Offers readers young and old the invaluable gift of perspective.
A rich recognition of the things that make ordinary days special.
Familiar daily activities—cooking, playing, going to school—occupy adults and children, diverse in skin tone and hair color. Hours spent sick in bed drag, while a day at the amusement park “go[es] by in a wink.” On some days, strenuous effort (like that required to master riding a bike) seems futile, until “it all finally clicks.” Surprises, disappointments, change, rain, sadness at the loss of a pet: Sosa explores the events—and non-events—that make up life. Tears come and go, and sometimes we even exult, “This is the best day ever!” Finally, a grown-up and child snuggled up for a bedtime book consider a most kind and attentive question: “How was your day?” Sosa’s conversational text is rhythmically right, and her bright illustrations are warm and realistic, with just enough detail and reassuring continuity; the adult depicted in the first illustration returns as the reader in the last. Books, bowls of cereal, a snowman, an ever-present cat: Readers will smile in recognition at these familiar trappings. And Sosa sensitively acknowledges that “the same day can feel very different to different people”—a raucous birthday party might be overwhelming to quieter children. Bad days will pass, and so will good days. This book helpfully reminds readers to be both hopeful and grateful—to anticipate better things, but never to take those good things for granted.
Offers readers young and old the invaluable gift of perspective. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 12, 2026
ISBN: 9781665961981
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2026
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.
Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.
Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
ISBN: 9781464268076
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2026
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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