With few picture-book reflections of pregnancy and infant loss, this warmhearted title is welcome.
A story for parents and their rainbow babies, children born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.
Looking down from a candy-colored world, the “rosy-cheeked and sparkly-eyed” children who died during pregnancy or early infancy are overjoyed to learn about their new rainbow siblings. They write letters to convey their happiness, bring parents peace, and remind rainbow babies that they have loving siblings watching over them. The book concludes with a place for readers to write their own rainbow letter and tape in an ultrasound picture; also included is a message for parents from a licensed marriage and family therapist. The illustrations are cartoonish, depicting the lost children as preschool-aged; they and the families with rainbow babies are diverse. The lost children are shown living above our world in the clouds; however, there is no mention of religion. At times cloying, the rhyming text centers children, although much of the comfort will likely be absorbed by parents rather than youngsters. The book neglects to acknowledge that kids don’t have to define themselves merely by those who came before them, nor are they responsible for making up for past losses. That said, given that there are very few picture books that directly address this topic and fewer still that explore the impacts of these losses on families of color, it’s a title that will be appreciated by many. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
With few picture-book reflections of pregnancy and infant loss, this warmhearted title is welcome. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781953859600
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Soaring Kite Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
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.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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