Aside from the lack of continuity of the photographs, as an introduction to lacrosse, this book is a score.
An introduction to the sport of lacrosse for beginners.
Sports Illustrated for Kids presents the basic principles and vocabulary of lacrosse, including the equipment, where it is played, and the positions of each player, as well as describing the differences between women’s and men’s lacrosse. The account follows the format of a game, with scoreboard-type boxes that keep track of the time and quarter. Vocabulary words, such as “cradle,” “face-off,” “slashing,” and “offsides,” are written in big block letters to emphasize importance. Collaged-in photographs of real players engaged in particular actions of the game appear on bright, colored backgrounds. These photographs are of players on different teams, so with each turn of the page there is a loss of continuity. Two little cartoon characters—a boy and girl—appear on each page and add silly commentary and comedic actions, like bringing a vacuum into the game to steal the ball. Other thought and speech bubbles are slapped on above the real-life photographs, adding often mindless but humorous commentary. The writing gives detailed explanations of what to expect in the game, but some of the illustrations can be confusing. Most of the players in the photographs appear to be white; the cartoon girl has brown skin, and the cartoon boy is pale.
Aside from the lack of continuity of the photographs, as an introduction to lacrosse, this book is a score. (Informational picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 17, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68330-078-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Liberty Street/Time Inc. Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An inspiring, invigorating story about the value of practice, perseverance—and joy!
Champion figure skater Chen tells the story of a young athlete whose first competition doesn’t go quite as planned.
In the author’s note, Chen shares that “Wei’s story is my story.” Indeed, Wei is Chen’s Chinese name, and the action of the book tracks with his much-hyped but disappointing turn in the 2018 Olympics, followed by a gold medal win in 2022. After years of preparation, Wei, an 8-year-old boy of Chinese heritage, is ready for his first competition. Then he falls during practice. That night, Wei is too consumed with fear to enjoy spicy rice noodles with his family. When Wei’s mother prompts him to be specific about the source of his fear, Wei finds that he is not scared of falling again, nor of being embarrassed. Instead, he admits, “I’m scared of not winning.” “Forget about winning,” his mother says and urges him to concentrate on what makes him happy. When he takes to the ice the next day, his focus shifts from victory to technique, artistry, and fun! Nam’s illustrations capture Wei’s charming family life but are most impressive when revealing his strength and beauty on the ice; full-bleed spreads feel like slow-motion breakdowns of each jump. Any reader who has had fun chased aside by the pressure of expectations will find solace in this tale. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An inspiring, invigorating story about the value of practice, perseverance—and joy! (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 21, 2023
ISBN: 9780063282827
Page Count: 40
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
Bird-finding made easy and attractive.
A veteran birder invites young readers to look for the birds around them.
“There are lots of ways to find a bird. / That’s the wonderful thing about birds.” Ward, author of many nature titles including Mama Dug a Little Den, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (2018), offers good suggestions for bird-finding at any age. Move slowly and quietly. Try to blend in. Look up, down, and also straight ahead. And, finally, “the best way to find a bird”: close your eyes and listen. Ward makes clear why birds are where they are. Some are feeding or nesting on the ground; some are snacking or splashing in the water; some are high in the sky; others perch on wires or feed in your own backyard. Sudyka’s opaque watercolors are as engaging as the text. A smiling black child and a shorter child with pale skin and straight, black pigtails discover birds in a variety of environments. Hand-lettered labels identify the many birds shown. Two spreads make a puzzle: Three birds blend into a tree’s bark so well they can barely be seen; a page turn shows them close-up and labeled. The birds might not realistically all be found in the same parts of this country or at the same time, but they are reasonably common (except on the spread showing five extinct birds) and clearly identifiable in these illustrations. An afterword for older readers or caregivers provides good suggestions and further resources.
Bird-finding made easy and attractive. (Informational picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4814-6705-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: April 7, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2020
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