Genuine affection and exasperation vie for attention in this thoughtful exploration of big ideas on a small scale.
A favorite sister duo returns for a third outing.
With a bond that could rival that of Beezus and Ramona, second grader Stella and preschooler Marigold grapple with ideas of children long gone and children yet to come. When Marigold discovers a scrawled message in green marker on the wall (“I drew on the wall HA HA”), Stella tells her it was probably written by a kid who lived here years ago. Marigold is shocked (“Someone lived here before?”), and Stella whips up the tale of a girl named Ziamara. Marigold is enthralled by these conjured stories of Ziamara, who (she is convinced) probably got to live out Marigold’s dream of going onto the roof of their house. Stella, when she’s not trying to find time travel portals in her home, realizes that long after they are gone there will be future children in this place. Bite-size adventures, involving everything from cuts and scrapes to the rescue of a beloved coloring book, flesh out these tales. Barrows is a gifted writer; one of her true talents is her acknowledgment of how great familial love is bound tightly to bone-deep annoyance. After all, even the most loving family members can get on one another’s nerves. Blackall, meanwhile, brings real and imagined escapades to life, and clearly has a ball depicting imagined wild child Ziamara. The lead characters are pale-skinned.
Genuine affection and exasperation vie for attention in this thoughtful exploration of big ideas on a small scale. (Early chapter book. 6-9)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
ISBN: 9781797219721
Page Count: 124
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: yesterday
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2026
A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D.
Breakout kid barber J.D. embraces a summer of opportunity.
Readers met J.D. Jones just as he took his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, by storm, winning himself community acclaim and a chair at the revered Hart and Sons barbershop in series opener J.D. and the Great Barber Battle(2021). What’s next for the haircut prodigy? School’s just getting out, and there’s so much life happening outside—if only one can escape home learning with the grandparents. J.D.’s sister, Vanessa, brings along multitalented mutual friend Jessyka to share an ambitious challenge: “Let’s start a YouTube channel!” Can they get millions of views and wow the whole world? They are already amazing at haircuts and hairstyles—all they need is to learn how to make a great YouTube video. The story models strategies for scripting short videos reflecting the templates of viral YouTube hair tutorials, inviting readers to not only see the journey of the characters, but maybe also practice these skills at home. This book is bound to educate all about some of the most storied and cherished traditions within the Black community. Bringing in Vanessa is a great touch to extend the series across gender, and hopefully she’ll get a chance to lead her own adventures. This book blends skill-building, entrepreneurship, and strong family values to give young Black children visions of what’s possible when they follow their passions and embrace their community.
A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-11155-0
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Kokila
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape.
The fourth installment in Delacre’s early-reader series centers on the rich musical traditions of Puerto Rico, once again featuring sibling tree frogs Rafi and Rosi Coquí.
Readers learn along with Rafi and Rosi as they explore bomba, plena, and salsa in three chapters. A glossary at the beginning sets readers up well to understand the Spanish vocabulary, including accurate phoneticization for non-Spanish speakers. The stories focus on Rafi and Rosi’s relationship within a musical context. For example, in one chapter Rafi finds out that he attracts a larger audience playing his homemade güiro with Rosi’s help even though he initially excluded her: “Big brothers only.” Even when he makes mistakes, as the older brother, Rafi consoles Rosi when she is embarrassed or angry at him. In each instance, their shared joy for music and dance ultimately shines through any upsets—a valuable reflection of unity. Informational backmatter and author’s sources are extensive. Undoubtedly these will help teachers, librarians, and parents to develop Puerto Rican cultural programs, curriculum, or home activities to extend young readers’ learning. The inclusion of instructions to make one’s own homemade güiro is a thoughtful addition. The Spanish translation, also by Delacre and published simultaneously, will require a more advanced reader than the English one to recognize and comprehend contractions (“pa’bajo-pa-pa’rriba”) and relatively sophisticated vocabulary.
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape. (Early reader. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-89239-429-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
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