bookshelf

SOUR CHERRIES

Name: SOUR CHERRIES
Author: Dezh Azaad
ISBN: 9781419763625

AN AFGHAN FAMILY STORY

by Dezh Azaad ; illustrated by Nan Cao ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2024

A lovely tribute to family and the continuity of rituals that bind generations together.

bookshelf

Picking cherries helps a child preserve familial bonds.

An Afghan family spends a summer day gathering sour cherries. The family, including the young narrator, snacks on the ruby-red fruit while preparing to cook some of their favorite dishes. First, they wash the cherries in a nearby stream and then divide them into three parts for jam, dinner, and tea. Papa stokes an open wood fire as the children help “spice the rice” and “salt the stew.” Drinking tea as the food cooks, the protagonist’s mother reminisces about learning these recipes from her own mother, whom the children call Bibi. The narrator hopes to visit her in her home, but “Wars hold places locked away.” Though the child is far away from loved ones and familial roots, re-creating cherished recipes helps to foster a sense of connection. While the rhyming text is at times a bit clunky, overall this is a heartwarming celebration of family and the joys of shared traditions. Using bold reds, blues, and yellows, the bright artwork depicts a warm, cheery day. Close-ups of pots of cherries and colorful rice are rich in detail, while images of interconnected underground tree roots are a vivid illustration of the idea that generations can remain connected across time and borders. Azaad concludes with an author’s note about his own experiences as a refugee and includes a recipe for sour cherry tea.

A lovely tribute to family and the continuity of rituals that bind generations together. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: May 21, 2024

ISBN: 9781419763625

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Abrams

Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
THE CARPET
by Dezh Azaad ; illustrated by Nan Cao

bookshelf

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.

bookshelf

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

bookshelf

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.

bookshelf

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)