A young elephant child says goodbye to all that is familiar and “in the regular place” and sets off to Gramma’s. The text’s refrain, “Oh. We love each other so,” is punctuated by the rollicking activities that she and her “Gramma silly / silly millie silly millie” do together—a tea party, painting, a bath, dancing, watching a storm from the porch swing and falling “asleep / …inside a hug.” Joosse may have captured the breathless excitement and stream-of-consciousness thinking that carry the young narrator a little too well, as the tale does not flow so much as bounce along, willy-nilly. Jutte’s illustrations are jam-packed full of details. Readers get a clear sense of the child’s excitement and activity level, but they will never lose sight of the relationship being celebrated. The colors in the ink, watercolor and acrylic illustrations lend the artwork a retro feel, and the elephants may remind many readers of Babar. A sweet theme, but the gentle rhymes and less-frenetic pace of Mary Ann Hoberman’s I’m Going to Grandma’s, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke (2007), may be more suitable for younger listeners. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-399-25261-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2010
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 tot with a penchant for panache is at the center of this playful tale that celebrates marching to the beat of your own drummer. Nancy, a little girl enraptured by all things ornate, is dismayed by her family’s distinctly conventional tendencies. In her quest to convince her loved ones that the sundry trappings of the fabulous life are actually sheer necessities, Nancy embarks upon a campaign of family beautification by offering fancy living instructions. O’Connor deftly conveys Nancy’s precocious yet disarming delivery: Nancy is a hoot and her fashion-first message will resonate with many budding divas among the preschool set. Glasser’s vivacious, vividly colored illustrations capture the exuberance with which tiny fashonistas embrace the life of the glitterati. Aspiring converts to Nancy’s tony lifestyle will find Glasser’s humorous depictions of Nancy in all her glory inspirational, whether she’s dressed for the evening or making over her family. The poignant message about love needing no embellishment adds a heartwarming touch to this fun-filled tale. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-06-054209-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2005
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
