A gentle, playful celebration of sibling relationships.
Biological and chosen siblings are celebrated in this Spanish import translated by Brokenbrow.
Siblings from various types of families are presented in this affecting picture book. Day-in-the-life moments like fighting over toys and trying to get homework done are juxtaposed with hints of fantasy. A pair of siblings sits in a whimsical treehouse against a pink-and-purple sunset, followed by a scene of two sisters engaged in spirited dress-up play. The soft shading of Wimmer’s artwork creates a calming effect, though some spreads depict many characters, are full of motion, and use bright colors. The simple prose meditates on the special bond siblings share and also acknowledges sobering truths: “At the end of the day, what matters is how you feel, because we’re all brothers and sisters, even though sometimes we don’t agree,” and “although the years may go by and take us along different paths, I'll always be just an embrace away.” There is no plot, but children will be drawn to the friendly color palette and ever changing action. Lack of names and information about how members of the ensemble cast are biologically or legally related can be seen as wins for non-normative families and families living in community. Characters have varied skin tones; one child uses a wheelchair; and a father figure is shown cooking. Body type, however, lacks diversity, and digital technology is absent, making the book feel both timeless and vintage despite its modern messaging. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A gentle, playful celebration of sibling relationships. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-84-18302-46-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
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
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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