Gutman’s saucy bunny (Lisa in New York, not reviewed, etc.) contends with the imminent arrival of a new sibling. Lisa succinctly expresses her displeasure with her mother’s pregnancy. “My mom has been pregnant for a very long time, and I am tired of it. . . . She’s too fat to play on the seesaw with me. There’s a baby in her belly, and I don’t like it.” Traditional methods of soothing a recalcitrant sibling do not work with this precocious tot; Lisa is clearly unimpressed with tales of her older sister Victoria’s jealousy over Lisa’s arrival and eventual acceptance. Lisa’s staunch refusal of being involved with anything baby-related persists even after baby Lila comes home from the hospital. It is not until Lisa overhears a friend remark upon the similarities between Lila and Lisa, that she reevaluates the situation. Gutman strikes just the right balance between belligerence and vulnerability that children often experience when confronted with both the concept and reality of a new sibling. Lisa’s straight-from-the hip talk will resonate with readers, conveying to them that it’s acceptable to feel conflicted about the big change looming in their lives. Hallensleben’s heavily pigmented illustrations artfully capture the sights of urban life. Young Lisa serenely strolls past avant-garde sculptures and dines in outdoor cafes with the aplomb of a city dweller. His deft use of a colorful array of hues draws the reader’s attention. Unerringly honest and every bit hilarious, this is a zesty addition to Gutman and Hallensleben’s popular series. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-375-82251-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2003
Give this child’s-eye view of a day at the beach with an attentive father high marks for coziness: “When your ball blows across the sand and into the ocean and starts to drift away, your daddy could say, Didn’t I tell you not to play too close to the waves? But he doesn’t. He wades out into the cold water. And he brings your ball back to the beach and plays roll and catch with you.” Alley depicts a moppet and her relaxed-looking dad (to all appearances a single parent) in informally drawn beach and domestic settings: playing together, snuggling up on the sofa and finally hugging each other goodnight. The third-person voice is a bit distancing, but it makes the togetherness less treacly, and Dad’s mix of love and competence is less insulting, to parents and children both, than Douglas Wood’s What Dads Can’t Do (2000), illus by Doug Cushman. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: May 23, 2005
ISBN: 0-618-00361-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2005
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
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