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ALL BY HIMSELF?

Name: ALL BY HIMSELF?
Author: Elana K. Arnold
ISBN: 978-1-5344-8989-9

by Elana K. Arnold ; illustrated by Giselle Potter ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 6, 2022

A missed attempt that leaves readers feeling flat.

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When we help one another, we help the world go round.

The cover image offers a clue to the story within—hands of various skin tones holding blocks painted in primary colors. This foreshadowing continues throughout the text and the artwork, unfolding a temporal and geographical chain that connects a light-skinned boy who builds a tower of blocks (“all by himself!”) to the actions of the people who came before him: the light-skinned farmer who planted a seedling that became a tree, the brown-skinned arborist who tended the tree, the light-skinned woodcutter who felled the tree, the light-skinned woodworker who carved blocks from the wood, the brown-skinned artist who painted the blocks made from the wood of that tree, and so forth. People of all backgrounds do work to contribute to a thriving society—rather a heady theme for such a young picture book, though if caregivers or educators focus more on the lesson of how blocks are made, children may find it more appealing. The tale is conveyed in rhythmic language—reminiscent of “The House That Jack Built”—and watercolor-and-ink illustrations in an earth-toned palette in Potter’s signature style. Deep greens, browns, and oranges punctuated by bright blues and reds connect one spread to another, though in rather repetitive perspectives that likely won’t resonate with children, and depictions of people feel stilted. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A missed attempt that leaves readers feeling flat. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-5344-8989-9

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

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HOLLOWAY
by Elana K. Arnold

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HARRIET TELLS THE TRUTH
by Elana K. Arnold ; illustrated by Dung Ho

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THE FISH OF SMALL WISHES
by Elana K. Arnold ; illustrated by Magdalena Mora

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THE MOST MAGNIFICENT THING

by Ashley Spires ; illustrated by Ashley Spires ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2014

Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...

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Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.

First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.

Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: April 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Kids Can

Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
BYE BYE, BUTTERFLY
developed by Ashley Spires ; adapted by Naseem Hrab ; illustrated by Mike Shiell

- BOOK REVIEW
NO MOUSIE LEFT BEHIND
developed by Ashley Spires ; adapted by Naseem Hrab ; illustrated by Mike Shiell

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MOST MAGNIFICENT MAKER'S A TO Z
by Ashley Spires ; illustrated by Ashley Spires

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ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Laura Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2016

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of...

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Rabe follows a young girl through her first 12 days of kindergarten in this book based on the familiar Christmas carol.

The typical firsts of school are here: riding the bus, making friends, sliding on the playground slide, counting, sorting shapes, laughing at lunch, painting, singing, reading, running, jumping rope, and going on a field trip. While the days are given ordinal numbers, the song skips the cardinal numbers in the verses, and the rhythm is sometimes off: “On the second day of kindergarten / I thought it was so cool / making lots of friends / and riding the bus to my school!” The narrator is a white brunette who wears either a tunic or a dress each day, making her pretty easy to differentiate from her classmates, a nice mix in terms of race; two students even sport glasses. The children in the ink, paint, and collage digital spreads show a variety of emotions, but most are happy to be at school, and the surroundings will be familiar to those who have made an orientation visit to their own schools.

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003), it basically gets the job done. (Picture book. 4-7)