Father/son construction projects have never been more tender.
Charlie and his dad build sand castles, bridges, towers, and more together.
The duo, both of whom are white, live in the suburbs and build a variety of structures, from Lego garages for toy cars to play “igloos” in winter to a doghouse for pet Rocky, both indoors and out. Charlie’s friends, who also appear to be white, get in on the action and jump into a pile of autumn leaves his dad has collected. Each double-page spread offers one-half of a serviceable, rhymed couplet describing Charlie’s constructions. The standout here is Bianchini’s cheerfully retro, thick-lined art, done in muted greens, blues, and reds. Charlie clearly loves all his projects, and his dad obviously dotes on the boy. The final spread shows the pair enjoying their “favorite building,” a blanket/pillow fort where they can share a book (appropriately titled Big Buildings) together.
Father/son construction projects have never been more tender. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4197-2540-1
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
Bound to put a smile on readers’ faces.
As the title says, this is a book of shapes—but with a little touch of whimsy.
A goofy-looking emu on the cover, with wispy feathers in beautiful shades of purple and turquoise, forewarns readers there is more to the book than simple shapes. And it delivers. The first spread presents a wood-grained green circle against a white background and a simple, straightforward statement: “This is a circle.” Next comes a red square and “This is a square.” Next, a blue triangle and “This is a triangle.” Next comes an emu. An emu? The deadpan narration announces, “This is an emu pushing a pancake wagon down the hill.” Readers are now in the know; what other quirky appearances might there be? The book does not disappoint. Interspersed with other basic shapes, a porpoise reading knock-knock jokes and a skateboarding rhinoceros also show up in the same matter-of-fact way. Being in on the joke, children will have no difficulty accepting the juxtaposition of simple shapes and silly animal antics as perfectly sensible. But when a plain pineapple makes an appearance, readers will agree with the author: “What is that doing here?” The final spread shows animals and shapes but no pineapple—after all, it doesn’t belong here—having fun at the beach.
Bound to put a smile on readers’ faces. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0701-9
Page Count: 30
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2020
Vibrant photographs—especially action shots—will capture children’s attention, build language skills and, one hopes, start...
“We hope this book…will lead children and their parents to engage in conversation about their families.”
So begins this good-sized book, which is packed with photographs of families of many different sizes, shapes, ages and colors (although most wear casual clothing familiar to most American children). Bold, colorful type announces: “There are all kinds of families.” Engaging photographs throughout complement a simple text that informs readers about differences—such as big vs. small; genders and generations of parents; adoption vs. birth children. Positive similarities follow, as families get together for celebrations and family members help one another out and enjoy activities together. Only childless families are excluded, but that can be forgiven by the book’s noble, stated goal. Kelly adds an endnote to further encourage parents: “Recently, research psychologists have found that children who developed a strong family narrative from speaking with their parents about family history and hearing family stories, both good and bad, exhibited greater self-esteem….” As the photographs’ emotional spectrum covers the tiny range from cheerful to exuberant, it’s an open question whether this will encourage or inhibit truthful family-history revelations. However, the emphatic ending will certainly start a dialogue: “There are many different kinds of families. What about yours?”
Vibrant photographs—especially action shots—will capture children’s attention, build language skills and, one hopes, start conversations. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: May 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3053-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Feb. 2, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2015
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