A touching parable about human connection.
Grandpa has a surprise for young Lissy.
As the two take a walk, Grandpa reveals a wildly overgrown garden and hints at its past: “We have a lot of work to do, that’s true, but when we’re finished, you’ll see how beautiful it is. Just like it was once before.” That autumn, Grandpa and Lissy clear away dead leaves and weeds. When snow blankets the space in winter, they plan to repair the fence to keep out the hungry rabbits eyeing the garden. In spring, the pair continue working, and presto—soon there’s a “a blooming, vibrant garden, filled with sweet-smelling flowers.” Among them is lavender, the key to the garden’s past: It used to be Grandma’s. Lissy recalls the dried lavender that Grandma had hanging all around the house. Now the garden is Lissy’s—and a link to both grandparents. Originally published in Belgium and the Netherlands and translated from Dutch, this tale goes light on the specifics of gardening; despite Lissy telling Grandpa that she’d like to grow strawberries, peonies, and a cherry tree, we don’t see the pair purchasing seeds or saplings, and we don’t learn much about the work that they do, apart from removing dead leaves to allow the rosebuds beneath to sprout. The focus here is on the emotional impact of the garden, and that’s where Zanellato’s lovely, stylized, clear illustrations soar. Both Lissy and Grandpa are pale-skinned.
A touching parable about human connection. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 24, 2026
ISBN: 9798890633118
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clavis
Review Posted Online: April 6, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren.
In talk-show host Fallon and illustrator Ordóñez’s latest picture-book collaboration, an elderly pooch waxes rhapsodic about a life well lived.
Observing Papa sitting in his chair watching TV all day, a young pup says, “I’m starting to think…you don’t do ANYTHING.” So Papa proceeds to list his accomplishments, both big and small, mundane and profound. Some are just a result of being older and physically bigger (being tall enough to reach a high shelf and strong enough to open jars); others include winning a race and performing in a band when he was younger. Eventually, the pup realizes that while Papa may have slowed down in his old age, he’s led a full life. The most satisfying thing about Papa’s life now? Watching his grandchild take center stage: “I can say lots of thoughts / but I choose to be quiet. / I’d rather you discover things and then try it.” Fallon’s straightforward text is sweetly upbeat, though it occasionally lacks flow, forcing incongruous situations together to fit the rhyme scheme (“I cook and I mow, / and I once flew a plane. // I play newspaper puzzles because it’s good for my brain”). Featuring uncluttered, colorful backgrounds, Ordóñez’s child-friendly digital art at times takes on sepia tones, evoking the sense of looking back at old photos or memories. Though the creators tread familiar ground, the love between Papa and his little one is palpable.
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781250393975
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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