A nicely illustrated tale that skillfully offers an opportunity for parents and children to connect.
A boy who refuses to wear shoes gets in a sticky situation in this picture book.
As his father mows the lawn, a White boy named Greyson plays. When his shoes become bothersome, Greyson flings them off. Dad instructs him to put them back on to avoid stepping in dog poo. But the footwear causes Greyson to “run slower,” so he takes them off again. Dad is mad; he wraps the shoes on his son’s feet with tape to keep them on. Greyson gets upset and removes his hat and shirt, which Dad tapes back on, too. Soon, things get carried away. Dad, who has “the tape…tight in his hand, / Attached… / By a long sticky band,” starts laughing, falls, and rolls “down on the grass / And out of control.” Soon, father and son are stuck together, bound by tape. Greyson notes: “The two of us / Were jiggling and wiggling.” Later, they giggle about the mishap. Although many readers and parents will relate to the silly scenario, the story depicts a neurodivergent child and his father. Elliott, a retired pediatrician, dedicates the book to her grandson Greyson, who has autism. In a simple rhyme scheme, she recounts a parent’s frustration while emphasizing communication, patience, and understanding. Featuring bright outdoor scenes with lovely blue sky backdrops, Costello’s painted images are simple but charming. Readers will love the playful scenes, including when Greyson bounces in the grass.
A nicely illustrated tale that skillfully offers an opportunity for parents and children to connect.Pub Date: Dec. 8, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-52-558887-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: FriesenPress
Review Posted Online: July 8, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift.
A paean to teachers and their surrogates everywhere.
This gentle ode to a teacher’s skill at inspiring, encouraging, and being a role model is spoken, presumably, from a child’s viewpoint. However, the voice could equally be that of an adult, because who can’t look back upon teachers or other early mentors who gave of themselves and offered their pupils so much? Indeed, some of the self-aware, self-assured expressions herein seem perhaps more realistic as uttered from one who’s already grown. Alternatively, readers won’t fail to note that this small book, illustrated with gentle soy-ink drawings and featuring an adult-child bear duo engaged in various sedentary and lively pursuits, could just as easily be about human parent- (or grandparent-) child pairs: some of the softly colored illustrations depict scenarios that are more likely to occur within a home and/or other family-oriented setting. Makes sense: aren’t parents and other close family members children’s first teachers? This duality suggests that the book might be best shared one-on-one between a nostalgic adult and a child who’s developed some self-confidence, having learned a thing or two from a parent, grandparent, older relative, or classroom instructor.
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-943200-08-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Compendium
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
© Copyright 2025 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.
