McLean and Stone, Trinidad-born residents of Toronto, introduce Carnival in an artistically attractive picture book. But the continuity of events in this exciting, pre-Lent festival is sacrificed to the alphabetical format, and the alliterative text is sometimes awkward. McLean presents information in a brief text, introduction, and endnotes, but questions arise that are not always answered. For example, the text for J says, “Jab Molassi (a celebrant) jump up J’ouvert morning before the judges.” While “J’ouvert” is explained in the note, knowledge of the fact that “jump up” means going up on stage is assumed. And the note for X discusses the nature of the dance, but never connects it to the “Xante style” mentioned in the text. Pen and ink and watercolor-like paintings enclosed by yellow framing are alive with vibrant tropical colors. They portray bands, dancers, singers, food, and exotic costumes in a Caribbean setting, but curiously show few children as participants, even in the “Kiddies Carnival” picture. Adding fun, they contain hidden letters and objects that begin with each letter, but many of the words are beyond the experience of a picture book audience unfamiliar with Carnival. The letters are presented in both upper and lower case in squares at either end of the text. This book can be paired with Lynn Joseph’s Jump Up Time: A Trinidad Carnival Story (1998), but first set the stage by reading George Ancona’s stunning photo essay, Carnaval (not reviewed), which is more child-focused and provides a clearer sequence of events from the months of preparation through the days of celebration. (Picture book. 5-9)
Pub Date: March 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-88776-486-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2000
BOOK REVIEW
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.
How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!
John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists. (Picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: March 21, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
Embedded in this heartwarming story of doing the right thing is a deft examination of the pressures of income inequality on...
Continuing from their acclaimed Those Shoes (2007), Boelts and Jones entwine conversations on money, motives, and morality.
This second collaboration between author and illustrator is set within an urban multicultural streetscape, where brown-skinned protagonist Ruben wishes for a bike like his friend Sergio’s. He wishes, but Ruben knows too well the pressure his family feels to prioritize the essentials. While Sergio buys a pack of football cards from Sonny’s Grocery, Ruben must buy the bread his mom wants. A familiar lady drops what Ruben believes to be a $1 bill, but picking it up, to his shock, he discovers $100! Is this Ruben’s chance to get himself the bike of his dreams? In a fateful twist, Ruben loses track of the C-note and is sent into a panic. After finally finding it nestled deep in a backpack pocket, he comes to a sense of moral clarity: “I remember how it was for me when that money that was hers—then mine—was gone.” When he returns the bill to her, the lady offers Ruben her blessing, leaving him with double-dipped emotions, “happy and mixed up, full and empty.” Readers will be pleased that there’s no reward for Ruben’s choice of integrity beyond the priceless love and warmth of a family’s care and pride.
Embedded in this heartwarming story of doing the right thing is a deft examination of the pressures of income inequality on children. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6649-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
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