows his own fruit. The story unfolds as Cal and his Ông ngoại chat about each fruit Cal picks up, including a soursop, durian, passion fruit, banana, longan, and dragon fruit. Each fruit is identified in English, followed by the Vietnamese word. When Cal and his grandfather finish picking, they have far too much to eat. Though Cal doesn’t like sharing, his grandfather reminds him that “sharing is one way to show people we care.” Because the book has little in the way of description or insight into the characters’ thoughts, the story remains on the surface level: Cal and his grandfather get fruit, then decide to share it. But it’s easy enough to read between the lines—Cal and his grandfather connect through food, and discussing food is one way Ông ngoại passes culture and tradition down to his grandson. The soft-edged digital illustrations by QBN Studios give Cal a doll-like shape, while his grandfather is more realistically rendered. Most of the fruits are shown both on the vine and cut open to help readers identify potentially unfamiliar produce.
A warmly presented showcase of Vietnamese fruit vocabulary.Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9798987652411
Page Count: 26
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: March 21, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
BOOK REVIEW
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.
When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.
As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9780593111451
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
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