Necessary nourishment, infectiously joyous.
Newbery honoree Barnes (Crown, illustrated by Gordon C. James, 2017) shows a black boy what to expect on his first day as “king” of kindergarten.
A young boy greets the reader with a sweet smile. “The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets. / It sits and shines behind your head—like a crown.” The text continues in second person while the boy gets ready for his first day—brushing “Ye Royal Chiclets,” dressing himself, eating breakfast with his mother and father before riding “a big yellow carriage” to “a grand fortress.” The kind teacher and the other children at his table are as eager to meet him as he is to meet them. Important topics are covered in class (“shapes, the alphabet, and the never-ending mystery of numbers”), but playing at recess and sharing with new friends at lunch are highlights too, followed by rest time and music. The playful illustrations use texture and shadow to great effect, with vibrant colors and dynamic shapes and lines sustaining readers’ interest on every page. Text and visuals work together beautifully to generate excitement and confidence in children getting ready to enter kindergarten. The little king’s smiling brown face is refreshing and heartwarming. The other children and parents are a mix of races; the teacher and staff are mostly brown.
Necessary nourishment, infectiously joyous. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 2, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5247-4074-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: May 7, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2019
The happy and positive message that not all new beginnings are to be feared is a welcome one.
When Miguel leaves the island of Puerto Rico for the mainland U.S., he worries about all the things he’ll miss—most of all, his pet frog, Coquí.
In San Juan, Miguel takes Coquí everywhere: to play baseball with his friends, to visit the pond in the park, to buy his favorite snack at the bakery, or to visit his abuelos. But when his parents tell him they are moving to the mainland, he worries. Won’t he miss Coquí, flying kites, his grandparents, and taking part in Christmas festivities? In New York, Miguel and his mother explore a neighborhood “full of interesting sights, sounds, and people.” And though Spanish words are around them, so too are other unfamiliar languages. Soon they discover a pond with frogs, a food cart selling empanadillas, a baseball field, and a bakery that sells his favorite snack. As Miguel drifts off to sleep he realizes Puerto Rico will always be with him, in his heart—and though some things in New York are different, some are the same. Perez’s illustrations depict a multiethnic, multicultural New York that is just as colorful, vibrant, and upbeat as the city back home. Miguel and his family have light brown skin and dark hair. A Spanish version, De aquí como el coquí, publishes simultaneously, ably translated by Farah Perez.
The happy and positive message that not all new beginnings are to be feared is a welcome one. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 16, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-10903-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A dinosaur friendship story that will turn first-day jitters into first-day joy.
Even a dinosaur can be nervous about the first day of school.
Jewel, a little teal stegosaurus who walks on two legs, would rather stay in bed than go to school, but her two dads are here to buoy her each step of the way. Jewel’s dread is endearingly obvious as she trudges her way to the kitchen for breakfast and reluctantly polishes her scales. Jewel and the other students are met at the school gate by their teacher, who introduces the young dinos to the classroom. Their teacher shows them their personalized hooks for their school bags, the lava pits where they’ll play, and the ever important bathroom. Once lessons begin, Jewel sits next to super-tall Roary, who loves school. Roary saves Jewel a seat during lunch and plays with her at recess. During art class, Jewel’s enthusiasm grows, and at the end of the day, she proclaims that school was great—but she’s a bit confused that she has to go back again. Readers will easily relate to Jewel’s initial nervousness and feel encouraged by her progress. Colorful cartoon illustrations feature typical classroom scenes of delightful and busy young dinosaurs with oversized heads and eyes. One student uses a wheelchair. Pre-read this book before sharing, as the meter is not always consistent. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A dinosaur friendship story that will turn first-day jitters into first-day joy. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: June 20, 2023
ISBN: 9780241607275
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Ladybird
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
