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THE EXPLORERS

Name: THE EXPLORERS
Author: Dee Hahn
ISBN: 9798217006649

by Dee Hahn ; illustrated by Ashlyn Anstee ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2026

A sweet friendship tale for adventurers of all ages.

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A child and her grandmother adjust to big changes.

Their backpack and purse stuffed with “adventure sandwiches” and “special pudding,” respectively, fellow explorers Etta and Grandma Maisie climb trees and build forts and earthworm castles together. Soon, however, they embark on separate adventures—Grandma Maisie moves into a retirement home, and Etta enters kindergarten. But Maisie’s neighbors and Etta’s classmates don’t seem to understand them. Etta’s worm castle revolts Aarav, Jiro dislikes Maisie’s pet frog, and nobody wants to share Etta’s “spinach and jam explorer sandwich” or Maisie’s “peanut butter and salami explorer pudding.” So when Indi invites Etta to play blocks, Etta declines, fearing Indi will dislike the gnome mazes she and Maisie always built. And when Olga invites Maisie to play Scrabble, Maisie feigns tiredness—“What if the rules were too tricky to remember without Etta there to remind her?” But when Indi and Olga rescue Etta and Maisie from a jam during the Grandparents’ Picnic, the explorers encourage each other to venture toward friendship. Though Maisie plants seeds with Jiro and Etta colors murals with Aarav, the duo keep some things “just for themselves”—vanilla and broccoli pudding, for instance. Etta and Maisie’s quirky bond radiates from Anstee’s soft-edged cartoon illustrations, and Hahn’s gentle text reassures kids and adults alike that it’s never too late to make new friends. Etta is brown-skinned, while Maisie is pale-skinned; background characters are diverse.

A sweet friendship tale for adventurers of all ages. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: July 21, 2026

ISBN: 9798217006649

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dial Books

Review Posted Online: April 20, 2026

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 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)