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LIFE AND I

Name: LIFE AND I
Author: Elisabeth Helland Larsen
ISBN: 978-3-89955-771-8

A STORY ABOUT DEATH

by Elisabeth Helland Larsen ; illustrated by Marine Schneider ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2016

Possibly the uncredited translation is what’s at issue here…but children struggling with the presence or fear of death are...

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In this Norwegian import, Death, a shrouded, doll-like figure with flowers at its temple, explains its place in the scheme of things.

Sonorously poetic as it is, its monologue is likely to leave readers more confused than comforted. First seen in Schneider’s somber illustrations as a dark-haired white figure riding a bicycle through a grove of turquoise trees, Death introduces itself: “I am Death. / Just as life is life, / I am death.” Uh, right. Many of its ensuing pronouncements are equally cryptic or illogical; it “may appear / in the haze that hovers / above the ocean, / or in a narrow strip / of moonlight” and comes “most often / to those with wrinkles.” “Sometimes I have to visit / many people in the same place,” it continues, carrying an armload of victims away from a burning town. “I also meet some / inside tummies.” “If I were to die,” it goes on, “who’d make way / for new dreams / and new words?”—an argument that might have found better visual expression than placing it amid retro puppets and toys. Toward the end, Death is joined by Life (shrouded in golden hair but otherwise a green-eyed, light-skinned twin), because the two “can be found in everything / that starts or stops.” Everything, apparently, except for Love, which “never dies, / even when it meets me.”

Possibly the uncredited translation is what’s at issue here…but children struggling with the presence or fear of death are unlikely to find relief in this elliptical treatment. (Picture book. 7-10)

Pub Date: April 1, 2016

ISBN: 978-3-89955-771-8

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Little Gestalten

Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
I AM LIFE
by Elisabeth Helland Larsen ; illustrated by Marine Schneider ; translated by Rosie Hedger

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LITTLE DAYMOND LEARNS TO EARN

by Daymond John ; illustrated by Nicole Miles ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2023

It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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THE JUNKYARD WONDERS

by Patricia Polacco & illustrated by Patricia Polacco ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2010

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Trisha is ready to start at a new school, where no one will know she has dyslexia. At first, she is heartbroken to be in Miss Peterson’s special-ed class, aka, “the junkyard.” But Miss Peterson treats the children as anything but junk, showing them that everyone has a unique talent. Polacco’s trademark style is fully present here; her sensitively drawn alter ego shines with depth of feeling. When bullying occurs, Miss Peterson proves her students are worthwhile by planning a junkyard field trip, where they find valuable objects to be used in exciting ways. Trisha’s group repairs a plane, and the class buys an engine for it. Then a beloved class member dies, and the children must find a way to honor him. While the plot meanders somewhat, the characters are appealing, believable and provide a fine portrayal of a truly special class. Children will be drawn in by the story’s warmth and gentle humor and will leave with a spark of inspiration, an appreciation of individual differences and a firm anti-bullying message, all underscored by the author’s note that concludes the book. (Picture book. 7-10)