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LOVE AROUND THE WORLD

Name: LOVE AROUND THE WORLD
Author: Fleur Pierets
ISBN: 978-1-64442-005-8

by Fleur Pierets ; illustrated by Fatinha Ramos ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 12, 2019

Moving and inspiring.

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A real-life LGBTQ love story inspired this picture book.

When Fleur and Julian fall in love and decide to get married, they discover that because they are both women, this is possible in only 28 of the world’s 195 countries. They decide to travel around the world to celebrate their nuptials in each of these nations, starting with Julian’s native Netherlands. Each subsequent spread depicts the women in different countries that sanction and affirm their union: the U.S., Brazil, Australia, France, Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, Canada, Spain, Iceland, Finland, and Mexico. Each spread shows Fleur and Julian joyfully celebrating in festive settings, often with other couples around them. The art has a graphic, flat quality that makes the most of the rainbow palette in scenes that could translate to postcard or poster images, and the text highlighting fairness, safety, and pride helps make the adult institution of marriage accessible to young readers. While the concluding scene leaves readers on a hopeful note, with the happy couple determined to travel to the other 15 countries, the backmatter shows a photograph of the real couple and reveals that Julian died of brain cancer shortly after they began their wedding tour around the world. This book realizes their dream.

Moving and inspiring. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Nov. 12, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-64442-005-8

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Six Foot Press

Review Posted Online: Nov. 23, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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MY DAY WITH GONG GONG

by Sennah Yee ; illustrated by Elaine Chen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 8, 2020

A multilayered, endearing treasure of a day.

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Spending a day with Gong Gong doesn’t sound like very much fun to May.

Gong Gong doesn’t speak English, and May doesn’t know Chinese. How can they have a good day together? As they stroll through an urban Chinatown, May’s perpetually sanguine maternal grandfather chats with friends and visits shops. At each stop, Cantonese words fly back and forth, many clearly pointed at May, who understands none of it. It’s equally exasperating trying to communicate with Gong Gong in English, and by the time they join a card game in the park with Gong Gong’s friends, May is tired, hungry, and frustrated. But although it seems like Gong Gong hasn’t been attentive so far, when May’s day finally comes to a head, it is clear that he has. First-person text gives glimpses into May’s lively thoughts as they evolve through the day, and Gong Gong’s unchangingly jolly face reflects what could be mistaken for blithe obliviousness but is actually his way of showing love through sharing the people and places of his life. Through adorable illustrations that exude humor and warmth, this portrait of intergenerational affection is also a tribute to life in Chinatown neighborhoods: Street vendors, a busker playing a Chinese violin, a dim sum restaurant, and more all combine to add a distinctive texture.

A multilayered, endearing treasure of a day. (glossary) (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-77321-429-0

Page Count: 36

Publisher: Annick Press

Review Posted Online: June 29, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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PAPÁ'S MAGICAL WATER-JUG CLOCK

by Jesús Trejo ; illustrated by Eliza Kinkz ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 6, 2023

Gleefully fun.

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Is little Jesús prepared for the awesome responsibility of managing Papá’s magical water-jug clock?

Hooray, it’s Saturday! Jesús can help his gardener father with the family business. Jesús is tasked with taking care of the water jug, which, according to Papá, is “also a magical clock. It tells us how much work is left to do!” Jesús gets ready as Mamá reminds them “to drink lots of agua.” Piling into their trusty van with its supplies and intoxicating smell of gasoline, oil, and “yesterday’s cut grass,” Jesús and Papá head out. First stop: the Saldañas’ house, where Jesús gives water to some thirsty old cats, Papá, and himself (and splashes some water on his face) while Papá tends to the lawn. At Juan-Diego’s super big house with its tiny dog, Jesús hands out lots of water to everyone (plus two face splashes) to ward off the heat. By Stop Número Tres, the magical water-jug clock is out of water. Time to go home? But there are still 11 more houses to go. Oh no! Where did Jesús go wrong? A marvelous portrait of a working-class Latine family, Trejo’s picture-book debut, inspired by his own childhood experiences, brims with humorous, childlike observations. Anchored by its pint-sized mischief-maker, this tale of a loving father-son relationship radiates pure warmth. Kinkz’s scrappy watercolor-blended artwork bursts with bright colors and amusing details, matching its tiny hero’s chaotic spirit. Publishes simultaneously in Spanish. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Gleefully fun. (Picture book. 4-8)