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THIRSTY BABY

Name: THIRSTY BABY
Author: Catherine Ann Cullen
ISBN: 0-316-16357-0

by Catherine Ann Cullen & illustrated by David McPhail ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2003

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Burnished watercolors transform a so-so story. With a wobbly line of ink, they give an offbeat interpretation to Cullen’s (The Magical, Mystical, Marvelous Coat, 2001) theme that is like a gift. For it’s a fun but unexceptional member of the child-who-ate-too-much school. “ ‘I’m thirsty,’ said the baby, ‘and I need a drink.’ ” Dad delivers a bottle, but the baby says, “I’m thirsty, and I want more!” Well, Mom has run him a bath and that will do just fine. “More!” His sister takes him for a row in the pond. “He started with a sip, and the finished with a sup, / And the pond in the park, well, he drank it all up.” And so goes the river he visits with his grandmother and the sea he visits with his grandfather. “ ‘That’s enough!’ said the baby. ‘Now it’s time to stop. / That’s enough!’ said the baby. Not another drop!’ ” Until bedtime, anyway. The rhyme has a tone poem’s musicality and the kind of pleasing repetition that gets the toe tapping. But it’s McPhail’s (Sisters, 2002, etc.) art that lifts the whole production to another, comfortably seedy level, full of mud and discarded tires and old cannonballs, stranded whales and unhappy turtles and tattered Jolly Rogers. A call to row your boat upon Cullen’s poem and, with a great inclusive hug, into McPhail’s world. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: April 1, 2003

ISBN: 0-316-16357-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2003

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MAGICAL, MYSTICAL, MARVELOUS COAT
by Catherine Ann Cullen & illustrated by David Christiana

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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HOW TO CATCH A MAMASAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.

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Another creature is on the loose.

The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.