A young boy engages in innocent competition with his baby brother, with rewarding results. Brendan’s family is enthralled with his baby brother James’s accomplishments—so Brendan naturally gets into the act. When his Mom calls attention to Baby James’s smile, Brendan calls attention to himself by proving he, too, can smile. When Dad praises Baby James for being smart enough to roll over, Brendan has to show that he can roll over and over and over. When Baby James’s first burp wins Grandma’s praise, Brendan produces his own big burp. By the time Baby James takes his first tottering steps, it is Brendan who alerts everyone and discovers he doesn’t need to compete to get the best possible attention. Chambliss’s charming watercolors showcase Baby James’s development and Brendan’s normal sibling rivalry with gentle humor and affection. Perfect for big brothers and sisters who might be a tad worried that the new baby will outshine them. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2007
ISBN: 1-59078-322-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2006
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
A tot with a penchant for panache is at the center of this playful tale that celebrates marching to the beat of your own drummer. Nancy, a little girl enraptured by all things ornate, is dismayed by her family’s distinctly conventional tendencies. In her quest to convince her loved ones that the sundry trappings of the fabulous life are actually sheer necessities, Nancy embarks upon a campaign of family beautification by offering fancy living instructions. O’Connor deftly conveys Nancy’s precocious yet disarming delivery: Nancy is a hoot and her fashion-first message will resonate with many budding divas among the preschool set. Glasser’s vivacious, vividly colored illustrations capture the exuberance with which tiny fashonistas embrace the life of the glitterati. Aspiring converts to Nancy’s tony lifestyle will find Glasser’s humorous depictions of Nancy in all her glory inspirational, whether she’s dressed for the evening or making over her family. The poignant message about love needing no embellishment adds a heartwarming touch to this fun-filled tale. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-06-054209-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2005
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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