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BABY TALK

Name: BABY TALK
Author: Fred Hiatt
ISBN: 0-689-82146-8

by Fred Hiatt ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1999

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Importuned by the incomprehensible cries of his baby brother, Joey turns to his other family members to decipher their meaning, preferring the role of an observer in the daily care of his sibling. However, a keen remark from Grandmother enlightens Joey and forges a special bond between the two youngest members of the household: “You spoke baby talk not so long ago.” After a few tentative phrases in baby gibberish, the siblings are happily communicating in their own language to their mutual delight. Soon Joey becomes the translator for the family, explaining the baby’s requests to the others. The transformation of Joey from reluctant toddler to loving brother is realistically, achingly rendered, saved from sentimentalism by the conversations and genuine affection that blossom between brothers. Graham’s incandescent illustrations complement and expand the text, making the flow of emotion between the siblings a nearly tangible element in their scenes. A blend of delicate hues and deep jewel tones suffused by a gentle light lends an ethereal quality to the images. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: May 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-689-82146-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: McElderry

Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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DEAR JUNO

by Soyung Pak ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1999

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Picture-book debuts for both author and illustrator result in an affectionate glimpse of intergenerational bonds. Juno loves to get letters in the red-and-blue bordered airmail envelopes that come from his grandmother, who lives in Korea, near Seoul. He cannot read Korean, but he opens the letter anyway, and learns what he can from what his grandmother has sent: a photograph of herself and her new cat, and a dried flower from her garden. When his parents read him the letter, he realizes how much he learned from the other things his grandmother mailed to him. He creates some drawings of himself, his parents, house, and dog, and sends them along with a big leaf from his swinging tree. He gets back a package that includes drawing pencils and a small airplane—the grandmother is coming to visit. The messages that can be conveyed without words, language differences between generations, and family ties across great distances are gently and affectingly handled in this first picture book. The illustrations, done in oil-paint glazes, are beautifully lit; the characters, particularly Grandmother, with her bowl of persimmons, her leafy garden, and her grey bun that looks “like a powdered doughnut,” are charming. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-670-88252-6

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
SUMI’S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL EVER
by Soyung Pak & illustrated by Joung Un Kim

- BOOK REVIEW
A PLACE TO GROW
by Soyung Pak & illustrated by Marcelino Truong

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ME AND MY FAMILY TREE

by Joan Sweeney ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1999

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PLB 0-517-70967-8 Me And My Family Tree (32 pp.; $13.00; PLB $14.99; May; 0-517-70966-X; PLB 0-517-70967-8): For children who are naturally curious about the people who care for them (most make inquiries into family relationships at an early age), Sweeney explains, with the assistance of a young narrator, the concept of a family tree. Photographs become understandable once the young girl learns the relationships among family members; she wonders what her own family tree will look like when she marries and has children. A larger message comes at the end of this story: not only does she have a family tree, but so does everyone in the world. Cable’s drawings clearly define the process of creating a family tree; she provides a blank tree so children can start on their own geneaology.(Picture book. 5-7)