A frank and fulfilling journey of self-acceptance.
A young biracial American girl struggles with her Chinese heritage in Stad’s debut picture book.
“My name is Jade. I live in two worlds. My mama is Chinese and my dad is American. Who am I?” Jade, who presents as Chinese, feels out of place in a society depicted as middle class and overwhelmingly white. She doesn’t want to be different and is embarrassed by her mother’s accent and non-Western behavior (especially her focus on homework and her lack of tactile affection). One night Jade disavows her Chinese heritage, but then she learns of her mama’s family history and reconsiders. Stad narrates in the first person and effectively captures Jade’s insecurities and uneasy search for self-identity. Menson (My Heart Will Stay [2020], etc.) complements the story with a deft, uncluttered drawing style. Some clever imagistic juxtapositions suggest emptiness and uncertainty (when Jade worries about fitting in or not being American enough, for instance) amid swirling shades of red, yellow, and aqua. All of this evokes a rich family history and exudes strength and unity whenever her mom or Chinese culture enter the picture. One of the book’s notable features is that Jade isn’t singled out by those around her. Her sense of not belonging comes from within and is tied to her not knowing her mother’s personal history. Once Jade understands that her mama’s love is no less real or strong for being expressed differently, she can finally embrace her own cultural origins.
A frank and fulfilling journey of self-acceptance.Pub Date: Nov. 8, 2023
ISBN: 9798988378518
Page Count: 31
Publisher: Ginger Lotus Press
Review Posted Online: Jan. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Visually sweet, though hampered by disjointed storytelling.
In this picture book from Fox News journalist Hall, a young hedgehog must find a way to protect his community when peril looms.
Hedgehog and his father both have busy days ahead. Dad’s on his way to the newspaper to report “what new news the news brings.” Hedgehog packs his backpack for an adventure, mindful of Dad’s rules: “Don’t talk to strangers” and “never ever cross the river alone.” Obeying the rules proves difficult when Hedgehog notices commotion on the other side of the river: A bear is hungrily eyeing Baby Owl, who’s fallen from her tree. With creative thinking, Hedgehog frightens off the bear and alerts Mama Owl, but the predator is still at large. So Hedgehog and Mama Owl create flyers to warn the forest residents. Though Motzo’s airy illustrations are pleasing—particularly the adorably animated Hedgehog, a tribute to Hall’s own children—the narrative feels bogged down with multiple themes as it attempts to explore the power of the written word, the importance of community, and the need to adhere to a parent’s rules. When Hedgehog apologizes for his apparent disobedience, Dad explains that Hedgehog never actually broke the rules; turns out it’s OK to cross the river in the company of an adult, and Mama Owl’s no stranger (she’s the town librarian, whom Hedgehog sees every week). The back-and-forth may leave readers confused; it also feels like a missed opportunity to discuss how to identify trustworthy adults.
Visually sweet, though hampered by disjointed storytelling. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
ISBN: 9780063357549
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Dec. 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2026
Another empowering outing led by a dynamic young role model.
The third title in the Ambitious Girl series finds young Maya wanting accomplished women to get their due.
On a school trip to Washington, D.C., brown-skinned, bubble-braided Maya is full of questions, among them “How many representatives are there?” and, while checking out the statues and monuments, “Where are all the women?” Maya’s teacher tells her that they’ve seen all the “popular” statues and monuments. Maya is as dogged (“But what about Eleanor Roosevelt? Or Mary McLeod Bethune?”) as her teacher is dismissive: “Those aren’t on my list.” (Maya’s teacher follows the same list every trip.) Back at home, Maya is newly awakened to the lack of female representation in her orbit—she notices that streets and “even her own school” are named for men. Is there anything she can do about this? Maya’s teacher’s cluelessness feels a bit implausible, more like a plot device to steer the story in the right direction, but Maya’s righteous indignation is believable, and her corresponding activism will energize readers. Valdez gets into the spirit of things with her invigorating digital art: Maya and her multiethnic classmates and neighbors are colorful dressers with smiling faces, which fosters a sense that wherever Maya goes, a warm and ebullient community is there for her.
Another empowering outing led by a dynamic young role model. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
ISBN: 9780316561341
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2025
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