An absolutely hilarious family tale, entertainingly illustrated and empathetic.
In this picture book, a grandmother looks after her grumpy little granddaughter.
Caroline, a pale-skinned toddler who wears a pink tutu and striped top, isn’t happy that her parents are leaving her for a short time with her grandmother. For the little girl, what this means is dealing with “Not-Mamma.” Patient and unflappable, Caroline’s grandmother fixes a meal, cleans the girl’s high chair, and takes her to the park. They have such a good time that on returning home, Caroline gets over her bad mood and crawls on her grandmother’s lap for a story before her nap. Leary, in this third installment of her Happy Happy After Story series, offers a charming, quietly tender, and very funny take on the melodramatic emotions of small children. For example, when Caroline throws a tantrum because Not-Mamma might eat her with her “terrifying teeth,” the narration drolly reads: “ ‘Oh dear, Caroline,’ said Not-Mamma, not eating her.” The repetitions, including Caroline’s screaming fits, also work well. The images by Kochetova are as delightfully amusing as the text and contribute to the story through elements like the family cat’s expressive reactions.
An absolutely hilarious family tale, entertainingly illustrated and empathetic.Pub Date: July 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-7340258-6-6
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Coquina Press
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
Not really high or low, this effort takes the middle road. (Picture book. 2-5)
The theme of unconditional love, in both good and bad times, is offered in rhyme alongside pictures of loving pairs of animals.
In the canon of “I love you so much” titles, the shelves are full of devotion to parenting. Prasadam-Halls offers another title that illustrates a wide range of emotions. Love, naughtiness, fear, excitement, sadness, and even questioning all take a turn through this rotation of parent watchfulness. The rhyming verse, with its repetitive cadence, is a bit lumpy, but it is bolstered by comforting full-spread artwork by Brown. Rendered in acrylic paint and colored pencil, each youngster-and-parent depiction exudes connection and protection. Rabbits gingerly cross a river on steppingstones, a joey bounces with abandon, and a baby owl sleeps while the parent stands guard. “When you are sad and troubled with fears, / I hold you close and dry all your tears.” Whether the pairs are koalas or crocodiles, all the animals are androgynous, making the images work for single moms and dads. Though the book cycles through many moods, the feeling of constant presence is clear. The last lines, echoing the premise of the whole book, will be reassuring to most. “For when you are high and when you are low, / I’ll be holding you tight… // …and I'll never let go.” Sweet though it is, though, there’s nothing fresh about it.
Not really high or low, this effort takes the middle road. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: April 26, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-61963-922-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2016
An imaginative snapshot of daily life that elevates domestic messes into a soothing lullaby.
Two siblings make messes throughout the day, with sweet and fun results.
Berries and chocolate mousse are a delicious treat for the children, even as they leave syrup spills in their wake, while crumbs from an outdoor tea party become a feast for ants and squirrels. Repurposed boxes, tins, and a hose are transformed into musical instruments, and cushions and blankets turn into a classic pillow fort. Sometimes messes result in treasured items accidentally getting broken and the two siblings squabbling, but things—and bonds—can soon be mended or made into something new. Johnson’s rhyming text pairs with homey artwork depicting a rustic setting. As each scenario unfolds, the author/illustrator lists various objects—“magic markers. / Missing caps. / Glue and pom-poms”—before revealing the project the protagonists have been working on. The repetitive ebbing and flowing pattern of the words and the narrative establishes a calming tone that sets up the characters and readers alike for a well-earned bedtime, though the mess doesn’t end here: Time for a pillow fight! The eye-catching details in the artwork and the question of what each mess will evolve into keep the book as engaging as it is cozy. Characters present white.
An imaginative snapshot of daily life that elevates domestic messes into a soothing lullaby. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 20, 2024
ISBN: 9781250900241
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
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