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MARY E. AND THE APPLE TREE

Name: MARY E. AND THE APPLE TREE
Author: Cynthia Cliff
ISBN: 9780063449732

by Cynthia Cliff ; illustrated by Cynthia Cliff ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2026

A gentle read emphasizing the gift of one’s heritage.

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An apple tree stands as a symbol of family connection.

As Mom and Lisbeth drive through the Shenandoah Valley’s green hills, young Lisbeth asks, “Why do we always make dumplings for Grammie’s birthday?” Her mother seizes this opportunity—a quiet car ride, an attentive child—to share her family’s history on this bountiful land. “Many years ago,” Mary Elizabeth, Lisbeth’s great-great-grandmother, was born, and upon her arrival, her father planted an apple seedling. As she grew, so did the tree. As a baby, she ate applesauce made from the tree’s fruit; in toddlerhood she dozed in its shade. When she fell ill after caring for the tree in a snowstorm, she was nursed to health with “a tonic of honey and apple cider vinegar.” As the apple tree produced seedlings, Mary Elizabeth grew up and became a mother to eight children. It’s a simple story, interlacing human flourishing and stewardship of creation, based on the author’s own family history. Cliff’s bright gouache images gracefully evoke New England folk art, mixing cozy interiors and pastoral panoramas. Though some may find the tale overly sweet, eliding hints of historical hardship—a racially integrated apple harvest crew, ailments tended with tonic alone—it’s also a loving exploration of family legacy. Lisbeth and her family are pale-skinned.

A gentle read emphasizing the gift of one’s heritage. (author’s note, dumpling recipe, family photographs) (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026

ISBN: 9780063449732

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Review Posted Online: May 18, 2026

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2026

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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I GOT YOU

by Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2025

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.

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When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.

As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)