A tenderhearted picture book that teaches courage, kindness, and the beauty of individuality.
In Conover’s picture book, a young boy overcomes being bullied for his hobby.
When his teacher announces an upcoming talent show, Little Craig, who has pale skin and brown hair, is ecstatic to share his favorite hobby: sewing. But when classmate Trent mocks his choice, Little Craig wonders whether being himself is worth the hardship. During the talent show, his classmate Quinn’s jump rope tears, giving Little Craig the opportunity to use his talent to stitch it back together. He then proudly displays his many creations—hats, scarves, pillows, quilts—each marked with his signature “bee” patch: “Bee brave. Bee kind. Bee you.” “In this class,” their teacher explains, “no one gets laughed at for what they love.” Conover celebrates creativity and self-expression while offering a thoughtful look at bullying and the power of positive relationships. Diaz’s richly colored, expressive illustrations deepen the story’s emotional arc through dynamic composition and lighting. One effective visual metaphor tracks Little Craig’s inner emotional state through sewing: Neat stitches become tangled and frayed as his confidence unravels, then mend when he receives comfort and encouragement. The aftermatter includes a note from a bullying-prevention expert, a conversation guide, and additional resources for young readers and families.
A tenderhearted picture book that teaches courage, kindness, and the beauty of individuality.Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2026
ISBN: 978-1967836888
Page Count: 40
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Sept. 17, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: today
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Empowerment to children to be the change they wish to see in the world.
Be a “somebody” who makes a difference!
A Black child witnesses various transgressions over the course of a day. Noticing trash on the walk to the bus stop, the young narrator thinks, “Somebody should do something about that.” Two students push their way ahead of everyone else in order to get good seats on the school bus, prompting the child to muse, “Somebody should speak up about that.” Throughout the day, the child notices examples of bullying and unfairness. These seemingly minor infractions start mounting. Finally, when the protagonist’s teacher tells the students that it’s snack time, the narrator notices that some students don’t have anything to eat. Instead of wishing for a “somebody,” the perceptive pupil realizes, “I am Somebody” and shares food with the others. The epiphany doesn’t stop there. When the narrator arrives home and notices there are toys everywhere but Mom is on a work call, the child responds to Mom’s request for help by cleaning up the mess. Accompanied by simple yet expressive illustrations, this is a loving and much-needed story that encourages kids to make a difference; pair it with Joshunda Sanders’ I Can Write the World (2019), illustrated by Charly Palmer. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Empowerment to children to be the change they wish to see in the world. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 27, 2023
ISBN: 9780762480517
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2023
Fun times, fond friends, and a festive farmyard setting—little ones will be charmed.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Toad and Little Blue Truck get ready for a hayride.
After the titular vehicle is loaded with hay, Toad is nowhere to be found. “Beep! Beep! Beep! Where are you, Toad?” asks Little Blue Truck. All the barnyard animals look for him. Sheep searches the meadow. Goose and Duck check the pond. Others pitch in, too, but Toad seems to have disappeared…until Hen hears snoring coming from the pile of hay in the back of Little Blue Truck. Although the text’s scansion is imperfect in places (adults may want to pre-read to ensure a smooth read-aloud), the bouncy meter and rhyming text nevertheless capture the energy of the search and the farmyard community’s concern for Toad’s safety, making this a solid storytime choice. Eye-catching illustrations with rich, fully saturated colors balance the right level of detail while still highlighting the animal that is the focus of each verse. By introducing one farm animal at a time, Schertle also helps the youngest readers begin to identify barnyard animals by name and understand their unique farm homes. Traditional animal sounds are part of the text, and listeners will add them to their vocabulary. It all ends with the promised hayride, bringing the tale to a joyous ending.
Fun times, fond friends, and a festive farmyard setting—little ones will be charmed. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2026
ISBN: 9780063436121
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2026
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