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9 MONTHS

Name: 9 MONTHS
Author: Courtney Adamo
ISBN: 978-1-84780-975-9

A MONTH BY MONTH GUIDE TO PREGNANCY FOR THE FAMILY TO SHARE

by Courtney Adamo & Esther van de Paal ; illustrated by Lizzy Stewart ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 4, 2017

Both appealing and useful for expectant mothers who already have children.

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A month-by-month explanation of fetal development from the fertilization of the egg to just after delivery of a newborn baby.

Designed for adults to share with children, this is a clear depiction of the fetal journey. Each spread covers a month. On verso is a general statement about size and appearance, a comparison to a similarly sized fruit or vegetable, a “did you know” fact about animal baby development, and answers to two other relevant questions. The recto page describes how Mama feels. Mixed-media illustrations include full-page scenes and small vignettes, with figures helpfully edged with a fine black line. The subject mom and child are white, but groups include the variety of races typical of a diversely populated urban area. The text is accurate and informative; the chosen facts have solid child appeal. At 5 months, for example, the baby is the size of an eggplant and “covered in a layer of hair, called lanugo, and also sticky white stuff, known as vernix.” Elephant babies are also covered with hair before they are born. The text and some images in this British import have been edited for the U.S. audience. Further information is provided in two pages of backmatter. The co-authors, parents themselves, run a popular website that includes a parenting blog.

Both appealing and useful for expectant mothers who already have children. (Nonfiction. 4-8)

Pub Date: May 4, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-84780-975-9

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Frances Lincoln

Review Posted Online: March 5, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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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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MAMA BUILT A LITTLE NEST

by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Steve Jenkins ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 18, 2014

A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers.

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Echoing the meter of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Ward uses catchy original rhymes to describe the variety of nests birds create.

Each sweet stanza is complemented by a factual, engaging description of the nesting habits of each bird. Some of the notes are intriguing, such as the fact that the hummingbird uses flexible spider web to construct its cup-shaped nest so the nest will stretch as the chicks grow. An especially endearing nesting behavior is that of the emperor penguin, who, with unbelievable patience, incubates the egg between his tummy and his feet for up to 60 days. The author clearly feels a mission to impart her extensive knowledge of birds and bird behavior to the very young, and she’s found an appealing and attractive way to accomplish this. The simple rhymes on the left page of each spread, written from the young bird’s perspective, will appeal to younger children, and the notes on the right-hand page of each spread provide more complex factual information that will help parents answer further questions and satisfy the curiosity of older children. Jenkins’ accomplished collage illustrations of common bird species—woodpecker, hummingbird, cowbird, emperor penguin, eagle, owl, wren—as well as exotics, such as flamingoes and hornbills, are characteristically naturalistic and accurate in detail.

A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers. (author’s note, further resources) (Informational picture book. 4-7)