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
Although the love comes shining through, the text often confuses in straining for patterned simplicity.
A collection of parental wishes for a child.
It starts out simply enough: two children run pell-mell across an open field, one holding a high-flying kite with the line “I wish you more ups than downs.” But on subsequent pages, some of the analogous concepts are confusing or ambiguous. The line “I wish you more tippy-toes than deep” accompanies a picture of a boy happily swimming in a pool. His feet are visible, but it's not clear whether he's floating in the deep end or standing in the shallow. Then there's a picture of a boy on a beach, his pockets bulging with driftwood and colorful shells, looking frustrated that his pockets won't hold the rest of his beachcombing treasures, which lie tantalizingly before him on the sand. The line reads: “I wish you more treasures than pockets.” Most children will feel the better wish would be that he had just the right amount of pockets for his treasures. Some of the wordplay, such as “more can than knot” and “more pause than fast-forward,” will tickle older readers with their accompanying, comical illustrations. The beautifully simple pictures are a sweet, kid- and parent-appealing blend of comic-strip style and fine art; the cast of children depicted is commendably multiethnic.
Although the love comes shining through, the text often confuses in straining for patterned simplicity. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: April 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4521-2699-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2015
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
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